The London Bellringers.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 23 April 1891, Page 3

The London Bellringers.

By reference to our advertising column it will be seen that this Talented Company of Enteitainers are announced to appear in Foxton on Saturday evening the 25th inst, and there is no doubt but that a great and amusing treat is in store for Foxton play goers. The Company come with a very big reputation, and have everywhere been the recipents of golden opinions from the press and the people. Speaking anent the Company the Auckland Herald of the 11th March says the opening number last night was an overture " Welcome," composed by Herr von Mehden, and played by a brass quintette, the composer himself leading on the cornet, and it was a very musical number. Victor Faust, the youngest member of the Company, followed with a comic song, " Mamma's Baby Boy," after which the Bellringers performed the " Marseillaise." There are five performers, and they displayed so much musical skill and real ability as to call forth enthusiastic applause. As a second item, they played "Ring the Bell, Watchman," with equal effect, and in response to a further encore, to which no denial would be taken, they played " Rule, Brittania. ' ' After a humorous Yorkshire impersonation in song and dance by Gus Lynch. Herr von Mehden came forward cornet in hand. He commenced the well known opening strains of " The Death of Nelson," the other instruments playing an accompaniment behind the scenes. The effect was excellent. Herr Mehden showed a thorough mastery over the instrument, producing magnificent forte and beautiful piano effects. He was accorded hearty rounds of applause, and in response to an earnest encore he played alone «• Annie Laurie," the soft plaintive strains of which -were most artistically and effectually produced. Perhaps one of the most absurd musical performances ever produced before any audience is that of Messrs F. and E. Faust, two skilled violinists. It is made so immensely ludicrous that it takes time to see the cleverness of the performance, but it is yeaily wonderful to see these brothers tumbling about on the stage leaping somersaults over each other playing on each others's violins and yet never losing time or tune. It was p, wonderful performance and was uproariusly applauded and encored when there was a repetition of other extraordinary phases of their extraordinary powers of producing correct musio under the most perplexing circumstances. The feat of one of the brothers in playing " The Carnival of Venioe " while he held the bow with his knees and the fiddle in both hands, was considered the acme of skill until he placed one end of the bow on the floor, grasped the other with his knees, and rasped as if he was sawing through a log with the violin, yet retaining all the air and notes of the music. As gymnasts the Fausts are simply perfect. On brother lies on his back and 'tosses his younger off his upturned feet, but with suoh precision that he always alights safely. We cannot attempt to describe this wonderful acrobatic performance, but we may mention that in one instance, while the boy lay on his back on his brothers upturned feet he was tossed into the air turned two complete somersaults, and alighted in a standing position on the upturned feet of the reclining man as if it was the most natural position in the world. The second part of the programme •was equally interesting, The Bellringers'played "The Blue Bells of Scotland," with variations, very musically ; then Mr Ted Faust and Herr Mehden played a duet on the mandoline and guitar, an air from " Boccaccio," so sweetly that they had to respond to an encore when they substituted " Come Back to Erin," which was greatly appreciated. Herr Mehden gave excellent performances on wine glasses as well as on the xylophone, and sleigh bells, and other instruments, proving his ability to produce sweet music from almost any instrument. The Fausts also

gave ofcher exhibitions of their won derful drollery and slrill, and the final pantomimic sketch " The School Days of Nicholas Nickleby," in which Mr Faust senior took part, convulsed the audience with laughter. No better two hours of mirth and music has ever been furnished to an Auckland audience, and we have no hesitation in predicting for the clever combination a most successful season.