"The s.s. Melodist."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3219, 1 June 1889, Page 2

"The s.s. Melodist."

Greytown Minstrels' Entertainment.

The Fire Brigade entertainment at Greytown last night was a great success in ever)' way, and there must have been an .audience of over three hundred and fifty persons. We do not bow what the takings were, but an estimate of L 25 would probably not bo far from the nnrk. The outside extravagant burlesque of a fire scone in which the members of the Brigade figured as prototypes of their famous ancestors, "Tlio Darktown Fire Brigade," was tho cause oi simply uproarious fun, and large crowds of people witnessed the alarm, the real house on fire, and the rescue from a horrible death of beauty in distress. This was but the introduction to the real thing" itself—the performance in the Town Hall, and here with the Greytown Minstrels on board the s.s. "Melodist," mirth was indeed fast and furious. The scene, ably painted bya local artist, represented tho fore deck of an ocean steamer, showing officers'' bridge, funnel, mast?, a steering wheel in full working order, and altogether a complete naval equipment. Mr IjtO. Black was tho commanding offer, and very resplendent he looked m a gorgeous captain's uniform with yards of real gold lace. The stewards, upon whom devolved the "funnimont," too Mossrß Duff and Webster, Their wliito pants were one of tho most conspicious features of the" getup," for they were so very white. The scene altogether looked very well, and the steamer with decks laden with lady passengers, gentlemen, and sailors (who were the vocalists), having as its background a moon lit sky, with Plymouth lights in the foreground, was pretty to look upon, The programme itself was too liberal to permit of detailed notice; Everything was well received. Of tho vocalists, tho honours were shared by Miss Orrwho has a nicely trained voice, and Messrs Black, Wiokcrson and Duff, Miss Gallagher also sang' Anchored' with evident satisfaction. ts' the audience., The .farces, "Slocmn's Pog," and "The "Goldseekor'sßost" were iutenself funny. In these, Mr Duff; who was really tho organiser of! the entiro/'show," was simply inimitable, and Mr Webster, his confederate, is rapidly becoming, a second Duff.. MrS. H.. Wi.ekcrsouj also acted well, and he and Mr J, Vernon both did much, to sustain tho uproarious merriment. Mr J, Lucena, as Jooko. the monkey, would nof have disgraced the Boyal Zoological gardens, and his antics, were provocative of much mirth to the children present and also to many.of tboir elders. The. entertainment-, taken all round, was I YBry good, and'we congratulate tlis 1 performors:bn the pleasure they gave and tho benefit they have reaped.