THE CHRISTY MINSTREL CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 985, 1 August 1882, Page 3

THE CHRISTY MINSTREL CLUB.

The above club gave its first entertainment, in aid of the brass band, last Friday evening to the largest audience we have seen assembled in the Volunteer Hall for a long time. Tlie club may well be congratulated on the result of its debut. The fact that the vocal and musical parts of it, were under the joint directorship of Messrs Edmonds and Strattnn led us to expect something good, but we must admit that we never anticipated it would be half so good as it was. Not the least noticeable feature of it was the excellent taste displayed in the selection of the songs. They were real gems from a musical point of view, and as they were sung with great exactness and care they gave great satisfaction. We understand that Mr Stratton arranged the music, and if so he has every reason to feel nattered at the result of his efforts, for indeed we have seldom heard any orchestre of amateurs play so well. In fact they would do credit to any theatre in the colony, and there is no doubt about it | but that the music was the leading fea-

uf the performance. The names of the orehestre did not appear on the programme, but the burnt cork disguises did not prevent us from recognising some of them. These were Mr Slratton, first violin ; Mr Richardson, second violiu ; MiHarrison, pianist ; Mr A. Spooner, first cornet ; Mr G. Maaon, sec nd cornet; Mrß. Brown, euphonium; Mr J. Andrews, clarionet.

They opened the entertainment with a popular overture, which they rendered in first-class style, and during the evening played ' The Caliph of Bagdad,' and the waltz 'Sweethearts,' in a manner that won for them very hearty and well-merited applause. But the gem of all the music was the comet solo 'Le Lune de Miel,' (the honeymoon) played by Mr Stratton, and the encore to it, « Auld Robin Gray.' In the rendering of these two pieces, especially the first one, Mr Stratton proved himself to be a thorough master of the instrument ; feeling and spirit, with rapidity of execution and strict regard to time, characterising his playing throughout: The opening chorus of the minstrels at once shewed they had given careful study to their self-imposed task. Indeed the splendid and exact manner in which the voices blended together in the choruses was a feature of the singing, and con tributed a good deal towards its success. "We heard Mr Edmonds for the first time in the plaintive style of singing, and must say that we prefer him in that than in the warlike and descriptive songs which he usually sinsrs. The ballad ( Angels Whisper Sweet Good Isight' was the vocal gem of the evening. 'The Tailor that cut me out,' a comic song, was effectively sung by Mr Levens. Mr H. Clinch sang ' Time may steal away the Roses,' a very musical melody in good voice, and Mr S. Burrows ' She laughed behind her fan' in a manner that elicited much laughter. Mr Bell sang ' Roses Underneath the Snow,' in capital style, and ' The little brown jug,' by Mr Levens,terminated the first part of the entertainment. Messrs Burrows and Levens acted as corner men very creditably, but there was certainly room for improvement. Their jokes were good, and a good deal of ingenuity was shown in the getting up of their local hits, but they gave them out too slowly, and consequently some very good points were unnoticed by the audience. We make these remarks just to give them a hint to get through their jokes as quickly as possible, and not to bo afraid of being too extravagant because tli3 more absurd their conduct is the more laughter it will produce. There is one thing which should not be forgotten. There was a complete absence of anything bordering on rudeness and good taste characterised the whole performance. Mr Bolton created roars of laughter with his stump speech on ' The Anniversary of Temuka.' It bristled with local allusions, and was very well delivered. Mr Clinch sang * The OH Log Cabin,' in character, and was most rapturously encored. His make-up was very good, and his singing capital. This song and the cornet solo of Mr Stratton were the only encores of the evening. Messrs Bell and Edmonds sang the duet ' Army and Navy' in tint excellent style for which both singers are so well known, and the whole entertainment concluded with the Negro farce ' Sixteen Thousand Years Ago.' This was the only part of the entertainment that dragged, not so much on account of want of ability on the part of the actors as that there was nothing in it to act. We would suggest to the club, when next they appear, to select something more lively —some piece in which there is vehement, wild language, and a dash of the ' blood and thunder, mixed up with Negro absurdities. Such pieces are very easily acted, and create great amusement. In throwing out these hints we do not mean to cast any reflection upon j the capabilitias of Messrs Bolton, Burrows and Levens, the actors in the farce. They acquitted themselves very creditably, and if they had had better parts would have done justice to their capabilities in a more telling manner. We hope when they next appear it will be in something in which there is more ' go,' and if so we feel sure they will give a good account of themselves. On the whole the entertainment Avas a capital one, and it was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. They are sure to have a crowded house when next they appear.