Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1906-04-27
BAND MINSTRELS' FOURTH
SHOW SCORES HIGHER THAN
EVER THIS YEAR.
Well Trained Chorus, Double Quartet,
Soloists, jolly Comedians, Striking
Costumes and Novel Electrical Eff.
fects-The Program in Detail.


Costumes and Novel Electrical Eff.
fects-The Program in Detail.
Probably the largest houses ever as
sembled for a local performance wit.
messed the fourth annual appearance OF
the First Regiment band minstrels at
the auditorium Tuesday and Wednes'
day evenings. The public confidence
and approval which inspired this gen.
eral attendance was again upheld and
reinforced, for the entertainment Of
fered was novel, varied and pleasing
many features being of the highest ex'
celence, while the general average was
wholly satisfactory.
The stage setting was light yellow,
and the scene was made resplendent by
nyriads of colored electric lights in
attractive designs, surmounted in the
center by harp. The electrical effects
were introduced by Horton d. Walker,
and proved great addition to the
work of the minstrels
The costumes were also entirely diff
ferent from those seen in previous
shows, the chorus appearing in white
with red vests, the double quartet IN
white, and the end men in red with yell
low vests. The interlocutor was ar
rayed in colonial garb. f.. }. Fenton
& Co. furnished the costumes.
The opening overture, the Owls cho-
rus, from Woodland, given on dark
stage, was one of the best features OF
the evening. 1t was presented with
intelligence, so that the weird and
somewhat ghostly character of the
composition was felt The scenic ef-
feet was also delightfully."- in keeping
with the music. The solo was sung by
Fred C. Adams. A medley of popular
airs followed, introducing the end men
and closing spiritedly with Yankee
Doodle Boy.
DIR. +. II. O'Connor made an attrac-
tive central figure as interlocutor, with
his handsome colonial costume and his
gracious and dignifed presence. Dur
ing the first part he gave the solo,
Asleep in the Deep, favorite with his
audiences, striking an amazingly re-
mote note, which an unappreeiatlve
end man declared sounded to him like
ell.
Alison Dugan easily carried off first
honors in "coon songs Voice, man
ner. and makeup were a combination
that is not common because quite nat
ural. Mr.. Dugan embodies the songs he
sings. and his tribute to Gravy ought to
fix the savory Wand firmly on the local
menu and boom the gravy market In
Cheyenne. as dusky prima donna,
Mr.. Dugan further delighted his audi
ence. and was forced to respond TO an
encore.
J. L. Stewart did exceedingly. well in
Ehis song, Sympathy, and perpetrated
number of local hits that told. Other
black.faced comedians who sang ac'
ceptablv were Edward Gonyer, in Cen
tral. Give Me Back Ny Dime, and w.
II. Henley. in just Because She Had
Dat Winnin' Way. Mr.. Henley also
gave a monologue containing success
Sion of local jokes and amusing allu-
sions. and recited an April Fool Jingle
in which a number of local ambitions
were called down.
The entrance of the premiers, d.
Frank Shea and E. H. Crane, was un-
duly DELAYED, but entirely surprising.
Mr. Shea, Brattleboro S veteran and
ever successful premier, has previously
| figured in contrasts, always furnlshlng
ample illustration on his side. Ihls
time he did likewise, when with frown-
i ing brow and majestic strides, he APP
peared leading shivering and reluc'
tant monkey. The monkey, 1t was ar
terward shown, could sing admirably
make some of the best original jokes
of the evening, and otherwise add to
the merriment of the first part. his
song, Uncle IS Quit Work Too, was
original and of personal interest 10
many. D. Frank Shea s song, Every
body Works but Father, was given in
his well-known and inimitable fashion,
and, as usual. carried the house by
storm. He was recalled to the abso.
lutte limit Endmen H. 9. Rice and
James p. Ferriter sprung a number OF
bright and laughable jokes, involving
local conditions and personages, and
A. L. Maynard sang Colleen Bawn
very effectively. A touch of tenderness
and beauty was added to the program
by the ballad, A Dream of Boyhood
Days. which Fred G. Adams sang with
exquisite finish and expression, the
double quartet joining in the chorus
The quartet also sang with DR.. O'Con
nor in Asleep in the Deep. The firs'
part closed in a burst of patriotic
splendor, when George f. Adams and
chorus sang The Heaven Born Banner
forming a tableau across which was
thrown a colored view of Old Glory. !.
Part second opened with an exhlbl
ton of sharpshooting by W. H. Henley
and J. Willard Cobb. The BrattleborC
Glee club gave the opening chorus
from Robin Hood and, being recalled
sang The Man and the Beetle. This
number was one of the really excellent
musical features of the program, ant
music lovers thoroughly enjoyed it
Devotees of Terpsichore, however
found their greatest pleasure in thu
wooden shoe dance, by Edward Gonyer
James Blake, and Peter Deyo, which
followed. The dancers were givei
hearty and continued applause, and re
Isponded generously with varied exhibi
tions Of their graceful art. Earl'
Woodward and Frank Crosier gave al
acrobatic performance OF merit, tnei
feats including the swinging OF lndlal
clubs and baton throwing A Sport.
Man, by Alison Dugan, introduced
cake walk in which he was assisted D.
Edward Gonyer, James Blake, Pete
Deyo, J. L. Stewart, and Louis Rey
noids, the two latter with Mr.. Duga1
appearing as ladies of color. 1t wa
another spirited and graceful act.
The show closed, as it opened, witt
something entirely novel and distinct
lly good. The Brains of the Bunch,
=: n,o,r Mottor was an oripina