A Concert in the Parish Room

The Parish Room, which stood in North End
R H Clark postcard supplied by Ann Handscombe

The following report appeared in the Royston Crow on 20th January 1891:

On Tuesday evening January 20th, another very successful concert was given in the Parish Room by the original “Black Boys” for the benefit of local charities.  there was a good audience, and judging from the roars of laughter and applause, they appreciated the minstrels’ efforts to entertain.  The songs and choruses were very good and well sung.  Encores were not allowed, owing to the long programme, but the songs of Messrs. Gibbs, Reynolds and Nelson, were most persistently redemanded, and they were compelled to comply.  Mr Gibbs was at home as interlocutor, and Mr J Reynolds and Mr Percy Wedd, as corner men, were again most amusing with their witty jokes and drollery.  The stump speech on “Sound” was cleverly delivered by Mr Nelson, also the dialogue, “Stocks up and stocks down” by Messrs Reynolds and Waller, eliciting much laughter and applause for their comic acting.  Mr G Ward acted as musical director.

The following is the programme:
Part I
Opening March
song and chorus: “Patrick Mind the Baby”, W Guiver
Ballad: “The Song That Reached My Heart”, H Gibbs
Song and chorus: “Clara Nolan’s Ball”, J A Reynolds
Song and chorus: “The Mocking Bird”, H Ward
Song: “The Three Crows”, E Nelson
Song and chorus: “Nigger-Noramus”, P Wedd
Song and chorus: “Grandma”, J A REynolds
Chorus: “Charleston Blues”, troupe
Stump speech on “Sound”, E Nelson
Dialogue: “Stops Up and Stocks Down”, Reynolds and Waller

Part II
Song and chorus: “Carry Me Back to Tennessee”, W Jellice
Sng and chorus: “Hen Convention”, E Nelson
“A Boy’s Best Friend is his Mother”, H Gibbs
Song and chorus: “Dat’s Berry Queer”, H Ward
Song and chorus: “Der’s One More Ribber”, P Wedd
Song and chorus: “Keep in de Middle of de Road”, J A Reynolds
Song and chorus: “Good Night”, H Gibbs
God Save the Queen

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