The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-16
MINSTRELSY
Primrose and Oockstader's Com
pany at Providence Opera House

There are some things that never really
show
A feature of the minstrel show, from
time immemorial, is the street parade.
Another is the band concert I'm front
of the theatre before each and every
performance.
Both are calculated TO remind the
shoughtless that the minstrels are again
town. although in these days OF the
highly developed advertising art neither
of the entertaining expedients Is neces-
sary to the accomplishment of the pur-
pose.
Still. we are all glad that they are pre-
served.
They are a guarantee that the minstrel
show Is the real thing and they demon
strate loyalty to the traditions OF his
art that is very becoming 10 the minstrel
man.
Primrose and Dockstadet's Great Ameri-
,an Minstrels are the real thing on the
street in front OF the theatre and on the
stage. They delighted large audience
AZ the opening performance last evening
and IL seems rather a pity that they are
here only for this afternoon and this
evening. They gave delightful enter
,ainment in all particulars
In the Eveless Eden. presented I'm the
1rst part we missed the bones and the
ambourine. although the end men were
there Another concession TO the new
century was the substitution OF the Tuxe-
10 for the swallow tail In the dressing
otherwise the opening OF the entertain
nent may be properly described as the
conventional first part. While conven-
:ional II was distinctly OF a superior
dnd. The singing was particularly, fine
The scenic setting was extra ordinarily
'ich. Neil O'Brien and Eddie Leonard, after
hem, Primrose and Dockst ader, were
he end men. The program styles them
testers" They were that. but we do not
.ake kindly to substituting that title for
The beloved "end men"
A funny act follows the music and tho
okes OF the first part IL is done by
O'Brien and VIM II. Hallett. the latter
he efficient interlocuter of the troupe
u Is rough and tumble sketch with
OTIS OF laguhable trick furniture in the
appointments. and II kept the audience
n a cheerful breeze. Then came Primrose
and the remarkable Foley lads whom
Mr.. Primrose has taught 20 dance with
guch success that they promise to rival
lis own graceful stepping. The double
hlog that the boys did was brilliantly exc
,uted quite I'm tho old-time spirit and
~
leal OF credit for doing so much 10 save
he honorcd double clog from lapslug
INTO one OF the lost arts. Dochstader told
huite funny stories in his own very funny
lvay and pleased his audience so thor
lughly that he had 20 beg of from re-
lpondlng 10 the calls Indefinitely.
The concluding acts OF the entertain
nent were OF the variety order. The Great
REWARD gave one OF the most elaborate
lentriIoqulst entertainments we ever hap
bened 20 see staged. The stage was full
bf his settings and figures that he made
leem 10 talk The closing act was an
Exhibition Of hoop rolling and Juggling
hy ollie Young and brother. 10 was n
. Instinct and amazing novelty The hoops
eemed 10 be possessed Of the spark
q life I'm some Of the astonishing move
nents impaired 20 them by the clever
uggiers
The, vocaiists include Fred Gladdlng.
IRA r. Weller, w. G. Wood, Stanley m
rorde and Harry Ellis. who sang sever9i
xquisite selections with the rest OF the
ompany for chorus. II ie curious that
THAT are known as coon songs and rag
lime all only q small place In minstrel