THE RINGAROOMA MINSTRELS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5501, 28 February 1896, Page 2

THE RINGAROOMA MINSTRELS.

There was a very large audience at the Opera House last night, when the Minstrel Troupe formed from the crew of H.M.S. Eingarooma gave a performance in aid of the Hospital Destitute Patients' Relief Fund. The performance was more than equal to what might reasonably have been expected, considering the conditions under which the troupe is carried on. The vocal solos were sung in very creditable style, and, as a rule, with considerable feeling. The choruses, which formed one of the best features of the entertainment, were given with power, vigour and tunefulness. The jokes of the corner men, if not all new, nor all propounded in the clearest of tones, were absolutely unexceptionable, and proved decidedly mirth-provoking. In the " chair business," songs, sentimental and comic, were sung by H. Seeker, F. Roberts, G. Veitch, H. Ayres, A. Wonnicott, C. Bloys, A. Miller, F. French, F. Godfrey and W. J. Burns. H. Seeker and W. Fury acted as "tainbos," B. Tydesley and J. Littleford as "bones," and W. J. Burns was "Massa Johnson." In the second part, H. Seeker and A. Wonnicott were encored for the highly comic duet " Lazy Nigs," as were F. Carey and Carnall for a very creditably-played mandolin duet, F. Godfrey and A. Wonnicott for an equally well-rendered banjo duet, and F. Frearson and Carnall for their exceedingly good clog dancing. Songs were sung by C. Bloys, W. J. Burns and F. Eoberts. . A nigger farce concluded the programme. Two overtures were capitally .played by a local orchestra, which also assisted in the accompaniments. !