Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards (Part 7) -

Lot 1603    eSale    Sporting & General Medals, Badges & Awards (Part 7) - M

Estimate $280
Bid at live.noble.com.au

CLOG COMPETITION, fob medal, handcrafted in silver (45x43mm), no maker, ring top suspension, obverse inscribed 'Clog Competition/Princess Theatre/Duned/24th July 1888', reverse inscribed '1st Prize/Presented By/Mohawk Minstrels/Won By/Horatio Wood'. Very fine.

The Minstrel Show originated in the United States, largely from the negro songs performed on stage by T D Rice, or Jim Crow as he became known after the character in the song that made him famous. Inspired by his success and popularity, other 'burnt cork' artistes, who were invariably white men blacked up, developed their own acts featuring songs, smart patter and dancing. Minstrel troupes - particularly the Christy Minstrels, Burgess and Moore, and the Mohawk Minstrels - soon became very popular in the English music halls.

The following courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past, from Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1888:

"The Mohawk Minstrels, who commenced a season at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night, opened under some disadvantages, but yet gave an entertainment that highly pleased the large audience assembled in the lower parts of the house. The company had been detained owing to the late arrival of the Northern train, and Miss Hettie Howarde, the interlocutrix, in apologising for the half-hour's delay in raising the curtain mentioned that the company appeared minus their scenery and some of their members. As it turned out, however, there was really not need for much forbearance on the part of the audience. We have had many "shows" here at higher prices, decidedly not so good as the entertainment given by the Mohawks. It is an unpretentious company, but there is a very good average of talent in its ranks. Among the most useful members are several of the Perman family, who have visited Dunedin before. Miss Bella Perman has a pleasant voice, sings and dances very prettily, and is so graceful in her stage movements that it is a pleasure to watch her. Misses W. and P. Perman also dance well and do good service in other lines. The statue clog dance by this trio (encored like many other items) was particularly good, and so was their fine rope dance, although the latter is a too risky looking effect to be altogether commended. The company is only moderately strong in vocalists, and the best of these is without doubt Miss P. Roberts, who has a voice that should be capable of very considerable expansion and improvement. In the one ballad she sang "Sweet spirit, hear my prayer " - she showed that she has already some skill in managing a very promising voice, and there is every likelihood that she will do far better in future. Miss Roberts also showed a good deal of archness and vivacity in some seriocomic songs she gave. The "end men" in the first part of the programme were Messrs Collins, Perman, Kockley, aud Lynch, and their comicalities were about up to the usual standard. Subsequently Mr Rockley showed excellent humourous ability in his comic dialogue, and wound up with a clever exhibition of bell playing. Mr Collins, with Miss Roberts, gained an encore in the secoud part for a patriotic duct, and Mr 0. Moore, the tenor of the troupe, was also recalled for a very pretty ballad, "Aunty Elsie of the glen." Another taking air was "The olden story," composed by Mr Charles Waud, the pianist of the company, and nicely sung by Miss Hettie Howarde. The usual farce concluded the programme, and sent the audience away in good humour. At the moderate prices they charge the Mohawks should have a very successful season here."