S. MATTHEW'S CLUB MINSTREL TROUPE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9603, 24 September 1909, Page 5

S. MATTHEW'S CLUB MINSTREL TROUPE

A SUCCESSFUL'ENTERTAINMENT. The entertainment given under the auspices of S. Matthew's Club in the Town Hall, last evening was a decided success from every point of view. The audience was a large one, and it is not too much to say that they thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the programme presented., The entertainment was of a very high order of merit, and great credit is due to the director, Mr G. Branson, who is to be congratulated on the perfect manner in which the members of the troupe acquitted | themselves. The first half of tne programme was de\oted to a comedy sketch, entitled "Hook and Eye." The characters in the piece are Joshua Jelding, a retired soldier (Mr D. Walsh), Sylvia Selbourne (Miss E. Jago), Harry Selbourne (Mr D. La Roche), Edward Fairleigh (Mr E. R. Wilson). Edward Fairleigh falls in love with Sylvia Selbourne, mistaking her for Joshua Jelding's daughter, and the officer being rather proud of the idea does not attempt to contradict the erroneous impression. Fairleigh has promised to cure Joshua's gout, and when he calls Joshua immediately thinks that it is for that purpose. Instead his object in calling ia to ask for tne hand oi his daughter. To make matters worse Joshua owns a Iwsfl named Sylvia, and the complications and j misunderstandings that arise can ' hardly be imagined. Sylvia in order to put Edward's love to the test attaches a large hook to her arm in order to'give her lover the impression that she is maimed. She only -, discloses that her arm is perfect at the end piece. There is fun j distributed throughout the whole ( piece, and the characters were acted | in an exceptionally clever manner, Miss Jago being particularly good, i

The second half of the programme ] was taken up with a Christie Min- ; strel entertainment by a troupe | consisting of 25 members. The cor* ner-men were Messrs D. Walsh, E. R. Wilson, H. Hilton, A. Long, With Mr W. Kemp as interculator. The fan was kept going briskly, and there was no monotony. Smart dialogue interspersed with catchy songf and choruses, gave the audience genuine enjoyment. The following songs were rendered:—'*Arra Wanna," Mr A. Long; "St. Kilda Beach," Mr W. Purcell; "The Grand Old Flag," MrH. Hilton; "My Flo From' Pimlico" Mr 'W. Kemp; "A Big Ship Sailing ,in the Morning" Mr U. La Roche; "Get a Lady of Your Own," Mr D. Walsh (encored): "Bayou," Mr V. Sutton; "Sea Shells," Miss 0. Richards and Mr W. Parker (encored). A novel finale to the minstrel part was the "Haunted House," the characters being faithfully carried out by Messrs W. Parker, H. Hilton and D. Walsh. The pianoforte accompaniments were played by Miss Winnie Jones.