ENTERTAINMENT IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 35, 25 December 1885, Page 13

ENTERTAINMENT IN DUNEDIN.

An entertainment was given at the Princess Theatre. Danedin on Tuesday evening, in aid of the Irish Rifle Corps, by the Masher Minstrels, assisted by the GarrisoD Band. The Band opened the concert with a beautiful arrangement of Irish airs, which they performed in a very masterly manner— a most pleasing feature being the singing in chorus of the air "Come Back to Erin." They afterwards played a waltz in aa equally admirable style, reflecting much credit on their talented conductor Mr. Wishart, and proving their right to a high place in the musical world. The Minstrels gave a very enjoyable entertainment —their singing of a number of favourite songs arranged in parts and given as alternate solo and chorus was extremely charming, and met with the well-deserved applause ot tbe audience. The witicisms, besides, by which the intervals between the singin^ were filled up were remarkably good and amusing. A Sailors' hornpipe also danced by two gentlemen under the disguise of " black cooks," was admirably executed, and, if we mistake not, betrayed by its singular excellence the presence of a well-known local amateui and his pupil. A song in broken English by an ill-treated Frenco musician was also very clever, and a screaming farce carried out witb spirit completed a very pleasant entertainment. In the interval between the first and second parts Captain Callan came on tbe stage and thanked the audience for tbdr presence, claiming at the same time that the entertainment given was in a great degree their repayment. He also thanked the gentlemen of the Miuptrels' troupe, and Mr. Wishart with the Garrison Band, who had so kindly given their serricei. He added that the good will shown by other volunteer corps was particularly kind, especially that of the Highland Rifles. This corps also, he t-aid, were about to giv». an entertainment at an early data, and he hoped they would be well supported, and that all who were then present would try to further the interests of their undertaking.