The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-08-15
Minstrels on q Russian Gala Day.

Aletterfrom st. Petersburg has thefol-
lowing: The Russian minstrels also take a
prominent part in these "gulanies, but
only o stationary one. One or more
troops of them r always engaged for
such occasions, and delight the motley
crowd from temporary stages erected on
the grounds. These stages r simple
mere semi-circular covered platforms
three or four feet above the ground, and
open in front. No dressing closets or
greenroom are required. The Russian
minstrel does not blacken his face or don
resplendent broadcloth and impossible
shirt collars and fronts. He dresses in
the traditional national costume-a short
black velvet coat, without sleeves, dis
playing the wide shirt sleeves of colored
silk or calico, and wide trousers stuffed
into top-boots ; their head covering is
somewhat in the shape of a lady's jockey
hat, with a huge bright buckle on one
side. The performers mingle with the
audience until called by their leader;
then they mount the stage and form q
semi-circle, with their leader in the
center. All stand erect ; we see no
gorgeous chairs, no orchestra. At a sign
from the "middle man" the singing
begins. The charm of vocal music per-
formed by trained Russian singers has
often been acknowledged by different
travellers. There is both harmony and
melody in their peculiar tunes, and the
voices are simply excellent. The con
viction is soon forced upon the listener
that instrumental accompaniment tosuch
singing would be s%uperhuous if not
positively injurious to the effect. The
pieces generally consist of solos and
choruses, and the selections invariably
begin with songso of a sentimental or seri-
GUS character, gradually changing to the
comic and burlesque. TO the latter class
dances are also added, taking the place
of, but not in any way resembling, our
"walk arounds" and "breakdowns. :"
This part OF the performance is initiated
with alively tune by the chorus, begin
ming with measured strains a~nd'gradually
increasing the rapidity of measure, ac-
companied by clapping of hands and
stamping of feet.
Suddenly q dancer energies from be-
hind the circle of singers, dressed as
they are, but generally with some ad-
ditional trimming of gold lace. His
arms are akimbo and he glides with
steps in curved lines from n side of
the stage to the other. At some par
ticularly lively notes of the chorus he
breaks out into O few fantastic steps and
then again resumes his peculiar SKIM
ming motion. But the measure grows
more rapid, the voices louder and the
dapping and stamping more energetic,
until the dance comes to o climax, and
the frisky youth breaks out in q series of
steps and skips md jumps, in time with
the singing, entirely b~ewildering and
Fearful and wonderful" to behold.
The excitement and frenzy are shared by
chorus and audience, who utter yells and
shouts of encouragement and delight;
the legs and arms of the dancer ale i'll q
continual whirl. Now upright, now in
q half-sitting posture, now stopping for
ward and now. leaning backward, he
keeps on until utter exhaustion compels
him to retire behind the chorus with the
same peculiar skimming motion with
which he had made his appearance, and
disappears amid thunders of applause Of
the delighted audience. The same per-
Torrance is repeated at various times
during the afternoon, and is always wit
messed with the same intense interest
and enjoyment.