U.S. Minstrels.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2782, 14 January 1878, Page 2

U.S. Minstrels.

On Saturday night there was again a full house present at the third performance hero of the 17. S. Minstrel Troupe. The programme was entirely new, and in the first part, which consisted of the orthodox chair business, we noticed that the members of the troupe had acquired some knowledge of local events, out of which some Tory good jokes were made. One of them was, " Why is Billy Howe a bald-headed man ? —Because all the people on the Thames can't turn him' Grey." Another was, " What are the chief products of the Piako mine ? " the answer to * which was, " Mullock and slush." These jokes and others caused uproarious merriment amongst the audience. Perhaps the most meritorious performance in the first part was the singing of " Hark the Drum " by Mr L. Braham, which in itself was really a musical treat. The song was rendered doubly effective by its being accompanied by a cornet obligato by Mr W. Thoinpsou, who is, we may say, one of the most talented cornetists iv the Australian colonies. The obligato was a most difficult one, and was greatly appreciated by the audience. The first part concluded with a sketch called " The Birthday Festival," in which were introduced several songs, and amongst them the singing of "Many Happy ifeturns of the Day," by Mr Campbell, was especially commendable. After the curtain rose for the second part, Mr Holly danced the silver belt jig,' which was pronounced by those able to judge to be a first-rate performance. This was followed by & dtescriptire Kcena, beautifully sung, by Mr Campbell, who also, by special request, sang, "The Tillage Blacksmith." This also was extremely well receired by the audience. The next item on the programme j was a big shoe dance by Mr Holly, after which Mr Braham sang one cf his great ballads and* was encored. Three amusing sketches—" 31ocutn's Dog," •' The pqming Man," and " The Wandering Minstrels," —were then performed, and were very good specimens of the kind of low comedy acting. To-night we notice that there will be a change of programme,

and to morrow night, which will be their last performance, we understand it is proposed to give a grand fashionable entertainment.