MINSTREL ENTERTAINMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8008, 20 December 1905, Page 2

MINSTREL ENTERTAINMENT.

Musie, mirth, melody, nnd mystery pleasantly _ intermingled, made the minstre] .entertainment in St. Mary's Hall .last,night n, very enjoyable affair. Tin's-style of concert, in capable hands, fan be, made to suit all tastes, and they were, fully catered for last night, the performers giving of their best. The " cuflud gc-uTiiiaiiK " all members of SK' Mary's choir—appeared in tho , regulation evening dress. A strong chorus of ladies attired in white made an effective background for the "niggers," amongst whom were several choristers. Mr T. Woodard acted as interlocutor, and a very gopd " Mnssa Johnson " he was, too, whilst Messrs Hume ("Bonos"), Mallett (" Tambo "), and Binnington provided the humour. The curtain rose on a short programme by the choristers, Masters Nippert and Dunibleton taking the solos. Tho items were gopd, especially tho "Marching Song " (by Mr Alec Hill), leading up to a very effective tableau, " Britannia," in which Miss Mead was the central figure. The overture nnd chorus (Miss Chong, accompanist) introduced the minstrels, after which came Mr G. Boulton's "King-tailed Coon," splendidly sung. Miss Holdsworth's treatment of "Egypt" was a gem of the vocal art, her well developed voice showing to great advantage. As a matter of course, Mr Binnington's turns sent the audience into shrieks of laughter. "How we laugh" and his stump speeches were his bestj but besides his own items his antics helped to keep the audience well up to laughing pitch. Mr Mallctt's, comic song "Has anybody seeu our cat?" made a gopd hit, and he shared with Messrs Wopdard, Hume, and Binnington the honours in amusing duets and quartettes, etc. Miss Chong's " Nava-'jo " was very prettily sung, and earned for her rounds of applause. Mrs Hume gave a dainty, coon-like rendering of "Old Man Moon," and had to repeat before the plaudits of the house could be silenced,. Mr Hume, on the corner, seemed right in his element, voicing bright humour and tickling his hearers' risible faculties. His best items were "Any Bags ?" and " Good-Night." Mr Woodard sang " Louisiana Lou" in splendid voice, meeting with an encore, and Mr Morgan's " Ole Banjo " was also a first-class item. Apartfromtbo fine individual effort, the chorus work was simply a .treat to listen to, the voices being well balanced. We can safely recommend readers to try a' a shilling's worth to-night,