Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-30
ACHAT WITH WILSON
TEE FAMOUS MINSTREL TALKS OF
NEXT sEAsovs PLANS.
he NAY APPEAR IN COMIC OPERA.
Ne ~ Considering an oncr q"
Make This New Dcparture-Win"-
sor Hotel Fire scenes at the Bijom
ThAs Week.

George Wilson, the most prominent Of
ANY OF those who have appeared ~ Vauoe'
VILE here this season, was seen yesterday
By the Dispatch dramatic man in regard
20 his plans for next season The famous
minstrel was in his usual happy mood
though he had just finished with natl
nee audience, which, IN itself, Is enough
70 disturb the oquanirnity of the most
syen-tompered man alive-that Is, II he Is
engaged In the same line Of business as
Nj. Wilson. The patrons OF a matinee
arc generally those who begin TO see the
point OF joke about the lime they get
home. But George Wilson Knows well
how TO deal with those Who sit in frOnt
OF him, whether they be FOR the most
part ladies and children, or whether the
galleries above are crowded TO suiiocdiioh
with the boys" lie has not been before
the public twenty-six years without ieaiH-
ing the art OF getting an audience WIN
him, and then holding them until the emu
MIR Wilson said he had enjoyed ms
weeks stay here very much, indeed. in
fact he always looked forward with plea
sure TO his visits 10 Richmond, though
heretofore they had OF necessity been
limited TO one day. lie was both sur
prised and pleased TO hfd that vaudeville
should have made rapid such strides III
gaining the public favor in THIS com
munity. There was, he thought, no rea-
son why 1t should &ot, however, as long
as the offerings were Of high standard
and only such as ladies' could witness
with perfect propriety. "As far as am |
concerned" said the minstrel, "of course, |
my work would not go with o stag audi
once. The more ladies there are III toht'
so much the better for me-"
Speaking of his plans for next season,
Mr.. Wilson said he had not exactly de- !
cided what he would DO. lie had received I
a very hattering offer In New York 10
appear IN comic opera, and ne was con-
sldering this. Then again, Us had thought
of going to London and presenting his
black-face mOnOlOgue, OF course, adapting
the same to suit the taste of his new
public. In the event he did this, and !
the English public liked him and his me-
thods, Mr.. Wilson said he would probably
remain on the other side two or three I
years. The comedian said since he had
been in vaudeville he had really gotten
more rest than he had had in many
ears OF course. vaudeville work, he
declared, is easier than being on the road
with a minstrel organization. playing
Mcknight stands during the greater part
II the season, and giving the daily
ara6e
And. speaking Of this time-honored Gus
ON Of having a street parade. Mr.. viii
on said that just why a nHnsrel or
Ianization should have to reach town
~ IL y. NJ. and be out on the streets
L noon. while other theatrical companies
My had 10 put in an appearance I'm time
or the performance, WAS a question that
10 one could give any more satisfactory
eason for than that the public expected
I. But the writer well Knows that a
Minstrel without a brass band, and the
Olumn of performers with their high
ats and long coats, would be like q cir
us without its red wagons herd of ele-
hants, and steam calliOpe, which brings
y the rear OF the street pageant. What
would the small boy do were he not al
owed 10 feast his eyes on the troupe"
= they march along the main thorough
are, keeping time 90 such music as only
minstrel band is capable Of? And the
mall boy knows many of these perform
rs by sight. too. and as they pass be-
ore him in review the lad punches the
rchin who stands beside him. as he calls
he latter's attention TO some member Of
he company whom he may happen to
now. That is he doesn't know him I'm
ne literal sense Of the word, and never
poke TO him in his life, but hasn't he
)llowed this burnt-cork artist around
alf the day on several occasions. and
len sat in the gallery at night and
ughsd at his jokes? The minstrel man
ger who cuts the street parade. in
ne sense of the word takes his life in
Is own hands. The performances have