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Entertainment troupe of black minstrels

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HC Hunt, in A Retired Habitation (1932), page 117, noted that this was “probably the most popular of all the entertainments.” He says: “Every year a troupe, consisting of male nurses and members of the outside staff, was organised… and when, after many rehearsals, the first performance took place, the hall was always filled with patients and staff and friends. The topical jokes were keenly appreciated, and the sketch included in the entertainment was sure of a good reception and an accompaniment of continuous laughter.” Hunt adds that on the second night there was even greater “uproarious hilarity” because the audience was packed with staff and their families and friends. “Cook, the popular ruler of the kitchen… was generally included in the topical allusions, and would get her own back by sending up a bouquet well sprinkled with pepper, or by supplying defective viands for the subsequent supper.” These photographs comprise two formal photographs of the black minstrel troupe on stage at the Retreat and one photograph of one of the individual performers.

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Entertainment troupe of black minstrels

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