Academy of Music.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5183, 27 August 1885, Page 2

Academy of Music.

HUGO MINSTEELS.

There was a crowded house &t the Academy of Music last evening to witness the opening performance of the Hugo Buffalo Minstrels, and those who attended were amply repaid for doing so. The programme was a carefully chosen one, and each number of it was. well rendered. The first parti; was of the usual Christy Minstrel character, excepting that the corner men only were under the calcined cork shade, and the twelve performers in it were five male and "seven r6f the gentler sex. Miss Verne acted as interlocutress,, and to/her' clear enunciation and intelligent bringing out of the points of the jokes, the corner men —the Hugo Brothers —were much indebted for the success ,of their fun. Miss Violet Kingsley's ■"] rendition of " Sweet Violets" was charming, and< Miss Verne's " Cuckoo " song was given so tastefully that it received very deservedly the enthusiastic plaudits of the whole house. Mr Stanjey sang •' Dear Little Jessie" with expression and feeling, and the corner men were successful in gaining favor' for their respective efforts. The jokes were good and mpst of them new, arid the first portion of the entertainment was brought to a close by a mirth-provoking sketch entitled " Back from the Soudan," by the Hugos, Frank Stevens and Gregory. The pianist, Mr Maudesley Herbert was very deservedely applauded for his selections, and his accompaniments were all that could be desired. In the second part Miss Verre delighted her audiepce with a crisp little morsel entitled " Open your mouth and shut eyes," and a well conceived London" Masher" song; Misses. Clifford and Hugo danced a sailor's hornpipe ; Miss Ruby Gordon sweetly rendered " Tit for Tat " ; Misses Verne, Hugo, Olive, and Clifford, gracefully went through a quartette song and dance; Mr Santley sang with good effect "The old* brigade"; Mr C. Hugo indulged in some really funny sayings, winding up with a song ; the Hugo brothers gave an original song and dance, " Courting in the Moonlight"; Frank Stevens executed a clever pedestal dance, and Mr Bigby sang "The Pilgrim of Love." A very pleasant entertainment was brought to a conclusion by the sidesplitting farce "He's Dead." All who wish to drive away dull care should visit the Minstrels, as to witness and listen to their vagaries would make the veriest hypochondriac lively. A complete change of programme is announced for to-night.