MINSTREL ENTERTAINMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2513, 18 August 1888, Page 2

MINSTREL ENTERTAINMENT.

+ There was a crowded attendance at the Oddfellow's Hall, Hamilton East, on Thursday evening, to witness the performance of the Star Minstrels, and the timds of the Hamilton band should receive a satisfactory increase from the proceeds of the entertainmeat. Tho part taken by the corner men was carried out very well, and kept the audience amused, some of the local hits being well conceived and took admirably. The singing on the whole was defective, not so much on account of the nervousness perceptible in the performers who did not put sufficient force into their voices, as in consequence of the very bad acoustic properties of the building. To the audience the melodies sounded weak as it was impossible to distinguish words, and owing to this much of the bye play was lost. There are other faults with the hall, which is otherwise a commodious one ; it is shockingly lighted, and insufficiently seated. The overture, " Impromptu" by the B:fnd, ivas well executed, and gave evidence of attentive prac tice. The opening chorus, "Down the River" sounded very weak, and could hardly have been heard at the bottom of the hall. "Susan will be there"by Tambo was given with much spirit and well sung. " Duckfoot Sue" by Bones was highly appreciated and received an encore. The accompaniment was rather too fast and spoiled the full affect of a good song. Tho two songs and chorus " Rolling to the Sea " and "Rather," were the best from the company and given with something like animation. The actiug of Bonss deserves special mention, and the excellent manner in which ho related the history of the Camel's Hump and his dream of heaven was very effective. After a short interval, and another selection from the band, the audience was treated to some banjo music by a well-known amateur. Then followed the farce "Rurn'ns from Rome," in which two rivals for the hand of the daughter of a rich old fellow who had a craze for collecting antiquities, and was of course much imposed upon. The rivals endeavoured to palm off on him two street boys, procured for the occasion to personate them, as statues of Ajax and Hercules. After a good deal ot cross purposes which caused much merriment, the statues got drunk and the rivals' impostures were discovered. The old antiquarian, however, bestowed his daughter on the less guilty of the two and the curtain fell. There was a strong orchestra throughout the entertainment, though the cornet playing was too loud for the singing and made it more difficult to bo heard. Miss Campbell presided at the piano in a very finished manner.