Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels

Event Information

Venue(s):
Kelly and Leon's Minstrels Hall (720 Broadway)

Event Type:
Minstrel

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
15 June 2016

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

26 Aug 1867, Evening
27 Aug 1867, Evening
28 Aug 1867, Evening
29 Aug 1867, Evening
30 Aug 1867, Evening
31 Aug 1867, Evening

Performers and/or Works Performed

3)
Composer(s): Russell
4)
Participants:  Francis Leon

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 25 August 1867, 3.
2)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 31 August 1867, 166, 2d col., bottom.
3)
Review: New York Clipper, 07 September 1867, 174.

“VERY OLD ACTS sometimes prove as attractive as new ones, as was the case last week at Kelly and Leon’s Minstrel Hall. In the first part, Mr. Kelly sang a song, during the progress of which a portion of the back scene was drawn and a picture shown descriptive of the song. It was very effective and loudly applauded. The make up of Leon for a lady was one of the best we ever saw on the stage. So complete was it in every respect that very few in the house knew but what it was a woman before them. The finale of the first part, called ‘Man the Life Boat,’ was also very well done. It was a song with descriptive scenes of a ship at sea and a life boat. The mechanical portion of the act was very neatly done, as was the singing. Leon’s ‘Active Girl’ was a screaming act and kept the audience roaring with laughter. The burlesque, ‘Kill Trovatore,’ was a most laughable affair and was so well received that it is to be continued this week.”