“BRAN PIE”

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1921, Page 5

“BRAN PIE”

ANOTHER LARGE AUDIENCE. LAST PERFORMANCE TO-NIGHT. It was a well-satisfied crowd that wended its way home from the Empire Theatre list night, after the New Plymouth Courtiers Costume Comedy* Company had presented their “Bran Pie” revue for the second time. That the Courtiers’ reputation as entertainer* had preceded the presentation of their work was shown by the fact that the theatre was packed to the doors, and many failed to gain admission, but the fortunate ones who did secure accommodation were treated to a bright, crisp entertainment, and the company of twelve players presented vocal choruses, ensembles, dances and comic sketches in pleasing variety. The staging and dressing were splendid, and the revue went with a swing from the time ‘*the lid was lifted” till “the pie was finished”. The same programme was presented a* at the first performance. Alf North, Will Okey, Ashley Macdonald, Ron. Macdonald, Allan Brooker and Fred Hooker were heard in solos and in concerted numbers, of which the most popular were “She’s the Pride of the Pier” (assisted by Mrs. Birch-Johnston), “The Bachelor Gay”, “Chu Chin Chow” and “A-Hunting We Will Go”. The comic element wa* well catered for by Mrs. Birch-Johnston and Basil Hartman, assisted by George Lambert. In the motor-car episode the two former had the audience in screams. The other artists were Mrs. Macdonald, who sang most effectively “Drift Into the Land ?f Nod”, and Mamie Ellis and Marjory Mouat, who, beside* assisting in the chorus work, executed some dainty and intricate dances, which evoked unstinted applause. In “A Little Bit of Scandal” “The Bhoys” gave utterance to some very clever local “hits”, which were greatly appreciated. The revue concluded with a scene in a Fitzroy roof garden, in which the whole company appeared. The three-night season of “Bran Pie” ends to-night, after which Waiter* and Inglewood wfll*ta yiaited.