THE MAMMOTH MINSTRELS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5707, 15 July 1879, Page 3

THE MAMMOTH MINSTRELS.

The above troupe made their first appearance in Wellington last evening at St. George's Hall, which was crowded in the baek portion, while there was also a very good attendance in the front seats. Expectation has been aroused for some weeks past with regard to this company, whose excellencies have been highly spoken of ; and after witnessing their performance of last evening, it must be admitted that their abilities have not been over-stated. The first part consisted, as usual, of what is known as the “ chair business,” the introductory overture to which comprised selections from “ La Fille de Madame Angot,” which were rendered in firstclass style by a new and effective orchestra. A ballad by Mr. Vernon Reid, “ The sweet days gone by,” served to show off that gentleman’s voice to great advantage. The comic nursery rhymes by Mr. Ben Brown caused a considerable amount of laughter, and proved that gentleman to be a comic singer in its broadest sense. Mr. Amery, in his song of “ Underneath the may tree," sang in his usual excellent manner ; and the ballad by Mr. Graham “My grandfather’s clock,” was one of the best items of the first part. Mr. Horace Bent, in his funny ditty of “Johnny, don’t tickle the baby,” was highly amusing ; while the soprano ballad by Mr. Hawkins, “ Mother’s with the angels," elicited prolonged applause, this gentleman’s voice having very greatly improved since he was last in this city. The finale to the first part, “ Mons. Choufleuri,” was highly diverting. After selections by the orchestra, introductory to the second part, Messrs. Cheevers and Kennedy gave a specimen of their versatility both as singers and dancers in the short sketch entitled “The Mulcahy Twins,” in the course of which they made a number of changes of costume, &c., with great rapidity. In the farce of “ The Lawyer’s Clerk,” which followed, Mr. Horace Bent brought out the fund of humor of which he is possessed in a way that caused the most irresistible laughter. A solo by Mr. Hawkins was followed by a most amusing act by Messrs. Brown and Newland, whose comicalities must be seen to be appreciated. After a double jig by Messrs. Cheevers and Kennedy, and a ballad by Mr. Braham, a most entertaining programme was brought to a close with the farce of “ The Wig Makers,” in which Messrs. Brown and Newland again threw the audience into convulsions of laughter, and sent them away thoroughly pleased with their evening's entertainment.