The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-06
ELKS' MINSTREL IS
VERY ENJOYABLE
Large Audience Is Liberal
in Its Applause
is UNIQUE
All Members of Cast, Two Bands and
Miss Fancy Much in Order.
Singing at Minstrel
Is Excellent
BY CHARLES III. MANDY

Mrth music and minicry followed in
quick succession al the big minstrel en-
tertainment given last night at the JEFF
ferson theatre by the Elk lodges OF Bir-
| mingham and Ensley, in the presence of
one of the largest audiences that has
been present this season al the playhouse
Every seat in the lower floor and balcony
was taken and quite a number unable to
secure seat elsewhere took the top
story" The programme was carried out
as published yesterday morning and lib
eral applause greeted each number. AL
most every singer had to respond to an
encore.
Singing Is Good
The first part entitled THE Palace of
Mirth and Melody" opened with over 60
people on the stage, many of them promi-
nent business and professional men who
acted as the chorus" The ballads and
part singing was in the hands of the
double quartet led by the Thomas boys,
the comedy song and raetime choruses
were rendered. n dozen or more end
men and all joining in singing the grand
Introductory number. Medley of the
South" The second part opened with
a number of speclalties and closed with
a patriotic musical melange. THE Land
of the Free" From the opening scene
TO the closing act the large audience was
kept amused or entertained and there
was not a dull moment during the two
hours entertainment.
Yesterday afternoon a street parade
was given in which all the performers
took part as well as the general member
ship of the order. 1t was conceded to be
one of the best parades ever seen in the
city. The brass band of the Alabama
Boys Industrial school headed the parade.
The boys In their natty uniforms made
fine showing and played in their usual
splendid manner. The members of the
order dressed in fantastic costumes fol-
lowed on foot; other members of the order
dressed as cowboys Indians, pirates and
other characters occupied the band wagon
and floats of the Kit Carson shows, lent
for the parade yesterday. Miss Fancy"
was in evidence and it is stated that she
quite enjoyed herself. thinking she had
rejoined the circus to which she was
formerly attached. Nappi's band led the
second section of the parade, every
musician in the band giving his services
free of charge. Capt. b. j. McCrossin,
grand marshal; Harry l.. White. exalted
ruler of the Birmingham Ell1s. and j.
lodge, led the parade through the prin-
cipal streets of the city.
Local Witticisms Please
Many of the witticisms of the end men
were directed at well known citizens and
pleased the large audience immensely.
The singing of all was of the highest
and it would not be fair to specialize as
all had merit. 1t was the same with the
talk between the inteTocutor and the
ends.
A decided novelty in the second part
was the Harry Lauder" imitation by
James x. Stewart, a Draw Scotch Lad
die" and he looked the part. The Welsh
qfaytet. Irdis Thomas. Arthur Thomas,
Robert Moragn and Jack Thomas, sang
the .Old Brigade" in their usual splendid
manner. Hugh Hill and VIII Metzell in
their little bit of tom foolery" handed
out clever line of patter and highly
pleased. George b. Ratterman was very
good in his imitation and others in yod-
ling songs.
The patriotic finale was spirited and
added color to the scene given by de-
tail of 1nfantrymen under command of
Lieut.. ]. Towles Evans who while the
large chorus was singing patriotic songs,
went through a number of military move
ments.
The show will be presented again to-
TT with a slight change in the pro-
|anme. The advance sale of tickets
Id indicate another packed house.