ENTERTAINMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2150, 27 March 1908, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

COOK COUNTY CURIOUS COONS

Tho Cook County Curious Coons, who havo been in rehearsal for some time, gavo a performance m aid of tho funds of tho City Band in His Alajesty’s Theatre last evning. iho “Coons” woro unfortunate in meeting with unpropitious weather, proventing a crowded house, which their performance certainly deserved, from being present. As it was, the theatio was well filled, and judging by tho applause, and the number of encoies demanded, tlio audience thoroughly enjoyed tlio bill of fare provided. Tho performers oil their part were happy in their work. They possessed an unlimited simply of stage confidence, their turns were neatly done, tlio singing was good, and the selection ot songs and items widely varied. As is usual in minstrel entertainments tlio comic element predominated, and the audience was kept in roars oI lauglitei by clever gags and witticisms. Tho first part of tho entertainment took the form of a circle, in which Mr. Dudley Trent acted as interlocutor, and Alessrs G. 11. Puflett, A. Stenner, A. Rogers, AV. Burnand, and li. Carr as endmen Air It. AVilkinson received a double cncoro for his coon song, “Everybody has a whistle like me,” while Messrs H. Grieve and H. Robinson were respectively accorded encores for their songs, “Liudy,” and “I don’t know wliero I’m going.” Alaster Leonard Skeet, a small boy, was excellent in the comic song, “Do lie Ali,” and received a double encore. Mr. AV. Burnand was equally successful in tlio march song, 1 ‘ \Vhat tlio big band played.” Air. D. Trent sang “My Mississippi Alissus” and “The Alan in Alanitoba”' in good style, while Mr E. P. Berlyn, who has a tenor voice of good rang© and quality, was encored for liis selected song. Air T. Rogers danced a sailor’s hornpipe, and Alessrs A. AAL Stenner and AV. Afachel caused great amusement with tlieir comic songs, “I’m going to sing a song” and a parody on “Jenny, my own true love.” The performance concluded with a farce, entitled, “You’ll like tho job.” The chorus singing was a pleasing feature of tho evening, tho voices being kept well in harmony. The members of the company wero: Alessrs D. Trent (interlocutor, R. H. Clark (stage manager), G. H. Puflett, A. Stenner, AV. Burnand, R. AV. Cary, A. Robinson, I. G. Grinlinton, J. Dore Donovan, H. G. Beams, A. Rogers, H. J. Grieve, F. Fox, R. AVilkinson, B. C. Baxter, AV. Alachel, C. Rogers, AV. Smith, A. Young, P. Morris, A. Simmoiids.

The orchestral selections wero“YankeeGrit” and “George Washington,” tho members of tho orchestra being; Alessrs A. R. Don (conductor), T. J. Sutcliffe (pianist), It. N. McKay, E. M. Cuthbert, H. Rhinesmitli, C. AAL Brown (violins), C. G. Swallow (flute), J. Strong (oboe), Jas. Clirisp (clarionet), J. Adair (’cello), H. Andrews (bass), F. AVilkinson (cornet), T. Williams (born), J. Richards (trombone), C. Bollen (drums). . The “Coons” will appear again this evening, when an entirely different programme will be presented.