The Magpie Minstrels.

Hastings Standard, Issue 351, 18 June 1897, Page 3

The Magpie Minstrels.

A GREAT SUCCESS

The success attending la-t evening's entertainment on behalf of the Widows' and Orphans' fund far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the management. Apart from the novelty of the affair the cause was a good one, and these combined to draw together one of the largest audiences that has ever graced the Princess Theatre. The front part of the house wrs crowded to excess, and m the back seats and pit there was not a vacant seat. The vast audience was a good matured one, and applause was spontaneous throughout. When the curtain rose a pretty scent; was revealed with a circle of lady Magpies, in the back-ground being a number of male negroes in grotesque garb. Evidently most of them had been rending Uncle Tom's Cabin and they tried to look as important as possible and as much like little Eva's angles as was consistent with their duties. They assisted very materially in the choruses, however, although one or two of them were evidently wandering at times. To the lady minstrels all praise is due. Every item was appreciated, though nervousness evidently caused a distraction in one or two numbers. If volume was deficient it was fully made up by correct enunciation. Mrs Merewether was simply inimitable as Bones, and her manipulation was really clever. At the other corner Miss Grace Roach made an excellent Tambo, while Miss Luckie was successful in every particular as interlocutor. Many of the jokes were far above the average given at Minstrel entertainments, though one or two chestnuts that must have been resuscitated after a forage of the fore-hatch of the Ark were recognisable. The entertainment commenced with an overture " Lebenslust," by an efficient orchestra under the conuuctorship of Mr J. A. Smith. Perhaps it was the strongest body of musicians ever brought together in Hastings, and comprised Miss Kelly (piano), Messrs Marbrook, Spackman, Cook, King, and Storkey (strings), Messrs Barrett and Philscn (wood wind), Messrs Fowler, Bennett, and Newman (brass), and Mr Hillier (drum). The opening chorus by the full company was given with precision and gave every promise of a treat in store. Miss Roach sang '■ Sunshine of Paradise Alley " very nicely, and this was followed by " De Old Banjo " by Mrs Merewetber, for which an encore was demanded and given. " Far Away Ober Dere by Miss Percy was an acceptable item, and " But it is so " by Miss Grace Roach fairly aroused the audience and an imperative encore was the result. One of the finest items in the programme was the singing of "Come where my Love lies dreaming," by Miss Neilie Caulton, though she evidently suffered from nervousness in the opening lines. In the encore verso she particularly good, however. Miss Kelly followed" with Go Byebye," and then Mrs Merewetber brought down the house with " Who did," a real plantation number. Mrs Price rendered " Honey, my Honey " in her usual impressive style, after which Miss Grace Roach was compelled to accede to an encore for " Dinah.". Miss Caulton was again successful in " Ding Dong Ding," and Mrs Smith, who is a decided aquisition to our musical circles, sang " Good Night " with pleasing effect. The first part of the programme concluded with a smartly executed skirt dance by the following pupils of Mrs Tyerman, Mrs Wellwood acting as accompanist: Eva Wellwood, Ruby Wellwood, Bessie Bogle, Gertrude Tyerman, Lois D'Emden and Mina Brooke-Taylor. The limelight effects by Messrs Tyerman and George greatly added to the picture, and the precision of the various movements of the children drew forth immense applause. After a short interval the orchestra played an overture " Fleurs da Nord" in a masterly manner, and the curtain rose on a one-act absurdiiy fi Whitebait at Greenwich." The representation came as a surprise, for very few had any idea that there was so much genuine talent in the town. Mrs Merewether was simply immense as " Miss Lucretia Buzzard," and Miss Grace Roach as " Sally" was as near perfection as an amateur could well be. No one had ever accused Mr A. L. Ryan.of being a comedian, but last night as "John Small" he gave every promise of some day making his mark on the boards. He understood the character John Morton intended it to be, and made the most of his points. Mr Y. Roach was also a great success as " Mr Glimmer," though his moustache troubled him not a little at lirst, and Mr C. Holroyd was capable as "Mr Benjamin Buzzard." The farce was a ludicrous one, and the situations and complications evidently immensely pleased the vast audience, who returned to their homes delighted with the whole entertainment.

Not a little credit for the huge success of the venture is due to Mr H. Fra. t r. who was indefatigable in his honorary position of secretary. Mr A'alley Merc-wether made a most attentive usher, and Mr Ridgway deserves a word of praise for his stage management. Messrs Brooke Taylor, Hutchison, G. F. Roach, N. Wellwood, Andrews, and Arthur Hyde also deserve mention for assistance rendered. | During the interval Mr H. Fraser announced the winner of the guinea prize for the best conundrum—Mr F. Bull, of Napier, who asked, " W hat ] bank if stopped would be the greatest i benefit to the district ? " Answer : j •' Roy's Hill Bank." The judge was | Mr A. L. D. Fraser, and the winner i takes his prize in a bag of coppers ; " With the Magpies' compliments." | After the entertainment the Mag- ! pies and some of their friends met in : the green-room of the theatre, when ! a very happy hour was spent. After i partaking of refreshments on a liberal j scale the following toasts were

honored :—The Magpies, The Visitors. The Conductor, Miss Kelly, Bones, Tambo, Mr G. Ellis, The Secretary, The Stage Manager, Mrs Merewetber a? organiser, Miss Luckie, and all who assisted. Some smart speeches were made. Miss Luckici iu a few appropriate remarks thanked all those who had assisted to make the alt'iir so great a success, especially the visitors from Napier. A pleasing ceremony was performed when Miss Kelly was presented with a glove-box and a handkerchief-box and Mr J. A. Smith with a copy of Dr Nansen's latest work, as a small token of the appreciation of the Magpies of the assistance given by the lady and gentleman mentioned.