BLACK STAR MINSTRELS' ENTERTAINMENT, TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 42, 5 August 1892, Page 27

BLACK STAR MINSTRELS' ENTERTAINMENT, TEMUKA.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

July 20, 1892. As I predicted in my last letter, the entertainment given by this troupe proved most enjoyable. The programme, which in its entirety was a happy choice, secured a crowded house. The audience was one of the most appreciative I have ever seen, but they had every reason to be so, as for an amateur production the entertainment was the best ever seen here. The stage was got up very pleasingly, In place of the ordinary circle, there was a plantation scene, which was made up of cabbage trees, ferns, flax plants, etc. Mr W. Collins officiated aB Mr Johnson, and the other members were grouped around him. The programme wbb opened with a piano overture, into which Mr B. McLeod imparted a spirit that tended to put the audience into a good humour. The opening chorus was " Razors in the air," by the company, the singing being a marked improvement on last seasons. Mr G. Barrett's ballad " Going from the cotton fields," was well received, after which Mr A. Clinch made a "hit" with his comic song, " I wish I was back in Alabama." The well-known ballad, 11 The old church bells are silent," fell to the lot of Mr F. Colville, into which the singer threw much feeling and expression. Next came a comic song, " The stage-struck wife," by a new member of the tronpe, Mr W. J. Higgins. To say the least of this performer, he has no rival among amateurs, and very few equals in professionals. He cau himself entertain an audience. Needless to say he was encored. Mr J. Collins followed with " The clouds have rolled by Willie,", paying attention to both poetry and music. "There's something makes me grin," comic song by Mr A. Clinch, did really make the audience " grin," a good deal of comicality being thrown into its interpretation by the singer. A very pleasing item was Mr E. Chapman's ballad, " The old rustic bridge by the mill," which deservedly found favour. Mr Higgins again was " immense " with his comic song, •' Every little doggey has his day," receiving the same compliment as before. Mr G. Collins very feelingly eang " Don't go out to-night, dear father," which elicited 6ilent attention, and "The old Kentucky home far away," by the company, brought the first part of the programme to a close. Be' ween the songs, mirthprovoking conundrums and ticklish jokes, as well as local hits, were indulged in. Mr A. Clinch mnde an excellent " bones," while Mr Higgins, as " tambo," was unique. His g^t-up was original and comical, and be displayed wonderful talent. I might mention that in the various ballads the choruses were well sustained by the company, coloured lights being used to illuminate the scene while the last one w«s being given. The second part of ihe programme was opened with an entremely laughable farce, entitled "Dr Pills." The chief characters were sustained as follows : — Professor Pills, Mr T. Gun. nion ; Joe Lazybonep, Mr J. Collins ; Tom Slowcoach, Mr W. J. Higgins. The two last-named as the professor's apprentices were immense, eppecially the inimitable Hi^gins. Mr Gunnion, who male his debut as an acUr, w;is sulencid. He succeeded in entirely concealing liis " original self." The faice created roars cf laughter, especially Mr Higgins' remark about the patient's tooth. The character eong, " Every-dny life," by Mr G. Barrett, wab encored, mucn dramatic action and expression being imparted to it by the vocalist. Mr Higeins' Irish character soug and dance "The misfortunate woman," stamped the performer as one wbo has few rivals amongst piofe-S'onals ac an Irish comic eineer. This song, which was vociferously encored, adequately satisfi 'd 'he audience for their trouble in coming. The encore Bong wjs equally comical. His lips moved, but no sound came. The favourite ballad, " Ring de banjo," was gmn in no mean voice, by Mr E. Chapman, the chorus b.ing well sustained by the company. — The manoeuvres of the " Under-fed Brigade " created no small amount of laughter, which gave place to an item which was well apDreciated by toe audience, ''Double clog hornpipe" by Messrs Hipgins and Collirs The time was splendid, and the applause well merited. The comic scene, "Wanted a cook," simply sent the audience iuto hysterics. The part of Mr Ginger was sustained by Mr A. Clinch, while Mr Higgins as Pete, the cook, was really indes cnbable. In this piece he was evidently in his element. The entertainment was concluded with the farce '• Ebenezer's visit to New Turk." The caste was : Ebentz°r Sophiah (a coloured member of Congress), Mr F. Colville ; Julius Jinkins (under-boots at boardinghouse), Mr A. Cluch i Old Startlum (an elderly gentleman, lightheaded) Juck Francis ; Quintus Quietus (a stuttering gentleman, very jealous), Mr W, Collins; Mrs Qainus Q netus (bis wife), Mibs 'fornall. T-is piece was &us ai ed evenly throu^hoat, the coloured member of Congress bemg ixcellenc. The staging was all that could be desired for thf sceue, whica was a bo<u\hn£-house. Mr R. McLeod pliyed the accomp miments, and ad ltd greatly to t! c success of the entertaiomt nt, a 9 did also the energy of the hon secretary, Mr F. Colville. Before the last farce Mr Higgins came before the curtain, and after thanking the audience for their patronage, announced that the Minstrels would give another entertainment, the proceeds from which

would be devoted to repairing the Catholic Church clock. A dance was afterwards held.

The entertainment for the repairing of the clock will take place in the Volunteer Hall on Tuesday, August 2nd- The good feeling of theee young men will doubtless be rewarded by a bumper. It is sincerely hoped that every Catholic will be present. It would be a lasting disgrace to the Catholics if they allowed such patriotism to pass without liberal response. In addition to giving the entertainment the Minstrels are doing their best to push the Bale of tickets t no donbt their kindness will long be remembered by the Catholics of this district.