MAMMOTH MINSTRELS,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1740, 28 September 1887, Page 2

MAMMOTH MINSTRELS,

Although the weather last night was nny thing but favorable, a full house greeted the first appearance in Hawera of the Mammoth Minstrels and Specialty Organisation. Tlie curtain rose before six seated ladies arid four colored cornermen. The scene thus presented had the effect of at once winning the favor of the audience. After an introductory overture by the company, Miss Violet Kingsley (soprano) sang the waltz &ong, " Come, buy my flowers," which was encored. A patter comic song, " The windy man from Melbourne," given by Mr. Delowry, wa9 very amusing, and an encore demanded. Mr. Fred. Turner (tenor) then sang the ballad, " Papa'H baby boy." •' Put on the golden sword," by Mr. Charles Faning, was the best of the comic set, and received an encore. After one or two more comic items, Miss Amy Blackie (contralto) sang the pathetic ballad, " The fishermau and his child," which was deservedly encored. This lady is the possessor of a powerful, sweet voice, with an apparent sliglit foreign accent which gives to her singing a peculiar zest. Miss Ruby Clifford appeared to be quite at home as interlocutrix. Between the .songs, the corner men created much laughter by their witty and humorous original conversation. An amusing skating contest concluded the first part of the piogramme. "The fat boys," ia their imitation of three amateurs making their first appearnnce in a clog dance, were very merry, and caused a good deal of amusement. Miss Ruby Clifford sang the seriocomic, " No fear," and, in response to an encore, gave " Don't you think they iike it." Mr. Charles Faning then spoke anil sang a series of parodies, abd was also loudly encored. The next item was the peformance of the Woodward Brothers in their acrobatic aud statuette feats, some of which were extraordinarily clever, and were duly appreciated. Miss Amy Blackie sang " The powder monkey ;" Misses R. Clifford and Josephine Smith, song and dance, " Those roughish laughing eyes ;" and Mr. Cottier a comic song ; all of which had to respond. Messrs. Delowry, Craydon, and Holland danced together with wonderful precision, a feature in connection with this being step-dancing to waltz time. A farce, entitled " Thompson's dead," was the last item on the programme. Altogether the performance, though rather long, was one of variety that must have suited all tastes. The company promise to return in the course of a week or two, when a changed programme will be presented.