CHICAGO MINISTERLS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2588, 24 April 1877, Page 2

CHICAGO MINISTERLS.

At the Theatre Koyal last night the Chicago Minstrels made their bow to a very good house, the front seats onlybeing sparsely attended. The. performance was exceptionally good, and the audience marked their appreciation by frequent applause. The programme was a long one but there was no flagging on the part of the performers—ho sign of weariness in the ' audience; a very fair test of the merits of any entertainment. Our readers know well that Minstrel Companies have to keep in view the suitability of their entertainment for all tastes, and if there is in the repertoire of the Chicago Minstrels more than the average of the comic element, it is not blameable on the company, for their experience here has shown that their principal patrons are to be found in the pit and gallery. It must not be understood by this that they in any way pander to a depraved taste : they play to - amuse their auditors, and they succeed. At. the same time they produce gems of song which could be appreciated by the most cultivated taste, and in a.manner that would do credit to any company. In the overture and chorus last night several airs of a popular character were introduced, including one of Mr Emmet's— " Little Schneider." Then came a very fine song " The grand voice of the sea," by Mr Marshall, a comic ditty by Mr D. Arlington (bones corner man); " The Lullaby," very effectively rendered by Mr W. C. Hawkins, who possesses a voice of rare compass and sweetness; " Evangeline," by Mr E. W. Cary, sung with much effect; another funny piece ' of vocalisation, fiom Mr C. Wallace, the vis-a-vis of Mr D. Arlington; a very fine solo by Mr H. T. Towle, '.'Hark the drum," with chorus by the company and cornet and 'drum obligate: the first part concluding with '.' Down in a diamond mine by the company, with spectacular effects. This portion of the entertainment was interpolated with jokes new and old, and was evidently much enjoyed by the audience. A.n overture by the orchestra followed, which served to show the ability of Mr Towle, as a pianist, and Mr Tankard cornet player, and then Mr Wallace and the Brothers Arlington gave their clerer triple dance. Mr Marshall sang "Will of the Wisp" very nicely, and some" more comic business was introduced, calculated to promote laughter from the most cynical. In the second part, the most noticeable features were, however, the old song " Rocked in the cradle of the deep," by Mr E. W. Cary, who sang it in excellent style, for which he was encored, and responded by.repeating one verse. A quar-, tette,; "Crabbed age and youth," was; correctly rendered by Messrs Cary, Towle, Marshall and Hawkins, without accompaniment, and in very nice style; and a duet, " Don Pasquale " by Messrs Towle and Hawkins was quite a treat. The several pieces did not follow in this" order, but those enumerated were of a high class,-and really splendid efforts of vocalisation. " The Mississippi Twins " by the Brothers Arlington was encored. It was a funny piece, and was most amusing. Some other " mirth-provoking " pieces were also given, making up a performance which could be appreciated by all. It was announced that there would be an entire change in the programme to-night, and we hope' to see another good house to patronise this very clever troupe. Mr Towle's accompaniments are of . a high order, and the instrumentation- generally is above the average.