AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1371, 2 July 1874, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

THE CALIFORIAN MINSTRELS,

The opening concert of this company of minstrels at the City Hall last night must be pronounced a great success. "Coming events cast their shadows before," wrote Thomas Campbell, and this poetic axiom was verified last evening in the performances of the Californian Minstrels. Their fame had preceded them, and the hundreds of attendant witnesses were gratified in the happy realisation of their expectations. There is no lack of numbers, nor of power, nor of music in this well-ordered company ; nor is there any want of variety for the satisfaction of every taste. The introductory overture was excellent, and the baas song "Let all obey," a fine piece extracted from the " Enchantress," was given with much effect by Mr E. Emery. The pretty ditty by Mr Rockefeller, "Mamma, where has Baby gone ?" was rendered in that simple seemly style which the ballad requires. The comic ballad, "Goodbye, Eliza Jane," by Harry Kelly, was given with humour, and his popularity secured him an encore. The gem of the evening, however, was " I am waiting- my Darling for thee, "by Mr. Campbell. This gentleman - possesses a rich baritone voice and remarkable clearness of enunciation. The performances of Messrs. Sutton and Mason were equally good. The chorus of the " Bells" was a capital finish to the first part of the programme. The refrain of " The Bells go a-ringing for Synder" seemed to revive some fond recollections on the part of the audience, and the curtain fell to loud applause. During a portion of the interval the orchestra played some choice selections. The second part opened with "The Champagne Chorus," by Messrs Mayor, Rockefeller, Campbell and Amery. This was a spirited performance, and took well, both time and expression being excellent. The "Watermelon Man," a comic sketch by Mr Harry Kelly, was not so much noticeable for its wit as for the clever dancing which it gave Mr Kelly an opportunity for displaying. A humourous scene, entitled " First round for John," was exceedingly laughable. * The audiences were convulsed throughout, and expressed their gratification in loud rounds of cheering at the finish. Mr Rodkefeliow, after this, gave what may undoubtedly be pronounced the most artistic performance of the evening, viz., a banjo.solo. This was a wonderful piece of execution, and was an instance of what power may be gained over an instrument by the combination of talent and assiduity. The fine old Nigger melody "There's somebody in the house with Dinah" was prominent in this, and the fine effects produced by the performer in throwing the sound of his instrument away from him were as admirable as any feature of the evening. Mr Charles Sutton, in his songs and. dances, was encored—a guarantee of his having given satisfaction. Mr Hermann rendered a violin solo with great breadth of tone and some beautiful pianissimos. His . execution is masterly, and his command over the instrument perfect. The evening concluded with •■ Kill Trovatore," a burlesque on the favorite opera. Six of the company took characters in this, while the rest of the members assisted in the chorus. The "Anvil Chorus," of which the selections mainly consisted, was very effective. Mr Rockefeller's alto solo of " Home to our Mountains," was sung so well that the fact of its being a burlesque was almost forgotten. The whole entertainment i of a class very superior to the ordinary ' ran of the negro business, and will we prophecy take well in Auckland. We are unable to say why it is, but it is undoubtedly the truth that when every other class of mtertaiament goes flat a good negro performance never fail 3to attract large crowds. To those of our readers who are of the popular turn of mind we say go, and your sides, we promise you, will ache, after an evening at the City Hall with the Californian Minstrels.

PRINCE OF WALKS THEATRE. The repetition of the performances of Mr fi -T^Ws Magnet Troupe was given last evenv(yf^Sf*i' the same success as on previous "\|s^?^Q|^; and was fairly attended, notwith-Y^-r^^g several counter attractions. The TlOUUiaLib drama, " The Happy Pair," a very laughable performance, in which Miss and Master Foley took the leading characters, went with eclat. The representations of this young pair are greatly to their credit. The " boneless yeuth" was again triumphant in his peculiar and really wonderful exhibition. The scenes will be repeated this evening. ponsonby hall.

A grand secular concert will be given tomorrow (Friday) evening in the Ponsonby Hall by the newly-organised district musical society, conducted by Mr Mitchell. The selections for the occasions are of a very choice dep«ription, and no doubt the hall will be crkj^ed by love# of music and song. 'mks Mitchell's concert. . This eminent local vocalist will give her grand concert this evening at the Devonportf Hall, North Shore, at eight o'olook, and

, judging from the programme which is of a very choice characterise® selected with excellent judgment from %ne best authors and composers, we feel sure* ih«t the people of North Shore will have*Js;jnusical and intellectual treat of no mean order. Mrs Mitchell has been Jong known amongst us, and her labours in her* profession for the general good of the comUMinity are too wellknown need any eulogium from us at the present moment. .We simply recommend her concert to lovers of the beautiful in music an^L song with confidence, and trust the Devonport Hall will be crowded to-night. THE CIRCUS TROUPE. The noted Siamese and Asiatic Circus, consisting of forty artistes, including male and female equestrians, lilliputian ponies, trickhorses, and the Siamese juveniles, will open to-night in the mammoth pavilion, Market Reserve. We understand that this circus is one of the best that has appeared in New Zealand, their performances having met with great success in numerous other cities and provincial towns.