Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-04-12
The Merry MInstrels.

! For some years past the remark has
/ been frequently heard that this town
| possesses an abundance OF material for a
| first -class minstrel entertainment. This
fact was amply demonstrated Monday
evening in Dubois a. Gays hall, which
was filled in a way that must have been
very gratifying to the management.
The stage was attractively draped in the
national colors, and was supplied with
raised seats at the rear. The costumes
were eli pretty and appropriate, those
worn by the soloists being particularly
elegant and pleasing.
The entertainment was under the aus
pices OF the Randolph Musical assoeia-
tion, and DR.. W. NJ. Kelly most accept
ably performed the duties OF director.
Prof. l. D. shaw acted as interlocutor,
and Miss Bessie Woodward as accom-
PIANIST. The Randolph orchestra, eight
pieces, under the leadership of +. A.
Phillips, won much praise.
The grand opening chorus, "Massa's in
the Cold, Cold Ground" was sung by the
entire company as the curtain rose, fol-
lowed by a well-rendered overture by the
end men-Dr. W. NJ. Kelly, W. II.
Latham, ID. q. Woodward, bones, and w.
4. stark OF Randolph Center, Guy Wood
ward and Herbert Salisbury, tambourines.
The jokes and numerous local hits of
these entertainers were well received.
J0uu L. hulNHlINnu WIS uthEu To hu=
vantage in the tenor solo, mid the Green
Fields Of Virginia." Guy Woodward sang
u want Ma Lulu;h Miss Nettie Robbins,
"I've Waited Honey, Waited Long for
YOU" and Herbert Salisbury, 81 Want
Dem Presents Back" The pretty lullaby
song, Don't Yer Cry, My Honey" was
sung with pleasing effect by Miss Alice
Woodward to two serious little pickanin-
MES. w. Il. Stark, who is no amateur as
an entertainer, sang "The Watermelon
Partyn and responded to a hearty encore,
A solo, cat the Farmhouse Door," by
Pearl ID. Chatfield followed, and ID. G.
Wood ward rendered "Old Black Joe,"
with chorus by the company. The
favorite soprano, Miss NJ. Blanche Spar
hawk, then sang "Suwanee River" fol-
lowed by DR.. Kelty's end song, "My
Hannah Lady" and an encore, "Kiss Me
Honey, Do.p The finale, "Star. Spangled
Banner" by the company completed |
part first OF program OF unusual excel |
lence.
The olio included orchestral selections, |
banjo solos by MIR. Stark, song and an
encore by the Woodward quartet Misses
Bessie and Alice and Guy Woodward and |
George Chatfeld-and a monologue by
Dir. Stark, who made decided hit with
the audience. Miss Eunice NJ. Denison's |
absence because of illness was regretted, |
and her violin solo, "Darktown Bellies"
was omitted.
Aunique feature Of the entertainment |
was the animated song sheet. DR.. Kelly /
sang ~ Don't Care II You Never Come /
Back, =" and when the curtain rose behind /
him for the chorus, showing a sheet OF /
music entirely covering the back OF the /
stage, the effect was striking. When each |
black note found voice and sang with evil /
dent enjoyment, the hit was complete and |
in response to the applause "My Georgia |
Lady, was sung. Seventeen "notes' were /
counted on this animated song sheet.
One OF the most catchy features OF the 1
entire program was the cake walk by DR.. /
Kelly and Miss Nettie Robbins, which /
might have made many a coon cake-taker /
envious.
The association has decided to repeat |
the entertainment, the date to be an
nounced later.