Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-07-08
The MinRtrela.

opened in San Francisco last eve.
ming, to packed house, many having to
go away for want of seats. Something
new in the way of costuming and stage
setting greeted the eye of the audience
when the curtain assembled. Each per-
former in the circle represented Shake
spearean character, dressed in the rich
est robes, and seemingly correct in every
particular. The end men-three on each
side-were attired as Touchstone, and
the interlocutor represented King John.
On either side of him could be seen
Romeo, Othello, Benedict, King Henry
VIII, Mercutio, Claudio, Hamlet, Timon
of Athens and Hotspur, and in front of
the middleman, posed gracefully on a
rug, Little Lord Fauntleroy, in the per-
son of Master F. Egan. The orchestra
were attired as heralds of differ
ent periods. The blending of the
colors was not only picturesque, but
in exceeding good taste and quite re-
lief from the somber black which we are
wont to see in most minstrel shows. The
set scene consisted of scarlet drapery
looped in graceful folds, with corded
white trimmings around the top. The
orchestr was seated on a gallery in
semi.circle form, while the end men and
other performers we're directly in front.
The scene was very pretty and excel
lently we'll arranged. Not only is the
first part we'll dressed but each succeed
ing act, and at no time in the history of
minstrelsy in this city have such rich
costumes been seen. The ability of the
troupe is in keeping with the surround
ings, and they met with favor from the
commencement. The singers are far
above the average, including such we'll
known faces as Frillman. Witmark, Tom
Dixon and John w. Meyers. The old
favorites, Dixon and Frillman, meet with
an enthusiastic reception, especially 80
the former, who, on finishing his allotted
song. had to give as an encore the old
but we'll known favorite of his,
"Sally in Our Alley" which was
given with old-time fervor and
gained rapturous applause. The
comedians are very funny, Primrose
and Thatcher taking the lead. Some of
the bon mots given by Thatcher are ex-
ceedingly quaint, causing bursts of laugh
ter, which last at times many seconds.
Primrose is quiet and versatile and will
prove a favorite. The interlude has a
number of good things, among which
may be mentioned the wonderful bicycle
riding of Barber, who gave some of the
most difficult balancing feats ever
seen done with the "silent steed."
1t is impossible 10 describe the wonders
done by him, suffice to say that he rides
in every position and manner which can
be devised by human ingenuity. "The
Grand Review" under the captaincy OF
Barney Pagan, is an excellent rendition
of intricate and fancy maneuvers
which must have taken much time and
patience on the part of Mr.. Pagan to 30
ably drill his men in. The gentleman
has wonderful faculty of inventing, il
that word may be used, marches and
novel concerted songs and acts, which in
themselves have made him famous and
stamped him as an artist in his line OF
business. The musical comedians,
Wood and Shepard, are not only comical
cal, but excellent musicians. The cello
solo OF the former and the piano playing
of the latter are something to be heard
while their cornet solos were artistic
and splendidly rendered. Thatcher is az
quaint as ever in his monologue perform.
ances, encore after encore greeting him
until he was forced to retire from sheer
exhaustion. The troupe, as before
stated, is good one, and will certainly
please our public during their limiteC
engagement.-[S. f. Cali.