THE FAUST FAMILY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2157, 28 November 1885, Page 2

THE FAUST FAMILY.

The Faust Family reopened at the Theatre Royal last .night for a second season'of two nights, and, as might have been expected from the well-known' merits of the performers, they were greeted with an excellent house. The programme did not differ materially from what we saw on the occassion of their, former visit, but a number of improvements have been made iii the details. Mr H. von der Mehden is an invaluable addition to the Company, and his cornet playing is of itself a performance that __is well worth travelling a long distance to hear. Ho seems to be perfect master of the instrument. Last night he played "The old F oiks at Home" with variations; and as an encore gave "The Last Rose of Summer." The musical and acrobatic clowns were highly amusing,, and fully earned the loud applause they got. Mr C. Waud's violoncello solo was also appreciated. The marble statuary was : simply perfect, and it was at times difficult to imagine that the statues were human figures at all. Equally good were the acrobatic feats of the family, Mr Yon der Mehden introduced several novelties, the first of them being a set of wineglasses, on which lie played " The Blue Bells of Scotland" by simply passing his fingers over the rim. He next played an air on a number of brandy bottles. In conclusion he produced an instrument called the zyophone,' for which, we must confess, we have no special affection. He however, loudly encored. The very pleasing hand bells came next, and were succeeded by the Rialey performance, to the many extremely difficult feats of which a triple somersault has now been added. A pantomimic sketch entitled " The Terrible Infants" concluded the programme. A matinee will be given this afternoon, and in the evening, the family will give its last performanoo in Masterton,