POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 95, 5 September 1871, Page 5

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

The third amateur entertainment in aid of the Cromwell Athemeum building fund took place at Kidd's Concert-room on Thursday evening, and gave unmingled satisfaction to a numerous audience. The first part of the programme consisted of two vocal solos by Mrs Corse, a duet by the same lady and Mr Talboys, two comic songs by Mr Grindley, ballads by Messrs Loughnau, Sansom, Talboys, and Pretsch; and readings by Messrs Milns and Graves. The various performers acquitted themselves most creditably, and each was warmly applauded on concluding. Mrs Corse—the only lady amateur who appeared on the occasion—merited and received repeated tokens of approbation from those who enjoyed the pleasure of listening to her. Mr Colclough did good service as accompanist, and Mr Loughnan also gave valuable assistance to several of the vocalists in the same capacity. Tho concluding portion of the entertainment was perhaps—because of its greater novelty—more attractive than the first part. The performances of the minstrels as a whole far exceeded the expectations of the audience, and great credit is due to Mr Howson for his excellent coaching of the sable troupe. Mr Grindley, as Tony, proved himself quite an adept at comic business, and his performance on the tambourine was exceedingly clever. But to Mr Chadwick, as Bones, the unqualified success achieved by the '' darkies" is mainly attributable. His grotesque humour and inimitable byplay kept the audience in continual merriment throughout; and his "make-up" was faultless. Mr Sansom was principal tenor, and his singing was much admired. Messrs I J. Moore and J. Kelly were the violinists, <hT2d Mr Howson played the banjo with his usual iia.d ability.— The proceeds of the entertainment runrmnied to about £22, clear of all expenses,—-.making the total sum now placed to the credit <>l the committee something like £9O.