San Francisco Minstrels

“David Wambold was prevented from appearing with the San Francisco Minstrels on March 26th, in consequence of an ulcerated throat, from which he has been suffering for some time, and it has been with considerable difficulty that he could sing for several weeks. An apology was made for his non-appearance, and a song by Mr. Grier was substituted. Billy Birch sang last week, for the first time, the London comic song of ‘Not for Joseph’; the finale to the first part, by the company, consisting of nursery rhymes, was very laughable, and appeared to please every one. Charley Backus’ gymnastic exercises of ‘Paw, the Russian Somerseter,’ were ludicrous in the extreme. Mr. Donniker’s violin solo was heartily and deservedly applauded. He is a first class musician, and plays a beautiful solo. Bobby Newcomb’s songs and dances take very well; in fact, he is called out two or three times each evening. The burlesque of ‘Under the Kerosene Lamp,’ which is just long enough to please, is a laughable affair, particularly Billy Birch’s mode of placing himself upon a railroad track and bringing the train to a full stop.”