ENGLISH MASQUERADERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1921, Page 5

ENGLISH MASQUERADERS.

A BRIGHT COMPANY

New Plymouth has been visited by numerous costume comedy companies, the majority of them providing splendid entertainment, but few have met with such quick success as the English Masqueraders, who opened a two nights season in the Empire Theatre last night before a crowded audience. Every item of the lengthy and varied programme, which ranged from grave to gay and from operatic selections to potted comedy, was from the opening chorus to the grand finale highly entertaining, and evoked the unstinted applause of the audience, who were insistent in demanding recalls. There was not one dull moment throughout the evening, and the Masqueraders should have another good “house” this evening. Miss Gwen Lester, who is the possessor of a beautiful soprano voice, which she uses to advantage, was recalled for her singing of “The Waltz Song from Tom Jones.” Miss Clarice Norman’s rich voice was heard with very pleasing effect in “Still as the Night,” and also in a pretty little encore number. “Cloze Props” was rendered with telling effect by Mr. Lance Fairfax, the baritone of the company, who gave as pn encore “The Trumpeter.” Mr. Leslie Jephett’-s tenor solo, “I’ll Sing Thee Songs of Araby,” was insistently encored, and he responded with “Bonnie Mary of Argyle.” Comedy plays a considerable part in the entertainment, and it is all bright and sparkling. Miss Winnie Lee is a charming soubrette, and she captivated her audience in “I Want to be Somebody’s Baby,” “Come on Papa,” and other numbers. Miss Nellie McGuire, a bright commedienne, was best in “A Southern Wedding Morn,” “Mr. Jazz has Gone Away” and “I Want to Go Back to the Continent.” Miss Ethel Hartley is the third of a brilliant trio, and her items, “I Do Love You,” with Geo. Wright, and “My Heart is in the Hielands,” which formed the basis of the elaborate finale, proved irresistible. One has to hear the comedians to fully appreciate them. Their humor is droll and their songs and stories thoroughly entertained the audience, which found the song and story of Leslie Gordon, the fe\v minutes’ hilarity with Leslie Holmes, and the merry moments with Norman Leslie all too short. The concerted numbers by the company were good, as were also |he sketches and musical farces. The violin solo “Gipsy Life,” by Foley Westwood, showed him -a master of his instrument. The entre acte by the orchestra, “Oh by Jingo,” took the audience by storm, a vociferous encore being demanded. The staging was splendid, though the limitations of the stage room prevented one or two turns from being staged. The costuming was in keeping with the general excellence of the entertainment. To-night the Masqueraders will piake their final appearance in New Plymouth.