MR HORACE CHESTER'S ENTERTAINMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3067, 12 March 1892, Page 2

MR HORACE CHESTER'S ENTERTAINMENT.

Wb do not remember erer enjoying an evening's entertainment more than we did that provided by Mr Horace Chester, in the Public Hall, Hamilton, last night. On the previous) evening (Thursday) Mr Chester opened in Cambridge, where he was equally successful in pleasing his audienca, general regret being expressed that he had not arranged for a second evening. In Hamilton we shall be more fortunate, ae Mr Chester announced, in consequence of the hearty reception he had received, he would give a Becond entertainment to-night. The whole performance is one of great merit. It is rather a difficult task keeping an audience amused unaided, but Mr Chester succeeded most thoroughly in doing so. He is possessed of a wonderfully flexible voice, and this coupled with great mobility of countenance, enables him to so rapidly change his characters, that at first one can scarcely realize that it is the same person before them. The entertainment opens with "John Thomas," the serving man, who details all the annoyances and troubles he is put to in the service of a crusty old gentleman who is much troubled with rheumatism and gout. The shaky old gentleman is one of the best of Mr Chester's impersonations being such a contrast to the robust and sturdy " John Thomas." Mr Sims Reeves is duly announced, and those who have had the good fortune to hear the great tenor, were at once struck with the perfect make-up and mannerism of this celebrated singer. Of all the characters, that of Nurse Jones, with the puling crying at intervals, is probably the most caking, the dialogue introduced being particularly amusing. The audience enjoyed this immensely, as the roars of laughter on all sides testified. The "The Moustacheograph ; or the Wonder of the Nineteenth Century," was a very clever use of liehts and shades, producing moustaches fliall sizes and shapes, from that of youth with its six on one side and seven on the other to tha fierce curl of " Kandy Churchill.' The representation of many of the well known public men of England— the changes being made upon the stage— was remarkably clever and the likenesses unmistakable. Amongst them we noted Bill Sykes, his friend the policeman, another acquaintance the judge, a jockey, General Gordon, the Mahdi, the Hun. W. E. Gladstone and Lord Beaconsfield. The entertainment concluded with a negro minstrel dialogue and song which sent the audience into fits of laughter. The title, "A Cure for the Blues," is one most happily chosen and we recommend all our friends whether suffering from this complaint or not on no account to miss seeing Mr Chester to-night.