MINSTREL AND VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 4669, 9 July 1936, Page 2

MINSTREL AND VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT.

SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE.

The minstrel and variety entertainment staged by a company of local artists played to a capacity house at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. The performance, which was held to raise funds for the benefit of the. school, proved to he an unqualified success and the funds should benefit to a considerable amount as a result.

The programme opened with the National Anthem, following which a medley of airs and the chorus of “Carry me hack to Old Virginny” were sung before the raising of the curtain to reveal a group of “niggers” in picturesque costumes, seated round their interlocutor, “Massa Johnson,” (Mr F. A. lirason).

Bright, rollicking choruses, interspersed with humorous skits, vocal solos by various members of the company, ipid an amusing interchange of cross patter, were well received by a highly appreciative audience. The following appropriate songs were sung: “Sing as we Go,” “Oh, Deni Golden Slippers,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Kentuelkly Home,” “De Old Banjo,” “Alexander’s Rag Time Band,” to the accompaniment of piano, tambourine and castinets.

The amusing interludes and mirth-creating antics of “Rastus,”. “Mo,” “Pete” and “Abe” kept the audience in a simmer of amusement throughout.

“Lily of Laguna” sung by Mr B. Hinds (“Rastus”) with the chorus by. the company was followed with an exhibition of the cake walk by Miss D. Hill-Rennie and Mr Hinds, which met with great applause. Mrs W. M. Thomas’s rendering of “The Little Alabama Coon,” found favour with the audience and Mrs J. T. Edwards, who was in extremely good voice, charmed all with her rendering of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” which was heartily encored. “River, Stay away from Mv Door,” sung by Mr V. B. Collins (“Pete”) and “Old Man River,” by Mr W. M. Thomas (“Mo”) were greatly enjoyed and “Fat Little Fellow with his Mammy’s Eyes,” sung by Mr C. Watkins (“Abe”) met with hearty applause and in response to the encore “Nancy Till” was rendered. A feature of tjie group were the little “nigger” boys and two items: “Uncle Ned,” and the old favourite “Polly Wolly Doodle,” were sung exceptionally well with sweetness and harmony which delighted the audience. One of the outstanding items of the evening was an exhibition of tap dancing by Miss Hill-Rennie. The dance showed exceptional talent and Miss Rennie was called upon to respond to a vociferous encore.

The eloping chorus “Good Night” brought to. a conclusion the first half of an entertaining programme, and it was with regret that patrons heard the final chorus sung by the company who with their typical costumes, blackened faces and characteristic antics, had provided amusement such as is not often available in Foxton.

The first item of the second half of the programme was a Hawaiian ballet, the members of which had been trained by Miss D. Hill Rennie, who is to be congratulated on the excellence of this number. The curtain rose on the scene of six Hawaiian “belles” clad in picturesque native costumes. The ballet was executed with rhythm and grace to ukelele music and had to respond to a double encore. Miss Hill Rennie’s solo dance in this number was particularly pleasing. Those in the ballet were’ Misses V. Botaroff, 0. SaviH, R. Thane, A. Ban-on, J. Banmn and B. Walls.

Following this item the Avellknown favourite of “Ten Little Nigger Bovs” was sung by ten young members of the company and this contribution was also very well received.

The musical accompaniment throughout the programme was supplied by Messrs J. T. Edwards and L. Mattar and the ukelele accompaniment for the Hawaiian ballet was played by Messrs’ L. Mattar and V. B. Collins. The concluding item on the programme was a mirth provoking sketch entitled “Box and-Cox.” The characters in this were admirably sustained by Mi’ Bert Hinds (Mr Box); Mr C. Watkins (Mr Cox); and Mrs D. R, Barron (Mrs Bouncer). The play Avas brimful of laughter provoking situations. The termination of this play brought to a close a most entertaining evening and those responsible for the organisation of the concert are to be commended on the very successful function.

A dance, Avhich was held in the supper room, was Avell attended* by the young people and dancing, to music supplied by Mr L. Mattar, Avas indulged in to a late hour. Mr W. M. Thomas carried out the duties of M.C.