The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-21

ADJUSTMENTS.



Al 6. Field and his band of burnt-cork
entertainers made their annual bow before
an indianapolis audience last night, the
occasion being the first performance Of the
new season at English's The theater was
packed with amusement seekers who were
hungry for good stage show, and. to judge
from the continuous laughter and applause
that greeted the minstrels from the rise to
the fall of the curtain. the entertainment
a great success. Minstrel shows have
the Field company has had strong fol-
lowing here for many years. The personnel
OF the audience last night indicated that a
black-face production still appeals to all
classes of people. The gathering was for the
most part in the easy and unconventional
garb of the hot summer time. and the crowd
permitted itself. when the occasion arose,
to indulge in enthusiasm that would be for
eign to the usual Indianapolis "first-night''
audience during the regular season.
But the minstrel men deserved the appre-
citation that was shown them-or, at least
most OF them did. 1t was evident from the
opening of the performance that a good
deal Of thought, managerial knowledge and
money have been used during the vacation
fancied that minstrelsy is a thing of the
past might be opened. Manager Field has
certainly spared no expense in putting his
show together this season. The first half
OF the entertainment proved the better por-
ton of the show, the stage setting being
gorgeous and the costumes very handsome
while nearly all of the songs and jokes were
brand new. The interlocutor was Doc
Qulgiey, who has been with the Field COM
pany for years. but who is now for the
first time essaying the part of middle
man., having always been one of the fun
makers ION the end in the past. He did
well in his new position, aiding materially
In bringing out the points of the various
gags and funny stories. The end men
were Harry Skunk. Tommy Donnelly, John
Blachford and Lester Fairman, and all of
them succeeded in causing laughter. DON
nelly scored a big hit with a topical song
called What's the User and was Obliged
to sing all OF the verses of the ditty-and
there were about ten OF them. The songs
of the other comedians were enjoyed, es-
pecially the medley by Fairman, who is
a newcomer in minstrelsy, with a good
voice and much ability as a dancer The
ballad singers gave pleasing selections, and
each one of them was enthusiastically ap-
plauded- Reese Prossers sweet tenor was
heard to advantage in a pretty number en-
titled Where the Prairie Rolls Along"
Matthew Keefe rendered two yodling songs
In taking style; Joseph L. BlamphiR, the
contra tenor. sang a love song II Never
Knew which won favor, and the entire
vocal choir. under the direction of Paul La
Lond, the basso. gave, as a finale. the sex
mermoor." The first part came to an
end with a series of transformation scenes,
introducing a graceful dance, when the
Moonlight Falls" by Messrs. Odell. Hyde,
Cawley. Summers, Fairman and Reed. a
soldiers chorus by the ballad singers. and
& patriotic tableau called when Old Glory
Waves" suggestive OF the power on land
and sea of the stars and stripes
The second half OF the entertainment be-
gan with little sketch by the comedians
of the agregation-an act that was not
much in itself. but which served TO give
Quigley oportunity TO display his &C.
centric dancing and Blackford a chance to
The Magnani family followed with a novel
musical speciality. The four men who make
up this family are thorough musicians and
always give a good act. They have been
seen here many times before The Walton
brothers So re an acrobatic exhibition that
is TO be ella sed among the very best acts
of the KIM before the public. and the two
of their name-were seen in interesting
equilibristic speciality, during which one of
the brothers accomplished some wonderful
balancing feats with the aid of billiard cues
and pals AL G. Field appeared in one of
his characteristic monologues and kept the
house in a roar of laughter for fifteen min
utes with burlesque talk on politics and
and his Brother Anderson" The after
piece was the weakest portion OF the show
containing too much horseplay and being
too long drawn out. 1t was called THE
Darktown Circus and Menageries, and
while some OF the nonsense was laughable
down before IL will give the right sort of
finish TO an otherwise good show. Taken
as whole the Field minstrels more than
gave the big audience its moneys worth.