CHRISTCHURCH AMATEUR ' MINSTRELS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9510, 4 September 1891, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH AMATEUR ' MINSTRELS.

Seldom is better singing heard than that' of the Christchurch Amateur Minstrels, last night, at the Theatre Royal. The programme included something to suit every taste, and was executed with a completeness which would have done credit, to professionals. In the first part the choruses were remarkably well sung, due attention being given to light and shade, and the jokes were well told, and some, at least, ' were new. The four corner men acquitted themselves in a manner which proved that they were not new to the business, and Mr Millar fulfilled the duties of the centre man very conscientiously. .The same gentleman in his song, “The Wonders of the Deep,” did justice to his splendid voice, and had to repeat the last verse in response to the enthusiastic applause of the audience. Mr E. R. Anderson was equally successful with “ Sweet Genevieve.” for which his sympathetic voice is specially adapted. Mr C. Edgar made quite a hit with the comic song, “ I Wish I Was Back in Alabama,” and had to repeat a verse in order to satisfy his admirers. In strong contrast to the humour of the lastmentioned song was Master C. Low a “ Mother’s With, the Angels There.” The . lad possesses a remarkably sweet voice, which he has been taught to use properly, his phrasing and expression being very good. He has to get rid of a certain peculiarity in pronouncing his vowels, and then he will leave very little for the' most captious critic to cavil at. He was complimented with an encore, and Mr Sugden narrowly escaped a similar compliment for his correct singing of “ She Hasn’t Kissed her Julius.” Mr H. Weir, who was musical director of the entertaininent, gave, with his usual taste and skilful execution, “ Again we Speak as we Pass By,” and had to respond to the inevitable encore. A very humorous sketch by Mr C. Edgar closed the first part. In the second part “Professor ArchBald” exhibited and lectured on the “ Talk-o-think-0-graph,” a capital travestie of the phonograph. Mr Weir followed with “Good Night, Farewell. Then the same gentleman, with Mr Edgar, gave the laughable sketch "Old Times,” and the entertainment concluded with “ The Musical Monomaniac,” a regular nigger absurdity. The Christchurch Septette Society did good service during the evening, playing the overtures and the accompaniments faultlessly. To-night the minstrels appear again in the same programme, and the good report of last night’s performance which will bo given by all who were present should ensure them a crowded house.