THEATRE ROYAL.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1672, 30 June 1879, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

THE MAMMOTH MINSTRELS. That so many persons should have braved the inclemency of such a night as Saturday to bo present at the opening performance of the Mammoth Minstrels cannot but augur well for their public success in Christchurch, The company is, perhaps, strongest minstrel combination that has visited New Zealand, not alone as regards numbers, but special talent in all the different lines. Of the old favorites, such as Messrs Bent, Oheevers, Kennedy, Braham, Yernon Reid, Amory, and Hawkins —it will suffice to say that they were as good as usual. In the new members, Messrs Brown and Newlands, the company possesses two exceedingly clever artistes, their business being funny in the extreme, and they at once established themselves as favorites with the audience, The first part comprised what is known as chair business, and the various items were rendered most effectively. Mr Yernon Reid, who was in excellent voice, sang a pretty ballad “ Sweet days gone by,” with a charmingly arranged refrain and instrumental accompaniment. Mr Amory gang a patriotic song very nicely, and then Mr Braham gave “My grandfather’s clock,” a new gong which has created quite a furore. It was sung admirably, and received a well merited encore. Mr Hawking sang “ Mother’s with the angels” well. Since ho was last here his voice has mellowed greatly, and, while losing none of its tone and power, has gained melody. The fun was in the hands of Messrs Bent and Brown, and it is needless to say was fast and furious, The

finale was Mons. Ohoufleurie introducing Mr Bent as the French conductor, which was an immense piece of acting. Messrs Oheevcrs and Kennedy opened the second of the programme with a new lightning change sketch “ The Mulcahy Twins,” and their make up and acting was excellent. Their changes were very smartly done, and they had to respond to no less than three encores. Mr Bent’s sketch, “The “Lawyer’s Clerk,” went as well as over, and then Messrs Brown and Newlands gave a banjo performance. Mr Brown plays the small banjo with a precision and melody hardly to be expected from so small an instrument, and Mr Newlands is a valuable assistant on tho larger one. Mr Hawkins sang “ Sing on sweet bird,” and Messrs Kennedy and Cheevors danced a jig. Both items wore well done. Tho good old song, “ Tho Gallants of England,” afforded. Mr Amery an opportunity of displaying to tho utmost his really fine voice. He sang tho song excellently, and was To the farce, and particularly to Mr Brown in it, no description could do justice. The latter’s is one of tho funniest pieces of acting that can be imagined, and Mr Brown on Saturday evening evoked shouts of laughter. The concerted music generally of tho company is rendered in a manner deserving the highest praise, and altogether tho Mammoth Minstrels may bo said to have made a complete success, despite tho weather. They appear again this evening. ___________