The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-04-17
MINSTRELS TO
BE- BEST EVER
STAGED HERE
Gorgeous Costumes In
First Part Will Dazzle
BY Its Brilliancy

full first part setting ever produc-
ed by any minstrel organization,
professional or amateur, is the
way that Frank o. French charac-
terizes the United Commercial
Travellers Minstrels TO be played
at the Colonial theatre on Fri
day and Saturday, April % and
20.
With week after week of faith
full rehearsals under the direction
of Mr.. French, the members of
the 1922 edition 81 Iinstrels are
rapidly approaching the height of
assurance in their lines and songs.
Accustomed as the public have
been to the high order of the min
strels, the show this year requir-
es little exploitation.
"The Disgloomarment Confer
ence' opens up the first part.
There are delegates from all coun-
tries and they are met for the
specific purpose of diSpelling
gloom. A debate follows: Shall
the Juggernuts Of the Gloom
crush out the gaiety Of Nations.
The debate is furious and hotly
contested but it is finally decided
that the Juggernuts of Gloom
shall not crush out the gaiety of
nations.
At great expense, costumes have
been procured expressly for the
first part from the Hooker Howe
Costume Company. Mr.. Carl
Hooker of this company has given
the selection of costumes ms uE
divided attention.
The music of the medley over
ture will hold the audience en-
thralled. A monster chorus has
been drilled constantly in the rem
dition of the overture which eclip-
ses in beauty ard variety any ever
before sung by the United Com
mercial Travellers. Particularly
worthy of praise is the solo work
which is magnifcently rendered.
The best orchestra ever assemb-
led for a U. C. T. program will
add greatly to the program.
Another unusual feature of the
Minstrels is the All Star Double
male quartet, composed of Charles
Shields and Roy Calderwood. first
tenors; Walter Cox and Warren
Peck, second tenors; Harold Bray
and Paul Farnham, baritones, and
Birney Hall and Harold French,
bassos. Their "close harmony"
and "barber shop chords" will
prove musical treat.
"All stars and veterans of many
burnt cork battle" fits the end
men to T. They include Olin
Adams, Oscar Proulx, Red Knapp,
Porky Harris, Merlick COUNSEL,
Archie Wilcomb, Dummy Abbott,
and Henry Wallace, the latter
great favorite in the Company d
shows of former years.
Their Gags" date back to
Noah's Ark and up to the day of
the show, and they are, above all
sure-frc. Red Knapp discusses
Prof. Einstein's theory of rela.-
witty, Porky Harris discourscs On
Prohibition, and Archie Wilcomb
and Oscar ProulX talk about their
domestic difficulties. Messrs.
COUNSEL, Wallace and Adams dis
cuss everything and everybody.
Fred Gilson as chairman of the
conference relates his startling
adventure at Palm Beach and
finds an interested audience IN
Dummy Abbott. The finale of
the scene is novel and exceeding
ly good from a musical point OF
view
"Hotel Hokum" is AN original
sketch and forms the second part
of the program. By way of eX-
planation, Mr.. French says that
the word 'hokum' is applied to all
time-tried, sure-flrc situations,
gags and business Many bits
of the piece will carry US back to
the palmy days of vaudeville and
10-20-30c melodrama. Needless
to say, these bits are mingled with
the very latest in songs, dances,
and specialities.
An abundance of special seem
cry, galaxy of glorious girls,
dashing dances and excellent char
acter comedy work all serve to
make the 1922 edition of the Min
strels the best ever produced.
To the hundreds of AUTOMOBILE
lists who are planning to motor 10
St. Johnsbury for the Auto Show
on Friday and Saturday. ADrll 28
and 29, the U. c. T. Minstrels will
prove d most attractive entertain
ment. The opening performance
will be given on Friday evening,
Anril 2S. and there will be a ma
tinee Saturday afternoon. Then
the big show, with its elaborate
coe+umes its gorgeous scenery,
and its fund of humOr, will be
p1ven for the third and last time
Saturday evening, April 20.