THE EDEN MINSTRELS AT DEVONPORT.
Last night the troupe of Eden Minstrels gave their entertainment, the " Refined Ethiopian Carnival," in the Devonport Hall, in aid of the Devonport Naval Artillery boatshed, under the patronage of the Mayor and Councillors, Captain Leßoy, and the officers and men of No. 1 Battalion, Auckland garrison. The hall was tilled by an audience who evinced thorough appreciation of the efforts of the clever performers. The entertainment commenced with an overture by the company, " Crown Diamonds," followed by a comic song, " Dinah Duck," by Mr. G. Armstrong. The ballad, " Only to see her face again." was very effectively rendered by Mr. H. White, the chorus by the company, by the excellent blending of the harmony giving proof of superior training, as well as the good natural voices of the company. " Duck-foot Sue," another comic effusion, was given in spirited style by Mr. C. James, and with its lively chorus evoked hearty applause. "Mother's last request," by Mr. Ibbertson, was heartily applauded ; and the double song and dance by Messrs. Seager and Maher showed them to be clever exponents of both arts. '* She's such a girl ! to laugh," by Mr. C. Weedon, evoked congenial laughter from the audience, and the more serious song, "Time will roll the clouds away," by Mr. H. Dean, was warmly applauded, and as was the case with several other items of the programme, greeted with loud demands for a repetition. Mr. C. White gave " Hush, little baby, don't you cry," a domestic sketch, which though perhaps not likely to be adopted for general use in the nursery, fully answered its purpose in pleasing the fancy of the audience. "Sing me the old songs again" was artistically rendered by Mr. VV. E. James, and was well supported by the carefully executed harmony of an effective chorus. "The darkies' wedding" by the company was heartily received, and the first part of the programme was brought to a conclusion by " The Devonport Police Force," which gave humorous and emphatic expression to a determination to " run 'em in." Under the efficient conductorship of Mr. Horace Dean, the "Conversationalist," the fun of the evening was never allowed to flag, the jokes and stoiies of the sable troupe being given in quick succession and in a pointed manner which kept the audience thoroughly amused. In the second part Messrs. Seager and Maher again proved their executive skill in a double sand jig. Mr. T. Williams effectively gave the ballad " True till death." " The Surprise Party" followed, by Messrs. G. Dennis, W. E. James, and C. Weedon, whose efforts both instrumental and vocal were met by loud expressions of pleasure by the audience. Mr. H. Dean's patriotic song " Britannia's Sons " was received with much applause, and a demand for an encore. The song, with banjo, "The Cuckoo,"! by Mr. G. Washington Dennis, was highly successful, the clever imitations introduced showing a rare and peculiar talent, leading to recalls until the singer was obliged to content the audience by simply bowing his acknowledgments, Mr. Maher in his acrobatic song and dance showed a form far beyond that of an ordinary amateur, and drew from the audience very enthusiastic marks of approbation. Mr. G, W. Spratt gave the national song, "Balaclava," and Messrs. Seager and Maher varied their previous performances by a cleverly executed double clog dance. The entertainment concluded with the amusing act, " Ebenezer'a visit to New York," by Messrs. W. E. James, C. White, J. Maher, 0. Annett, and C. Weedon, their farcical humour and lively acting evoking roars of laughter from the audience. Praise was well-earned by the orchestra, consisting of Messrs. J. H. Schwabe, A. J. Ellyett, A. Ellyett, W.Stewart, J. Veale, W. Armstrong, L. Eady, and H. Wilson. It was announced that the entertainment, which was throughout most successful, will be repeated at the Opera House on Saturday night.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7702, 29 July 1886, Page 5
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644THE EDEN MINSTRELS AT DEVONPORT. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7702, 29 July 1886, Page 5
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