BILLY BARLOW.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4100, 29 April 1892, Page 2

BILLY BARLOW.

; The Inimitable Blue Tail'd Fly 1 It is lo be regretted that tlie atton dance nt the Masterton Theatri 1 Royal last evening to hear tli veteran entertainer," billy Barlow,' 1 was so seriously affected by tli 1 unfavourable weather, for those wh< ■ did not brave the elements missed i ; genuine treat. Mr Barlow, who ha travelled the world three times, ii ; seventy-two years of age, but display: ' an amount of vitality which is, to saj the least, surprising. Although hi 1 has not before visited Masterton 1 there are few in the district who havi 1 not beard of the " Blue Tail'd Fly. 1 His reputation was a good one, but it was more than sustained last night From the very moment the enter' tainer stepped on to the platformtlu audience was amused, and as item after item was produced, all by' thf one individual, thp enthusiasm increased until all were convulsed ir laughter, Mr J3arlow has a cultivated anil powerful voice, as clear anc distinct as ever, which he uses to the very best advantage. He is as active as a young man of twenty, and gives an exhibition of step dancing whiel would put many a younger man ir the shade. The first item on the programme last night was a song entitled, " Volunteers Bouse and be Ready." This was loudl applauded, Then followed a musical melange illustrating British bravery, in which Mr Barlow accompanied himself on the harmonium.' The next number illustrated in a highly amusing manner the experiences of a " new chum " in Australia, Then musio was extracted from a wooden instrument bnjlt op ptfaw, the em tertainer explaining tijat whet) in China he had drawn musio from some bricks. A song entitled '! Mary Jane," in wbioh a Jover expressed his tiwrd? a gentle maid in very lengthy tprms, pvoke"4 roars ol laughter, as did also the representation pf" The Little Fat Dutchman." The first part of the performance was brought to a close with a song with banjo acoooipaniment entitled, " The Blue-Tail'd Fly," in which an innocent Negro who tried his hand at singing was tortured by a fly, the buzzing of which could be heard distinctly in the ball, This item caused no endomerriroent, and wasenthusiastjpitlly applauded. The second part pf (,]}o pertain., ment was devoted to charaotej songs and sketches, which were not only amusing but clpyer. The ties of Sarah Wftlljer, gs she strutted up and down the stage in grotesque attire, were only surpassed by those of the "Fair Girl Dressed in 'Check," who was dressed in the height of fashion and captivated all the marriageable young men with whom she came in contact. The Lanchnsbpe Lad, "Smiling Tom,' 1 wbb faithfully represented. A Chinaman, Frenchman, and Dutchman, dressed in their national costumes, were each in turn pourtrayßd, song of the former being accompanied by yp instrjimeflt which in tune yery much resembled a violin, The entertainmept, which was of a unlqus packer, was brought to a close with an amusing daublp sketch of'' Jack Tar," the audience demonstrating their appreciation with rounds of applause. A second entertainment is to be jiven to-night, when we trust to see i packed bwe. To those who can snjoy a good solid laugh, n/j better opportunity than that now afforded jould possibly be given.