MINSTREL CONCERT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 4

MINSTREL CONCERT.

Commercial Travellers Entertain. A successful minstrel concert was given by the Commercial Travellers’ Choir in the Radiant Flail on Saturday night. The concert was in aid of the Rotary Club’s Christmas hampers. The concert was given in traditional style. The choir had blackened faces, the corner-men were in gaily-coloured costumes, and Massa Johnson, as the interlocutor, sang the old and popular plantation melodies. The humorous jests of Mose, the quick repartee of Rastus, and the antics of Sambo and Ebeneezer, kept the audience well amused. Two humorous numbers were given by Frank Eller (Mose), “The Old Bassoon’’ and “Melons.’’ The items by the minstrels were “By the M« onligtit,” “De Ole Banjo,’’ “Kentucky Home,” “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah’’ (soloists, Mr F. Hawker), "Camptown Races” (soloist. Mr P. Caithness), “Shine, Shine Moon,” “Massa’s in de Ground,” and “Golden Slippers” (soloist, Mr J. Tennant). Solos were sung by Messrs A. Bassett, C. Milne, and K. Hore and Messrs H. F. Francis, E. Rogers, J. Tennant and' P. Caithness sang a quartette. Mr Allan Young was the interlocutor, Mr G. Russell was Rastus, Mr J. Tennant Ebeneezer, Mr F. A. Manning Sambo and Mr F. Eller Mose. The second part of the programme consisted of part songs and solos. The choral items were as follows: Glee, “On the March,’* “The Boy in Blue,” “Pussy’s In the Well” and “Tn Vocal Combat.” Under the cordurtorship of Mr Arthur Billy these items were excellently sung, the balance and tonal quality being good. Tn honour of the late Mr James Shaw, the club’s quartette, of which Mr J. Shaw was a member, sang Sullivan’s “The Long Day Closes.” The accompanists were Messrs Noel Newson. D. Davis and A. Billy. Mr Frank Shearer, who was lndis.posed, was unable to appear, and his place whs taken by Mr Rex Harrison, whose songs wore “Hills,” “Waves,” and “Song of the Flea.” Messrs H. J. Francis and P. Caithness sang a duet. “Serenade,” and Mr K. Hore “Chorus Gentlemen.” During 'he interval Mr W. G. Fernie. op behalf of the Rotary Club, thanked the Commercial Travellers’ Club and choir for their excellent concert.. The result, he uaid, would be of great’financial assistance in providing Christmas hampers for the poor. He gave some instances of the nocessitv for assisting with hampers and asked the audience to remember the appeal to be made on Friday, December It.