Australia had Minstrel shows in the 19th century - visiting American performers, white & black, brought the shows to the capital cities & mining areas. I don't know how long they lasted into the 20th century. Bob Bolton could give more info.

19th century Jig dolls

----- extract from Warren Fahey's folklore site ("the "N" word which was used at the time he's referring to has been removed & replaced with the letter N.) -----

As the network of goldrush towns grew it attracted commercial entertainers to the many hotels that serviced the thirsty miners. Although some miners arrived with their wife and family the majority travelled alone fearing the life as too hard for women. In reality it was too hard for many men. The gold towns were male-dominated and hungry for entertainment and especially from the fairer sex. Famous singers like Lola Montez toured the larger towns while some hotels offered everything from freak shows to piano players. So called 'N. Minstrel Shows' were extremely popular. These were mainly American and usually, but not exclusively, white singers dressed with 'black face'. Racially unacceptable today but a fact of life at that time. The minstrel shows sang popular songs of the 'Dem Bones Gunna Rise Agin' variety and many of these songs, including Stephen Foster hits like 'Gentle Annie' and 'Gumtree Canoe' crossed over from popular to traditional being collected in the oral tradition. I suspect that the Minstrel show troupes were also important in popularising the bones, spoons and the banjo in Australia.

19th century images of Tasmanian minstrel shows

1903 Minstrel show

sandra