NOVELTY MINSTREL TROUPE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1383, 14 May 1881, Page 2

NOVELTY MINSTREL TROUPE.

Ax eutortainmenfc wms givea in the Oddfellaws' Hall by the " Waikato Lady and Gentlemen Novelty Minstrel Troupe" the evening of Thursday. Although not a crowded house the attendance was numerous, tho available sitting accommodation being fully occupied. Tho performance is ceitainly a novelty, and is said by its promote to be the fir-t " Amateur Lady and Gentleman Minstrel Trmpe"ever brought forward in New Zealand. The programme consisted of three distinct paits. Part one had a kind of seminigger character about it, two conventional " corner men " disguised in lampbl.ick and extravagant .shift frills, the other proformera, six in number, all retained their natural hue. The more noticable portions of the programme were a song "Silver threads among the Gold," and, at a Liter stage of the proceeding "Thy FacV by Mi«s Vaughan, both of which were executed with taste and good feeling. In the one instance the singer was accorded hearty applause, and in the other an equally hearty encore, to which sho giaeefully responded. Mrs Clarke, a promising young sin^ei, with a sweet voice, but uithor low tor a range like that of tho Oddfellows' Hall, sang "Ellen Biyne" and "Good-bye Uarhng Kiss Me," each of which were well received by the audience. In the performance of iliss Tremaiiip, another of the lady vocalists, a considerable amount of expectation appeared to centre. Although comparatively speaking a stranger to the district, it is quite understood she has already established for herself superior claims in respect of musical talent. In part one, she sang " Don't Forget to Write," and although situated at considerable disadvantage so far as effect was concerned, the execution was admirable. She possesses a fine clear contralto voice, with good range and under good control. In part two, she sang "Rocked in the Cradle of Deep," and in this Miss Tremaine must have been badly advised. The song is well-known to be a speciality in itself, demanding a deep bass voice, nothing approaching to which, in this instance, the singer possesses. To meet the deficiency, &he assumed a falsesetto, which gave the execution thioughout a palpably spurious appearance. If well advised in future, shfc will avoid music of this class, or the chances arc, she will destroy an otherwise really excellent voice. Miss L Phillips' songs, "Come Birdie Come" and "Little Footsteps," were well rendered." Mr Waters, as tambo, acquitted himself admirably, and the song and dance by Messrs Clarke and Waters was loudly applauded. Mr Jolmstone sang " Still I could not say I loved her" in a very pleasing style. The remainder of the programme consisted of a laughable farce, "The Irish Emigrant in Zealand,"' the whole concluding with a ball, which was well attended. Defects in the performance, which certainly were observable, are paid to be attributable, in a great measure, to laxity on the part of the pianist, who neglected to attend the rehearsal on the previous night, and who was in consequence insufficiently acquainted with the duties he had to perform. Some blame ia also attributable to the person who tuned the piano, as the instrument was not up to concert pitch.