THE DIGGERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1922, Page 5

THE DIGGERS.

A RETURN VISIT. Visits from that well-known costume comedy party, The Diggers, have been frequent, and the all-round excellence of the entertainments they have presented ensures good houses to welcome them. They are back again. They opened a two-nights’ season at the Empire on Saturday, and a crowded house expressed in generous applause appreciation of a varied programme of songs, dances and scenas.

The programme followed the lines which have become familiar by visits of many similar companies, and many of the old favorites in The Diggers wers assisted by one or two new members to provide an enjoyable programme They are not as strong as the original Diggers, but the programme contained many excellent items. The humorous element, which one looks for in a strongly developed form in this class of I entertainment, is not so good or so varied as in the earlier Diggers, but Mr. Joe Valli is there to carry the bulk of this work, and in his quaint way he does it remarkably well. He was supported by Mr. Frank Moran. Mr. Stan Lawson is still the “lady” of the company, and his elever impersonation has lost none of its artistic qualities. Mr. Gus. Dawson and Mr. Fred Webber are clever dancers, and the character dancing sketch “The Scarecrow” was cleverly done by Mr. Dawson. The quartette (Messrs. Webber, Jeffs, Beeby and Moran) is a good one, .and they could well be included on the programme more than once. Mr. Stan Jeffs is a new member of the company, and he baa • pleasant tenor voice. The scenas were well produced and cleverly acted. The programme will be repeated tonight.