THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3817, 9 October 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Heoartt's Court Minstrels,

Hegarty's Court Minstrels and Hibernicon Comedy Company opened last night at the Theatre Royal to a Avell filled house. Tho troupe numbers fourteen performers, male and female, Avho at the rise of the curtain aro disclosed seated in orthodox minstrel fashion around the stage, the instruments being located at the back, but with the exception of the "end men," Cowan and Buckley, all appear with white faces, and Avcar court Avigs. Mr Shaw Cross acts as interlocutor, and assists the funny mon betAvecn each song in keeping up a running fire of jokes, which arc well delivered, and never fail to receive due recognition from the audience. AYe could wish, however, if jokes are really indispensiblc to minstrel entertainments, that somo in that particular lino would Avritc a few now ones. Funny sayings are amongst the things that age does not improve. The best vocal effort in the first part of the entertainment was undoubtedly a ballad entitled "The Old Wooden Rocker" by Miss Eva AVinnette. Miss AVinnctte possesses a rich contralto voice, and sings correctly and Avith expression. An encore for her song Avas demanded, but had to be denied in consequence of the length of the programme. Miss Bella .Sutherland also Sana- very nicely " Don't forget mc, little darling." It is needless to say that Messrs Cowan and Buckley Avere inimitable in the "business" and songs, and kept the audience in the best of humor. An amusing medley, in Avhich all the members of the company took part, brought the minstrel portion of the programme to a close, and afforded Mrs Buckley the opportunity to giA-c the audience a taste of her vocal ability in tho shape of a verse of that ever popular air "The Old Folks at Home." The singing throughout was very good, but to give proper balance to tho choruses the male voices require strengthening. After an interval the Hibcrnicon comedy " Mollie O'Connor, or Ireland in Shade and Sunshine," was presented, and, although there is not much in the piece that can be called clever or striking, yet it serrcd to keep the house thoroughly amused, which, Aye may presume, is the object aimed at. Mr Johnny CoAvan as Ciiffce, a colored servant, and Mr Buckley as Barney O'Neil, Averc the life of the sketch, and caused no end of laughter by their eccentricities. The incidental songs and dances were nil that could be desired, while tho scenery illustrative of the trip taken by Mr Doolittle through the Emerald Isle was by no means the least attractive part of the entertainment. AYe should not omit to mention Miss Vesf.a Amor and Miss May ATvian, who as Charlotte Doolittle and Mollie O'Connor respectively both looked and acted avcll. A very effective little orchestra under the leadership of Horr Koph accompanies the troupe. AYe advise all avlio desiro to enjoy a good_ laugh not to miss the opportunity of seeing Mr Hegarty's company.