Snowflake Minstrels.

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 18, 13 December 1904, Page 2

Snowflake Minstrels.

At Waipapakauri.

(By a Reporter.) The Snowflake Minstrels journeyed to Waipapakauri on Saturday last, and gave an entertainment there in the evening, in Mr. J. Evans’ hall. The weather was very favorable for the trip, and the roads in comparatively good order, although in places very rough and rutty. One of these ruts, by-the-bye, was the cause of one member of the troupe (Mr. C, A. Wake) getting a rather nasty spill, which incapacitated him insomuch as to prevent him from taking his usual place on the concert platform. Fortunately, however, his place was filled by Mr. Fitzpatrick (an understudy, doneherknow) who acquitted himself most creditably. The attendance at the concert was very, very meagre, only £4, I believe, being taken at the door. This must have been disheartening to the performers, after their long journey, but if it was they showed no dispiritedness, every item being given with unwonted vim and vigor. Part I. of the programme opened with the song “ Coon Drum Major” rendered in good style by Mr. Richmond. Then followed: Coote; “ Going There Every Night,” Mr. Fitzpatrick; “Whistling Coon,” Mr. Richmond; “Mandalay,” Mr. Black; “Goo-goo Eyes,” Mr. Coote; “Honolulu Lady,” Mr. Hands; “Close Your Dreamy Eyes,” Mr. Richmond; “Carolina Flo,” Mr. Coote. Then came a humorous sketch, in which the chief characters were taken by Messrs. Hands, Richmond, Black and Smith. Each performer did splendidly, and, though it was originally my intention to make a separate comment on each item, I find discrimination impossible—they were all “just lovely.” _ The same remarks apply to Part 11., which opened with the trio, “Mulligan Guards,” by Messrs. Richmond, Coote and Keys; other items being a song by Mr. Richmond, exhibition of club-swinging by Mr. W. Evans (one of the best amateur athletes in the North); song, Mr. Wilson; comic song, Mr. Montgomery; song, Mr. Coote; recitation, Mr. Hands; comic song, Mr. Smith; song, Mr. Richmond; comic song, Mr. Montgomery; song, Mr. Coote. The entertainment concluded with a mirth-provoking farce, in which the characters were sustained by Messrs. Richmond, Black, Hands, Smith and Keys. Mr. W. A. Wilton acted as accompanist during the evening. During their stay the minstrels were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. E. Evans, at the latter’s up-to-date and well-appointed hotel, where the most liberal hospitality was extended to them.

The next performance of the Snowflakes will be on the night of the Mangonui races, when an entirely new programme will be gone through.