The Black Family.

Manawatu Herald, 15 September 1903, Page 3

The Black Family.

Much interest has been aroused by the announcement that the clever Black Family, of musical entertainers are booked to appear in the Public Hall on Friday and Saturday next. The family has just concluded most successful seasons in neighbouring towns, and have received flattering notices from the Press.

The family had the honour of appearing before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales and suite during their tour of the colony. “ The enteitaimnent given by the family,” says a contemporary, “ is of an exceptionally high order, and a more perfect enjoyable evening could not have been spent. The performers are genuine exponents of melody, entertaining, mirthful, and thoroughly enjoyable, and can be recommended without reservation. Miss Nellie Black, the bright particular star of the company, displayed most astonishing talent, both asa'singer and a violinist, and was most enthusiastically received each time she appeared. She is a real marvel on the violin, and her grotesque imitations of a trombone solo, bagpipes, church organ, canary whistling and a German Concertina, were remarkable clever and pleasing. Mr Bertie Black danced a sailor’s hornpipe and introduced into the programme several amusing musical novelties. He uses a pair of bellows, telephone fairy bells and a Chinese trumpet, and from all these he extracts music. Mr J. Black is inimitable as a comic singer and musician, and in the comic sketches with Miss Black creates roars of laughter. Miss Elsie is a e’ever flautiste, violiniste anddanseuse. As well as playing all kinds of instruments under the sun, the members of this clever family sing well. They gave a little acting, some graceful dancing, and altogether their entertainment is one of the most delightful and refined that could be witnessed, and having seen them we are not at all surprised at the warm eulogies they have received wherever they have played.”