ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1922, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE DIGGERS. A BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT. A bright programme in which humor predominated marked the opening performance of The Diggers at the Empire Theatre on Saturday night. They are not all the same Diggers who have brought such a wealth of amusement in the past (several old favorites have gone), but a few of the best are still there, and they have gathered around them some very clever colleagues. In some ways it is a better show than the original—there, is a more genuine riot of fun, for several of the newcomers are comedians, and really excellent comedians, too. Perhaps the vocalists are not. so good—the first Diggers who came here, contained some splendid voices—but taken altogether, they are a clever combination, and throughout the performance they bombard the audience with a fusillade of song, story and joke which shatters dullness and leaves the audience in a very happy frame of mind. A good feature was that everything was new—there were no complaints that “they did that last time”—and the scenery and dressing were ,splendid. There was a large audience (many could not obtain seats), and the performance is one of a merit which deserves* good patronage to-night and to-morrow. Of the individual performances, let it be said at the outset that Mr. Stan. Lawson (the misleading lady) is there. He is just as clever, as ever, and he has a lot of new dresses, which the ladies will describe as exquisite. His impersonation is as wonderful as ever. The comedians are Messrs. -Joe Valli, Frank Perryn, Frank Moran and Tano Fama, and in different ways they amuse with comic songs and stories. In his droll way, Mr. Joe Valli is an amusing Scotch comedian, and his finished acting and quaint humor put him on good terms with the audience. His song in the second portion of the programme, ’'Where's da Moon?” is a humorous refrain which will be remembered: while his character-study of a country railway porter was distinctly clever. Mr. Frank Perryn produced the Wilkie Bard touch in his song and “life-story” of the stagecleaner; lie had all the artistic equipment of a pantomime dame. With some clever Italian impersonations, Mr. Perryn showed his versatility. Mr. Frank Moran's reward for several humorous items was roars of laughter from the audience, his clever make-up and comical songs bringing an insistent demand for an encore whenever he appeared. Of Mr. Tano Fama it is sufficient to say he is as funny as ever. In a variety of ways —song, dances, etc. —the other members of the company combine to “keep things moving” brightly all the time. They are Messrs. Webber, Marshall, Dawson —and they are responsible for much of the success of the performance. Two clever sketches occupy most of the programme, and they are both well conceived vehicles to carry the company' along its successful road as real, genuine fun-makers.

EVERYBODY’S. “BITS OF, LIFE” TG-NIGHT. “Bits of Life” is a picture which is not only a decidedly refreshing novelty in the way of screen entertainment, but which is also a powerful and stirring revelation of life itself. The picture represents the combined efforts of four authors. The stories, which are linked up by one general theme, are presented in episode forms. They are: Thomas McMorrow’s “The Bad Samaritan,” Walter TruifibeU s “The Man Who Heard Everything,” Hugh Wiley’s “Hop,” and Marshall Neilan’s original story, “The Strange Adventure.” Among those who will be seen in this fascinating production, which is different from others in every respect, are Ix>n Chaney, Rockliffe* Fellowes, James Bradbury, jnr., Fred Burton, John Bowers, Wesley Barry, and Harriet Hammond. “Bits of Life” is packed with human interest from start to finish. Satire, comedydrama, melodrama, and farce combine to provide an entertainment that will long be remembered by all who see this remarkable production. The screening nights are to-iright and to-morrow, at Everybody’s.

THE PEOPLE’S. “THE MAN OF STONE.” The big Selznick screen spectacle, “The Man of Stone.” was screened to a big attendance at both sessions on Saturday. Conway Tearle, the popular Selznick star, is featured in the extraordinary role of Capt. Neville Deering, D.S.C., of the English Army. This intensely thrilling tale of romance and adventure offers Mr. Tearle an ideal setting, and one admirably suited to him —that of the British soldier in colonial service—vividly suggestive of Kipling and his “Soldiers Three,” of “Chinese” Gordon and the Sudan, with all that these pictures resurrect of Eastern color, mysticism, daring, love and spectacular background. And Mr. Tearle' has developed the varied possibilities of the principal role, as he, among few presentday actors, can.' The final screening takes place to-night. William Bussell will be featured to-morrow in “The Rooi Tree,’- a Fox feature.