Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-04-08
MUSIC AND nIRTH.
The Talma Club Furnished it for a
 Host of Listeners Last Night.


 last night and scored grand success, It is not exaggerating to say that il was the finest minstrel performance ever given in the city by amateurs,
 The Talma minStrels had been well advertised and as result there was crowded house last night. Every seat in the pit and balcony was occupied and q number of people occupied standing room. Nearly three hours of solid pleasure and fun were fur nished by the minstrels. who charmed their auditors with their fine singing, delighted them with their topical res marks and amused with their pun gent, witty and satirical sayings about men of prominence in the city. Many were the heads at which the puns were aimed, and stinging in na- ture were the puns. but they were all given with that innocence and good 1 nature which inspire the leaders of amateur minstrelsy. A good thing about the jokes was that the majority of them were understood by the audi ence, who fairly roared with laughter as some well known character in the public eye was made the mark for a fusillade of Duns, or as some of the less learned people might call them, ssknocks."
 As the bell went ting-a-ling and the 1 chorus of the introductory piece was heard sweet and low. the curtain slowly arose, revealing a fine picture of the black faced comedians, who were we'll grouped The attractive form of Dr Thomas F. Kilmartin, the only white face in the group, attired in an immaculate garb of white. which was most becoming, stood out in bold contrast to the other minstreis, who were attired In the regulation evening costume. Dr Kilmartin was a decid- .ediy pleasing interlocutor. After the conventional remark. Be seated. gen. tlemen," had been obeyed, the fun be- gan. Attorney John Cassidy and Jo- seph E. Kennedy were the end men and well did they enact their roles. Clever comedians are they and they harness up we'll together. After a little laughter had been furnished by the springing Of some new jokes, Jo- seph Kennedy scored one of the hits of the evening by his rendition of Mister Moon" He sang it with l pleasing effect, suiting his action to the words. He had to respond to sew eral encores.
 l. U Day. was sung by that sweet-vOiced tenor, F. F. Bowe, who had to favor the audience with an encore
 That clever comedian, charming singer and good all-around man. At. torney John H. Cassidy, won the hearts of the audience and their un- stinted applause by his inimitabie rendition of the song. 'sWise Old Owl.n The audience could not have too much of this song and the we'll known bar rister was compelled to exhaust his supply. Though MT Cassidy scored a big hit with his singing, it was small in comparison with the hit winch he made in his monologue act in the sec Ond part. His topical talk was re- markedly fine. He had the material q and he knew how to impaIrt 1t to his hearers. His remarks about the pres ent administration. about Mayor Elton being mayor in name only and George Driggs being the real mayor, made those present roar with laughter.
 Dr John D. Freney sang with that characteristic spirit all his own the latest composition from the pen of Postmaster John Fl. Guernsey, Where the Honeysuckles Grow" 1t is well composed and was sung pleasingly.
 The appearance of the premier end men, Mantin McEvoy and Dr J. l.. Mo- Iriarty, was the signal for prolonged applause. Their gr0tesQue makeup, their ludicrous actions and their funny stunts were greatly enjoyed, but no more so than their clever witt rich humor and fine singing. One of the best hits of the evening was scored by Martin McEvoy when he sang Tn the Days of Old" His original verses struck the popular chord.
 It is entirely unnecessary to state that Dr Moriarty was A No 1. He fs always good. He is so clever, so fun ny, and has such style that he capti- yates the audience the minute he ap- l pears before the foothghts. He made I an excellent presiding officer in the trial of General Van killem, who was sentenced to serve on the board of pubic safety for life. Edward Calla- han played the part of the general, and the eight black faced policemen who acted as jurors as well as guard ians of the peace, looked and acted their parts to perfection.
 T w. J. Hughes was heard to good eff feet in singing the ballad, Cupid Has Won My Heart" while Jerry M. Oaly ITCH VOlCe WIS ub6u Uo good du- vantage in rendering "A Stein Song. |" The grand finale. Miss Liberty" rendered by Miss Jennie Dougherty and entire company, made an appro- priate ending to the first part
 Introductory verses to the different numbers of the second part were read with fine dramatic effect by Miss Ma mic Waas. They were from the pen of Professor Michael Donovan and were very appropriate. The opening number was a speciality by George H. DeBeauheu, who is a clever singer and dancer.
 l. Fred P. Charters and George B.. Donahue appeared in an original 4 sketch entitled "As You Like It" Fred F. Charters impersonation of James Glenroy. the man with the green gloves, was fine piece of work. His epitaphs furnished much pleasure. George Donahue ampersonated one of the Russell brothers in a satisfactory manner and the two succeeded in crowdirg about two hours fun into the