BURNT CORK

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 335, 9 May 1885, Page 15

BURNT CORK

Those highly popular "niggers," the "Waitemata Ministrels, gave one of their ■enjoyable entertainments at the Theatre .Royal, on Tuesday evening, in aid of the ■funds for enlarging St. Thomas' Church. 'There was, as a matter of course, a big attendance ; indeed some professional companies we wot of that have visited Auckland would have turned green with envy to see the house drawn by " our boys." The overture and opening chorus by the company was first-rate. Mr F. Bartley then sang '* Kiss me and I'll go to sleep,' but as nobody -complied with his request, he remained <awake ; : indeed, the applause that followed .Ms pretty song would have awakened the sleepers themselves. ' Sweet roses will bloom again. ' was well sung by Mr A. .Bartley, and Mr W. Edwards, also in the :rose line, gave ' "When the roses were in •bloom.' 'My home beyond the tide ' was •exquisitely sung by Mr W. George, who [possesses a splendid baritone. ' Ruby ' was .nicely given by Mr Spry, while Mr R. W. <Seeats appeared quite at home ' Here upon •joiy vessel's deck. J Mr W. Edwards asked "* Alice where art thou without eliciting a xeply, although his song elicited con■siderable applause. The comic ditties, •-comprising ' I will shout, I will sing ' (Mr M. Kirby), 'Duck-foot Sue' (Mr H. Harigrave), 'Is it likely' (Mr White), and 'A •raspberry tart' (Mr T. Leedham), were all "ihighly appreciated. The military sketch, •* The Mounted Foot Brigade,' by Messrs White and Hargrave, was an immense hit, •and 'brought down the house'— the discharge of the gun introduced very nearly ■did at all events. Messrs Riley Bros. ' double song and dance was grotesque in vthe extreme, and the farce, * Ebenezer's Tlsit to New York,' in which the parts were ••sustained by Messrs T. Lieedham, H. Har;grave, W. George, J. Spry, and H. Whiie, sent ■fweryone home in good humour. We trust -tfife entertainment will materially help to forward ■ the object it was intended to tbenefit.