THEATRE ROYAL.

COGILL BROS.' NEW MINSTRELS. In spite of the unfavourable weather there was a full house at the Theatre Royal last evening, when Cogill Bros. New Minstrels opened their present season. The pit and stalls were crammed, and the circle was well filled. The Company brings a high reputation from Australia, and that it is well deserved was shown by the enthusiastic applause which greeted the various items on' a comprehensive programme last evening. The "burnt-cork " business is entirely confined to the cornermen, and the curtain rises on a gorgeouslyadorned stage, on which acme fifteen artists of both sexeß are seated, with Mr Alf Holland, representing the grandfather of the family, as interlocutor. Mr Charles Cogill, as Pete, gave some very clever business with two tambourines, and Mr James Wilkinson made a very good " Bones." Many of the jokes had the merit of being quite new to Christchurch, and nothing approaching the vulgar was allowed to intcude. After the usual routine. Miss Amy Johns sang a pretty ballad, "The Love Test," some novel effects being introduced into the chomp. Mr Alf Holland, who possesses, a well-trained baritone iroice with a goicfd range, gave the descriptive song "Here TJpon My Vessel's Deck." Mr J. Wilkinson's comic song, "I'll Give HimTa-ra-ra," was a very amusing number, and suited the popular taste. The mandolin tsolo by Miss Eunice Fernandez showed 'that the lady possesses considerable skill with the- instrument, her medley of popular airs including some difficult variations. Miss Dora Busch's rendering of the ballad "The Sweetest Song of All" gave full scope to her powerful eoprano voice; and Mr Charles Cogill's comic song, " Didn't Like to Mention It," fairly brought down the house. Mies Laura Roberts was Buffering from ; the effects of a bad cold, which prevented her being heard to advantage in the pretty waltz song " Lovers and Friends." The whole of the above items were encored, some of the artists having to respond to double recalls. The second part opened with some clever contortion business by Mr Fred Garnett, after which Mr Harry Cogill displayed considerable vocal and dramatic ability in the descriptive scena *' The End." Misses Roberts and Busch sang an amußing duo, " The Same Thing Over Again," in which a number of popular airs are cleverly introduced. Mr Jack Evans' skilful clog dancing was much admired, and then came the lady violinist, Miss Katherine Vincini, who played in a popular style a selection of airs with variations, showing a good deal of command over her bow. She was vociferously encored, and responded with another equally good performance. The Cogill Bros, then amused the audience with some of their quaint nigger comicalities, and four young ladies performed a pas de quatre, in which they exhibited some very graceful skirt - dancing. Mr Slade Murray, whose reputation does not belie him, treated the audience to three of his character songs, which are well-known on the London stage, hiß efforts being greeted with deafening applause. The programme concluded with the amusing farce Shadowed, in which the characters were well sustained. The entertainment, which is one of the best of its kind that has been Been here, will be repeated this evening.