THE ESTHETIC MINSTRELS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1719, 12 July 1883, Page 2

THE ESTHETIC MINSTRELS.

Tins newly formed! troujsj rt of , otnateur mfnatrel^gaveilfieiOrat p^fonninpe in , tlie Public H«^m Hamiltouffon Tuesday flight: $|Phe affpearance oK^the fKdll ojr the occasion w&s a {jl'eat surprise to tlfe majority of the^audience, who, were not aware'of the Wrcurhstancefthat the troupe have for weeks been engaged in the construction of appropriate scenery. The effect of the improvements was most striking. Ani elaborate stage fron,t, em? bellished with I 'figures of Euterpe and Calliope, and graced with the Royal Arms, has been erected, the light colour of which is in admirable contrast to the green curtain and its crimson adornments. The stage itself was arranged to represent an interior with doors at the back, the permanent wooden screens precluding the employment of wings. The troupe deserve the thauks of the community for the pains they have been at to render che hall fit for dramatic representations. The attendance at the initial performance was good, considering the uninviting character of the weather. Had the night been fine the hall would undoubtedly have been crowded to the doors. Of the entertainment itself it is by no means easy to speak. While we shrink from saying anything that would discourage the members ot a most deserving institution, we are not on the other hand going to insult their common sense either Tby softening their defects, or by ignoring them altogether. If, however, there were any shortcomings, it must be remembered that these are incidental to, and indeed inseparable from nearly all first performances, and considfrable latitude must be allowed on this account. On a future occasion, we feel sure, the Esthetic Minstrels will afford us something very much better. The company contains the elements of success, and when the members have acquired a little more precision and a somewhat clearer conception of the demands of the particular form of minstrelsy which they have adopted little room will be left for hostile criticism. The troupe have our best wishes for their success ; were it otherwise we should not deem it worth our while to touch on their failings at all. We do iiot purpose to criticise the programme in detail ; the demands upon our space will only admit of a general review, and this in the fewest words. First, then, the orchestra, under the leadership of Mr Holloway, was, all things considered, remarkably good, and afforded evidence of very careiul coaching by the leader, many of the instrumentalists being beginners, private pupils of Mr Holloway. The instrumental music which accompanied the songs in the first part was, if we except the brilliant piano-playing of Mr Warner, not nearly so good. The vocal solos by Messrs fiurnand, Green, Vincent, Trewheellar, Holloway and Wright were all fairly rendered, while the choruses in every instance were carefully and pleasingly given. The weak point in this part ot the programme lay in the jokes, which, with hardly an exception, were either very antiquated or devoid of point. There were also too mauy of them. The second part opened with a capitally played selection by the orchestra, and consisted of a number of vocal selections, foremost in merit among which were the duet " Larboard Watch," by Messis Wright and Trewheellar (by many considered the gem of the evening), and the solo "Eileen Allanah " (with invisible chorus) by Mr Trewheellar. The whole concluded with the nigger farce. " lObenezer's Visit to New York," which depended for its interest on the usual amount of rushing around and furniture breaking, popularly supposed to be characteristic of negroes in a civilised state. If the chief purpose of the performers was to entertain and amuse their patrons, it must be admitted that they were successful. The hour for closing was rather late — half-past cleven — but that is another defect which experience will remove.