“BRAN PIE”

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1921, Page 5

“BRAN PIE”

NEW PLYMOUTH AMATEURS r A SUCCESSFUL REVUE. 1 A highly favorable impression wha made by the New Plymouth Courtiers’* Costume Comedy Company at the Km* pire Theatre last night, when they madch L their debut in the revue, ‘ Bran Pie,’* b before a large audience. Summed up ib . is a bright, clean, entertainment with m pervading crisp humor and items thatf . have the recommendation of good qua)4 ' ; cy. “Bran Pie” is well presented after; ihe manner of revue work, and the com* l pany also provide quantity in a pro-» , gramme of twenty-four items. These . are well staged, the scenery and cus- , turning being tastefully selected, and both play their part in the good effect , obtained. Vocal choruses, comic inters , ludes, and other “dips in the pie” are i j arranged in pleasing variety. The “Cheoro” chorus opens the com* : pany s repertoire, and the fun is kepq up throughout. “The Bhoys” indulge in| “A Little Bit of Scandal,” and refer# ences to town topics contained therein! were clever and well placed, and duljj appreciated by the audience. In huznj orous sketches Mrs. Birch-Johnson and Mr. Basil Hartman provided a weaßß of fun. “A Cranky One and You 'Autity Like It,” as the title implies, was af burlesque with a motor flavor, whichi was well maintained, while "A Few Im-s pressions of Daily Life,” were ed with skill. “There’s Safety in Nuhh bers” was demonstrated by Alf. NortM and company in the presentation of “if Bachelor Gay.” Mrs. Birch-Johnson waa very successful in the highly amusind items, “Oh Boys She Wants Someone ta Love Her,” and “They Go Wild Oven Me,” the reception given indicating that? the numbers were heartily welcomed “She’s the Pride of the Pier” was anoJ ther in this series. There was a pleasing and artiitid rendering of “Gone Are the Days,” bd the Courtiers’ quartette, Fred. HookerJ Will Okey, Alf. North, and Ashley donald. A well-balanced did full justice to this item, and the) “4 C’s” were also responsible for a good rendering of “Simple Simon” chorusj which was an adjunct to “Prices are| Falling,” a sketch opened by Geo. Lam#; bert and Basil Hartman. “Mephistop'hi#| les’ Serenade” (Faust) was sung by. Ashley Macdonald, whose voice wasj heard to good effect in this classic* There was a. pleasant scene woted round the “Dream Boat” song, whichf was rendered by Mrs. Macdonald an® company. This performer also gavd “Listen to the Flutes of Arcady,” and, with Will Okey, appeared in the duet' “The Day is Done,” which also create® ft good impression. The company has a very graceful dancer in Mamie Ellis, who«e portrayal the “Loin de Bal” was charmingly carried out. In the duo “Charmeuse’’ (Pierrot and Pierette) she had an able? partner in Marjorie Mouatt, and tho pair were given a hearty eneore. A hunting burlesque by Alf. North, Basij Hartman, and Ashley Macdonald, gavel the trio an opportunity to indulge in some effectitve “banter.” “Okey by Will Okey and company, introduced a catchy Dutch air, and the careful of their reputation for variety, again altered their choice of nationality, when Ashley Macdonald appeared in “Chu Chin Chow” song with Geo. Laim bert. Ron Macdonald sang “A Farewell in the Desert,” an item which wm tastefully staged. Land of Love?, as interpreted by Allan Brooker, waa well received, the vocalist being sup# ported by a bird obligato from Birch-Johnson. The “last dip” was “Life in a Fitiroy Roof Garden,” and it provided a coupla of pleasing scenes, in addition lo soma comedy work, the choruses being? “Smoke Clouds” and “Swanee.” “Brant Pie ’ was well supported by the Courtiers’ orchestra, under the directorship of Mr. F. W. G. McLeod. The joint producers, Ashley Macdonald and Basil Hartman were responsible for the and the business management was un-. der the care of Mr. H. C. Collier, The stage managers were Messrs. H. Moon and F. Hooker. The performance will be repeated tonight and to-morrow night, and the company also appears at Inglewood and Wait&ra later