The Washington times., 1902-09-30

Although the program does not SO
and Dockstader minstrels at the Ma
tional Theater this week is the farewell
tour of this band of merry black-faced
funmakers and singers.
Next year each of the stars is to go
his separate professional way. and il
seems as If they have endeavored in
their final season together to give the
public an entertainment Just bit bet
ter and more up-to-date than any they
have offered in the past.
OF course. there is the conventional
Introductory semicircle, with the fun
makers on the extreme ends and the
serious minded and deep voiced gentle
man in the middle, but the jokes arc
much OF the same sort that one has
become accustomed to in shows of this
character ever since the minstrel people
discovered the almanacs published bet
ter and more ancient gags than the
average comedian can write for himself.
All of the Primrose and Dockstader
Jokes are not of the j. Miller period,
but few that came across the line of
the footlights to say 'howdy" to the
audience were friends of another gen.
Grafton.
Excellent Singing Corps.
One of the strong features of the per-
formance is the singing. James B. Brad
ley. Ora. F. Weller, William H. Hallett,
and Stanley Ford being an especially
strong quartet of soloists.
Mr.. Ford is the proprietor of typical
Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep
voice. and when he sung this favorite
of minstrel audiences in response to en-
encore he completely satisfied the
gathering
George Primrose has a new song
termed "Didn't He Ramble.' and it was
30 we'll liked that he had to sing about
score of verses before he was per-
mitte6 TO return to his seat. Mr.. Dock
stader this season sings about He
Didn't Seem to Notice 1t at ALL" to the
evident pleasure of the people who pur-
chased tickets for an evenings fun, and
who last night proposed to get their
moneys worth If they could accomplish
the purpose by means of persistent ap-
plause.
Neil o'Brien and Eddie Leonard also
came in for a generous share of the ap-
plause
The olio portion of the program is |
opened by Neil O'Brien and William H.
Hallett in sketch called The Doctors |
Troubles which is sufficiently. non
sensical to provoke an inordinate
amount of laughter.
Clever Hoop Rolling.
Ollie Young and brother give an ex-
hibition of hoop rolling that is remark
ably dexterous and pleasing, and the
Pichchslni family, seven in number, ac-l
complish some sensational achievements
in the acrobati. line. The feminine
members of fae troupe in particular
show daring and grace that are quite
unusual in turns of this sort
Lew Dockstader has a bunch of new
stories and songs which he hands to the
in his own peculiar manner.
George Primrose contributes dancing
number to the bill that is far and away
the best thing Washington audience
has seen in long time. Primrose is
assisted by two boys, Johnnie and Will
lie Foley. First, Primrose dances as
only he can. and as no other minstrel
has ever been able to dance The Foley
youths next take a turn at shaking their
little feet, and then the two youngsters ,
appear in the garb of the old-time clog
dancers, said to be perfect reproduc
tion of the attire of George Primrose ,
and the late William H. West when they ,
made their first professional appearance /,
together nearly thirty years ago. The ,
youthful Foleys prove that they are G
clever Sog dancers. and :
tap each others wooden soles, execute d
The numerous intricate steps. and ac-
complish all the tricks of this one-time Il
popular style of stage dancing with the !.
ease and grace of veteran Terpsichor can y
artists. a
RANK DANIELS ONCE MORE p