The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-20
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PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.



There was lots of pure fun in the Provi-
dence Opera House last evening when the
Rhode Island Wheelmen's minstrels began
their three evenings performance for the
benefit Of Assistant Manager Charles G.
Collin, Treasurer Saul J. Hamilburg and
the Opera House staff. The audience was
delighted with the exhibition.
There is charm about clever amateur
performance that professional display
does not possess Certain elements enter
into the amateur effort which claim at
tention and sustain the interest. First
and foremost there is the personal ac-
quaintance OF the performer who delights
in the cleverness of his or her friend.
Then there Is that large class of citizens
who only go 10 the theater when home
talent try the experiment of showing
their skill and then there Is the regular
habitues of the theater who always find
pleasure in observing how close the
amateur comes 20 professional pro
hciency. Their aptitude, initiative power
and individual equipment for public dis
play behind the tootlights produce vary
ing emotions in the minds of the constant
theatergocr, and the clever things, the
crude things and the smart limitations all
contribute 10 the general enjoyment. con-
sequently all sorts of people find more
or less qualification in performance such
Us the Rhode Island Wheelmcn minstrels
gave In the Opera House last evening. AS
IA matter Of fact the exhibition from all
points of view was surprisingly good.
About 40 young men formed the semi-
circle of the first part. They were all
dressed in evening costume with the ex-
ception of the end men who appeared in
wi iCsa nd fnnpy
tambos We're w. H. Boss, III. l.. Austin,
Gene Chesebro, f. A. Briggs, and
{. III. Jillson. The bones We're w. Nj.
Anthony, w. &. B. Fox, +. J.. Kenyon,
&. T.. Shaw and Fred Luther. T.. V.
Bowen, Jr., the interlocutor was flanked
by the other members of the company as
follows:
a. A. Adams, w. l.. Adams G. III.
Brownell, c. II. Butts, j. III. Bratesman,
q. W Bugbee, Gus Barth, &. Costello A.
;. Cumerford w. j. Dawson, G. T.. Doe,
ii. W Gardner, II. b. Hills .Ir., II. d.
j. J.McCue, A. G. Moore, j. II. Nichols, q. +.
Phillips, J..J. Phillips, III. NJ. Peck, c. ID.
Richmond, +. L. Seabury, +. A. Salisbury,
w. ID. Stone, W. T.. Thompson, w. II.
Thompson, w. Williams, II. ID. Wilson,
y. Wenneberg, j. NJ. Whitford, Ii. B.
the first part W. Il. {. Fox and Harry l..
Austin assumed the premier position on
the ends, and their efforts Frightened up
the performance perceptibly. Few profess
sionals in this particular line of enter
tainment could have surpassed their ef
forts, and 1t was plain to be seen that
they had possession Of considerable stage
experience. Mr.. Fox rendered his comic
sung, Laugh, Yo' Little Niggers." with
remarkable comic appreciation, and his
end work was constantly up to the high
est standard. Mr. Austin. who twirled
impersonation of the high toned coiored
gentleman and was artistic in all his
work. He was an excellent comic singer,
too. Walter X. Boss and William Nj.
Anthony were also smart on the ends.
The chorus while il lacked in volume of
tone was tuneful and sang with precision
and sweetness. Fred IL. Bratcsman was
especially successful with the sweet bal
lad written by III. Irving Dillenback of
this city, entitled Sweetest of Girls. "
William d. Stone and Gene johnson also
contributed to the ballad singing.
The olio consisted of a very graceful
and attractive parallel bar act by r.. j.
the Rhode Island Wheelmen's Glee Club;
character sketch, 1.-The Two Rules, by
W. III. Anthony and III. Williams; Harry
Austin i'm swell negro speciality; a fine
musical treat by Arthur Z. Moore and w.
II. Boss on banjos mandolins and other
Instruments "a funny Irish sketch by W.
Is &. Fox, and character song and dance
by H. Nj. Peck Gene Chesebro, W. NJ.
Anthony, II. Williams, G.. T.. shaw, Gene
johnson, A. A. Adams and c. II. .Jillson.
This evening, with the experience of
last nights performance, the young men
will give an exhibition worth any ones
time and money
Hoyts farce, entitled GA Black Sheep"
will be in the Providence Opera House
for three evenings and Saturday matinee
performances, beginning Thursday even.
ing.