THE MAMMOTH MINSTRELS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 986, 17 June 1879, Page 2

THE MAMMOTH MINSTRELS.

Despite the miserable weather and the wretched state of the streets, there was a capital attendance at the Volunteer Hall last evening, when the Mammoth Minstrels appeared for the first time. As we have previously stated, the company is a very strong one, and in addition to affording' us an opportunity of renewing our acquaintance with several of the best performers of other troupes that recently visited Oamaru, introduces many new . faces. Unfortunately tho miserable weather of the past week or two lias had a baneful effect upon the members of the troupe, and while several of them were unable to appear owing to severe colds, ; the majority of those who did take part I in last evening's entertainment were suffering more or less from hoarseness. The ; most noticeable instance was that of Mr. Hawkins, the wonderful male alto, who . was suffering so severely that although he ; attempted to sing, he had to abandon the task. Howevpr, a fiqe substitute was found jrj Mr. Branam, who sang in , splendid style, " Waken us at dawn, mother." Mr. Braham is one of the few : negro minstrelists whose voices appear to retain their force and sweetness, and the . song was loudly applauded, while he also , received a genuine round of applause for . his rendering of " Grandfather's Clock," ; beautiful words set to an equally sweet melody, Mr, Vernon Reid's song, " Sweet days gone by," was very tastefully rendered, and Mr. Amery received a well-merited encore for tho martial song with a stirring chorus, " My country calls." The "corner men" were Mr. Ben. Brown and oiiv bid friend Mv.' Horace Bent, Emd it is needless tp say that the fun produced between them, in conjunction with Mr. Newhuul, the interlocutor, was fast and furious. Mast of the jolies were original, and those that were old were given in such an original manner as to render them almost unrecognisable. The audience were kept in a perfect state of merriment, and well they might be, for it would be difficult to obtain better " end men" than the gentlemen named. Mr. Brown's "Nursery Rhymes," and Mr. Bent's " Johnny don't tickle the baby," were exceedingly funny, as was also the finale "Mons. Choufleuri." in which Mr. Bent appeared as tho inost' feccentrio ot French conductors'.' The seeontj.'' jJArfc re-introduced ' Messrs. Cheevers arid Kennedy 111 tlieir specialties, and it is needless to say that " The Mu!-' cahy' iwlns ' olcT folks and young folks" met with hearty applause, while they -R-'erg compelled tf) submit to an encore for their doublp American prize jig, Messra. .Brown and is'ewland also appeared in their ecoentric performances, and showed themselves to be both excellent comedians and good musicians, Their duets on the ocarina and banjo were really good, as was also that on two banjos—one of the ordinary dimensions and another of diminutive proportions. Their burlesque, The Bp. Dps i'n the Wood," with which tlie'perfotmanee concluded, was'highly amiising, both gentle.men showing that they were burlesque actors of no mean order. Mp, Bent's ever welcome sketch " The Lawyer'ij Clerk," with Mr.' Amery s song " The Gallants of England,'-' and Mr. Reid's ballad " My Pretty Jane," made up a programme which for variety and excellence' could not easily bj be'afcen. The orchestra, owing to the indisposition of several instrumentalists wag rqbbed of its ,fair proportions, but thg accompaniments | and incidental music •jvere still capitally rendered- Tornight an entire change of programme-will be presented.