HICKS' COLORED MINSTRELS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2025, 27 March 1890, Page 3

HICKS' COLORED MINSTRELS.

The above troupa gave one of their popular minstrel entertainments in the Volunteer Hull, Ternnkn, last night, and were well received, It is some time now eince Temuka has been yißited by a company of this description, and the fact of their having been heralded by very favoriib'e reports from Christchurch, where they have : recently been playisg, whs sufficient to put people on tbe qui vive. Shortly after the arrival of the north express the band of the company, in uniforms of blue and silver, with an advance guard at'ired i.-> Z tuave ectume, paraded the piincipal street, playing with considerable t\i\'-\ several musical eelec tion s . The numbt-r !ind appearance of the troupe prepared p'aygoe>a for tbicipital entertainment provided for '.ho evening. This consisted of the u.-u-.l musical introduction, but the nrrang-ment of the performers upon tbe st was novel. On either side were three THrobos ;md three Bones, whose rollicking fun was Mifficient of itself to keep the audience "mused. Arranged in the rear were the other vocalists—conspicuous among whom W'ih Miss Eva Gernaaine—and tbe band, an unusually efficient one. Of the solos "The Cricket on the Hearth," by Miss Germaine, waß a very pretty song, nicely sung, its whimpered chorus e iciting an encore. et Billy's Dre»m," by Billy Saunders, with a chorus by the company, partook of the Jubilee character, and was also loudly applauded. Mr Sayles, who manipulates a very flexible mouth in a most laughable manner, sang a very amusing song, "Father of a little black coon," that fairly "fetched" the audience, who insisted on an encore, which was readily given. Mr W. Wesley contributed the sentimental portion of the music, and sang very swee'ly "No one like Mother to me," and " Mother's watch by the sea." Later in the evening he gave some yodelling specialities, and these were some of the most enjoyable items of the evening. The "Courthouse in the Sky," by C. Washington, "Tell all (he Children Good-bye," by H. Copeland, were true '' nigger " melodies, and were effectively rendered. A capital little sketch, "Is Marriage a Failure," concluded the first part of the programme. After the interval appeared the "Famous Black Watch," who performed various fancy military manoeuvres with much precision. A trombone solo, '«Killarney," by Mr Dupuy, received a hearty encore, to which he responded by playing " The Last Rose of Summer." fie appeared to have a perfect mastery of the instrument, and astounded the audience by the melody he obtained from it. Mr Sayies followed with a few laughable sketches and songs, and maintained the favorable impression he had made in the first part of the programme. He was simply irresistibly funny. Mibs Eva Germaine is a singularly graceful contortionist. Her various feats were accomplished with an apparent absence of effort, that showed to what a wonderful perfection she has been trained. Her performance was received very enthusiastically. Messrs Sayies, Washington, Oopeland, and Johnson, two of whom were attired in femile costume, gave a vry pretty song and (knee, " Robin Red Broast," which had to be repeated, after which the three Connor brothers performed some really marvellous acrobatic feats. The stage somewhat cramped for their exhibition, but it was so really clever and interesting that it was an enteitainraent ia itself. The whole concluded with a most ludicrous comedy. The troupe throughout is a thoroughly genuine on 9. Every portion of the performance is good in its way, and, although there is infinite fun, there is nothing to offend the most delicate taste. A return visit would ba appreciated.