On the evening of Friday 1st March 1895, St Joseph’s Amateur Minstrels put on a grand entertainment in the Masonic Hall, Stonefield, Blantyre.
I always like to read about the descriptions at such concerts for the public, imagining what it would be like in those days before radio and tv, going out to be entertained. It’s clear Blantyre had a wealth of talent when it came to getting up on the stage.
The Brass Band was in attendance at this particular concert, that dark Winter’s evening, playing their ‘gems of Scotia’ in their usual accomplished style. The programme was a lengthy one and consisted of songs and choruses by the whole St Joseph’s company. In the second part, Solos were given by Messrs M McVey and F.McDonald. A rousing speech from Mr. P McCann was received with much laughter and applause.
Messrs McGuire gave a double dance and were so well received they had to return back to the stage a second time. Mr. A. McCommisky gave a (trom)bone solo which was greatly received by long applause. Finally, the whole concert ended with a ‘witty’ sketch entitled, ‘the Black Judge’, which caused a great deal of amusement.
Reporters in the `Glasgow Observer’ newspaper said at the time, “It says a great deal for the popularity of this troupe and shows how well they are appreciated they are in Blantyre and neighbourhood when it is known that the hall was densely crowded, every single space available being taken by a busy, appreciative audience.”
These were different times, I suspect the sketch from its name, would be wholly unacceptable now, but quite the norm then. AI imagines the scene with the trombone act.
