Venue(s):
Kelly and Leon's Minstrels Hall (720 Broadway)
Event Type:
Variety / Vaudeville
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
26 January 2016
“The ‘Japs’—not the chaps of the Tycoon—are now delighting and surprising the large audiences that nightly throng this favorite place of amusement. These tawny gentlemen, who have periled so much to win the approbation of a New York public, are justly deserving of all the applause that they receive. They appear in full Jeddo holiday regalia, and cause their patrons to scream with fright and delight at the same time; and the half chop-stick half Choctaw sound of their dialect is rendered all the more incomprehensible through the unintelligible explanations of the voluble interpreter. No one should fail to see this great and wonderful troupe in their daring acrobatic feats, as to do so would be a just cause for hari-kari. The music, dresses, mimic language and performances are eminently pertaining to the ‘Japs,’ and they are undoubtedly the most marvelous troupe, in the way of burlesque, that have ever visited our benighted shores.”
“Leon & Kelly’s band have got up a very amusing trifle, which would make even the Japs laugh, could they witness it. Eph Horn’s act of ‘Women’s Rights’ ought to please our anniversary friends, who will probably remain in the city some time to see the sights.”
“. . . but the troupe at Kelly and Leon’s equal any in the city. It is the last act on the bill, and all the company appear dressed in an outlandish costume; and after making their obeisance go through some of the queering old joking, enough to give Henry Ward Beecher points for a new story. After burlesqueing every act done by the real Japs, several members of the company come head long down a rope stretched from the ceiling of the auditorium over the gallery to the stage. It sends the audience away roaring with laughter. Nelse Seymour’s ‘Butterflying’ is very funny, and Eph Horn, with two sticks of wood, conducts the performance. If any of our readers have the blues let them see the Japs of Kelly and Leon’s importation and they will come away entirely cured.”