KELLY AND LEON MINSTRELS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1496, 2 December 1878, Page 3

KELLY AND LEON MINSTRELS.

The company performed their second programme on Saturday night, every item being new. The more one sees of this excellent troupe the more there is to appreciat e. It is in the thorough completeness of their performance more than in any one speciality, with the exception, of course, of Leon, that the excellence of the company is manifest. For instance, Sutton and Kelly of Rockefeller’s Minstrels, were, par excellence , admirable specimens of Ethiopian comedy, but their style was different to Messrs Courtright and Lester, who, in an equally effective manner, present another phase of humor more quaint and piquante if loss broadly farcical. The part singing of Kelly and Leon’s quartette, aided by the fresh pure voice of Beaumont Read, who embellishes all ho takes part in, has never been surpassed in Christchurch, and it was a matter for regret that this special attraction was omitted on Saturday night. Another most original feature of the present combination, and certainly not the least attractive is their histrionic ability. It is a rare thing even on the lyric stage to find great vocal excellence combined with the power of giving due dramatic effect to it. Still more rare is it to find what have been facetiously termed “ artists in burnt cork,” shine advantageously when they have washed their faces clean. It would appear that their “ black and begrimed faces ” inspire a eonfidence and evoke a special humour which lies dormant when in their natural condition. In the first part on Saturday the principal feature was the exquisite singing by Beaumont Read of the ballad “ Sweet Chiming Bells.” The compass of this gentleman’s voice is marvellous, and the belllike clearness of its upper notes is equalled by the rich mellow tones of those in the lower register. Mr Fredericks sang a pretty ballad, “ Let me kiss those weeping eyes,” which was deservedly encored. The operatic finale from “ Genevieve do Brabant” was capitally sung and acted, and “ The Bold Gonsdarmcs” of Messrs “Japanese Tommy” and Courtright sent the large audience into convulsions of laughter. The Only Leon sang “The Girl in advance of the Times,” and gave a really wonderful imitation of feminine attributes, concluding as usual oy singing a bravura in imitation of the Hungarian Nightingale. Mr Edwin Lester delivered a stump oration, full of amusing absurdities, some of them being of a local character, which caused great amusement. A short farce, partaking of the nature of a black-faced pantomime, again introduced Tommy and Mr Courtright, who aided by Messrs Ball and Surridge, kept it going with immense spirit, to the intense delight of the spectators. Kelly and Leon’s version of Offenbach’s operetta of “ Monsieur Choulleuri” terminated an excellent performance. Mr Edwin Kelly ts an opera bouffe actor of the first water, strongly reminding one of Edward Marshall of the Soldene Troupe. Leon was thoroughly at home as Ernestine Choulleuri, and sang and acted with with great effect. Mr J. H. Surridge played another female character, but with a difference, and Ids performance was highly amusing and meritorious; this comedian is very funny in a dry, stolid, quiet way, and in the Countess Balaudard he had full scope for the display of his peculiar characteristics. As a Princess, Japanese Tommy was inimitable. Nothing so bizarre or outrageously comic has been witnessed in the theatre since it has been built, and when ho ambled on cn grand toilette it was the signal for a burst of irrepressible laughter, Messrs Lester, Courtright and Ball are good opera bauffe artistes, and contributed in their several characters to the success of the piece. Edwin Kelly, Leon, and Mr Lester give a capital burlesque on Italian operatic singing, the numbers in the opentta being a duet, trio, ensemble, and finale. A word as to the conduct of a portion of the audience, who ought and probably do know better,but act as though they did not. It is the bad taste of rising from their seats to get out the theatre quickly as the end of the performance approaches, which is both an annojance to those in front of the curtain who wish to see the whole of the piece, and fin insult to the artistes behind it, whose voices are drowned with the noise of frumpling feet. The effect, of the finale to “ Monsieur Choulleuri ” was completely marred on Saturduy night by the practice alluded to, which waa all the worae, because the impatient ones

mistook the ensemble for the finale, and got up ton soon, and when they found out their mistake sat down again, thereby reduplicating the annoyance. The programme of tv rday will be repeated to-night and a fresh II given on Wednesday evening.