THE HUPSON SURPRISE PARTY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 73, 10 September 1879, Page 2

THE HUPSON SURPRISE PARTY.

Those who patronised the entertainment at tho^orflgtg^i' Hall on Monday evening, were indeed treated ijo a moat agreeable surprise, by the abore^rfia^cleyer, troupe. The company is comprised "of eijhVmejnbers — five ladies, and ttoep 'gentlemen,— -and while the first portion of the programme embraces high class m'usie^ bpth, vocal and instrumental; and the second, the most sidesplitting comicalities, there ' is not fro^ beginning to end one single iteni to wliicn, the most censorious could take exception. Although as we hare said the' majority, of the troupejare ladies, the entertainment' i 3 mct,delled after the orthodox Christy Minstrel standard, the two corner men being' the only ipembers who indulged m burnt cork. Although the "Hudson Surprise Party " as a whole are hew to New Zealand, there are two of the troupe who are no strangers to the Colonies. We allude to Messrs. T. Hudson and Charlie Wallace, the former of whom was. the originator of the United States Minstrelsy and the latter with. Mr. Carey, the founder of the Celebrated Chicago Minstrels. Both are unrivalled m their own peculiar walks, b.u.t for dry humor and "nigger b,ye-play and " business " Charlie Wallace pernaps is without an equal on the Colonial stage. The entertainment opened with an overture by the company, the. instrument^ portion being supplied by the Misses Y. and IT. De Gay, the former on the violin and the latter on the piano. Thiß -was followed by the pretty ballad " Eoses underneath the Snow," by Miss M. Morton,. ' thei, plainjiYa melody being^ given with excellent taste, and evoking the heartiest applause.'' The serio-comic song, "Baby's got a tooth,'.'' was given by Mr, Hudson m a most humorous manner, and the chorus— which •■".is* exceedingly prettywas most efficiently; given by the company. Next on the programme was "the Dear Little Shamrock " by, Miss ./ Ada Majen, which, as might be supnosd; was receivedwith boisterous applause, followed by the "Quiet Little Home," by-Mr. Glover, rendered m- capital style, the chords m particular being most pleasingly executed! ' T/h"e comic song "Blow tho Candle out," was given by Charlie Wallace m his very, beat style, and evoked roars of laughter., ' The vocal concert closed with the gem of the evening " Little Blue 32ye9," by Miss M. Burton, . who possesses a rich and powerful contralto, which proved a most valuable aid m the choruses. The amusing burlesque sketch " The Surprise Marketeers," m which Messrs. Hudson and Wallace parody the gendarmes from " Genevieve de Brabant," assisted by the ladies of the cpmpany, brought the first portion of the programme to a". close. The make-up of Wallace -and h^s companion was immense, and the byeplay irresistibly com.tc, that one scene alone amply repaying for the visit. The second portion of the entertainment was comprised of the usual plantation occentrictied, — all, however, of the very best class— the duett " Juanita," by the Misses Burton and Maveh, and the two pretty ballads " Bide-a-Wee" and "The dearest Sppt," sang m splendid style by the former lady ; together with a most difficult violin sola by Miss V. De Gay executed m, a most artistic manner. The whole concluded with the weft-known farce " A Gho3t m the Pawn Shop," which was highly enjoyed. The entertainment is by far and away the best of any which ha^ visited Palmerston of late, and to those who really wish to see a good performance — to hear some excellent singing, together, with genuine fun, wasay patronise the troupg to-morrow evening, As there ia to be "a change of performance, we would suggest to he, ' management that Messrs. Hudson and Wallace should appear m "A Scene, m a Bar Rpom,".'v[hich « without exception one of the best farces m the repertoire jot Burnt Corkism, and m which Wallace have night af tec 'night brought do'ven the house m the" Southern cities. ' Strange as the name of the Lady Minstrels may appear to some, the reality when witnessed is by no means., odd, and one could, well imagine the Misses Burton, Maven, and Morton sitting m a drawimj room and " discoursing sweet sounds," for, tjhe. enjoyment of theassembled guests. ' The.'troupe is aptly named, and to our. mind if any alteration were necessary it would be the addition of the - word "agreeable," before surprise, for certainly that would be the sensation caused to most people. ----- -..-■•■ i i "' ■ ■ ■ ■