The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1908-04-24
SECOND BAND MINSTREL
SHOW is A COMPLETE SUCCESS
IN EVERY WAY.
A BIG AUDIENCE WAS THERE
The Norfolk Band Acquitted Itself in
Creditable Fashion in Its Second
Annual Minstrel Show-kng Mirth
Reened Supreme.

CreditabIe FASHION IN Its second
Annual Minstrel Show-kins Mirth
Reiened Supreme.
The second annual minstrel given
by the Norfolk band was success
In every way. 1t was one of the very
pest local talent productions that Nor.
folk has seen. And packed house
at the Auditorium witnessed the fun
making.
Complicated electrical displays, rich
color effects, new stunts, refreshing
ginger" throughout the shows en-.
tircty, gave charm and a dash that
Kept the audience keyed up to high
pitch of intensified interest all even.
ing long, and sent 1t home with good
taste in its mouth. The band can
come again.
A living fountain OF water that shot
upward in the center Of the stage, an
electrical swing with real live girl
in it, the American stars and stripes
done in electric lights and suspended
in midair-these and many other
evening Of enjoyment and surprises.
King Mirth was at home. There
we're puns and joshes and jokes and
songs to keep the audience in good
humor. And number of new ones,
at that.
Girls Are a Feature.
And then there was a distinctly
new and novel feature for a minstrel
show. There were girls. Good look
ing girls, too. They sang and they
danced and they added new charm
to the old fashioned minstrel show.
The first part of the evening was
given over to minstrelsy exclusively.
There were the funny comedians, the
clever end men, the rollicking jests
that were passed back and forth from
one head to another. 1t was all good
humored, good natured fun.
Interspersing the jokes were the
songs. Solos and chorus entertained.
And did it we'll.
The second part of the evening was
given over to vaudeville specialties
that gave a spice to the program.
| There were stunts that nobody
dreamed could be done in Norfolk at
all. And after it was all over, the
audience went home feeling good that
it had come-breathing words of we'll
wishing for the Norfolk band.
The Electrical Effects.
The evening opened with music be-
hind the curtain-nationa anthems.
AS the air of each nation was filtered
through the curtain that stood be-
tween the musicmakers and the audi
ence, the flags of those nations were
thrown with colored lights upon the
screen. The effect was pleasing.
Persons in the audience indicated
their national sympathies by cheering
this flag or that. The flag of old Ger
many drew applause and "Die Wacht
am Rhein" sent old-time patriotic
thrills coursing through the arteries
Of many in the audience. Then came
photograph Of the Norfolk band on
the screen, and this brought down the
house. After that THE Star Spangled
Banner" rang forth from the recesses
back Of the curtain, the red, white
and blue foated serenely upon the
curtain, and then the curtain rang up
upon the beautifully crimson stage,
with an electrical flag Of America
floating in the air. The cheers that
greeted this pretty scene and the
opening of the show, were truly deaf
ening and continued for many min
utes.
The Stage an Electrical Garden.
The stage Of the Auditorium had
been transformed into veritable
electrical garden, with mammoth red
flowers hung in clusters all about. il
Illuminated by electricity from within.
In the center of the stage stood the
living fountain, with It's sparkling
water squirting upwards and then fall
ing back. Colored lights added to its
charm. In a semi-circle sat the min
strel men, clad in the garb of all ma
tons. Up in the center was the inter
locutor-tall and dignified-garbed as
Uncle Sam.
A moment later the end men ap-
|
All came but one. They had to tele-
phone for him to Chicago Then he
hurried. Within two minutes he shot
into the stage by wire, slid down to
the floor and was ready for business
In trying to tell about this show,
one would like to go into detail and
describe the individual work Of every,
body in the piece. 1t was worth it.
But space forbids. Only jot here
and there can be given.
Among the attractive features were
the Teddy Bear" song by Miss Mar
quardt and a chorus of pretty girls
the drum corps work by small boys
the Indian song by girl chorus and
the clever dancing by Miss Mary Aide
of Council Bluffs.
The following vocalists acquitted
themselves. with credit: Lorin Brueg
WIFI