Bryants' Minstrels

“To be merry and wise is the aspiration of all comely spirits, and it seems to be the purpose of the Bryants to show in what way this amiable object may be attained. Their programmes steadily improve in quality, and the artists who interpret them, in the closeness and quality of their singing and setting leave nothing whatever to accident. The troupe this year is made up of the best material. It numbers several renowned ‘stars,’ such as Nelse Seymour, Eugene, Eph Horn, Unsworth &c. Among the novelties recently produced is an African ballet called ‘Love Among the Roses.’ It is remarkable principally for the singularly artistic dancing of Eugene. The pleasing feminine appearance of the gentleman and the extraordinary skill with which he executes the most difficult pas place him at no disadvantage with the most popular of our danseuses. His tours de force are marvelous, characterized by grace as well as strength and agility. In the latter respects he is in an astounding way assisted by Mr. Nelse Seymour, a gentleman who has been gifted by nature with unusual advantages in the way of the rough material for the art of dancing. It is only when he pirouettes that we perceive the enormous size of the stage, and the verge and projectiveness of the gentleman’s ‘light fantastic toe.’ Mr. Dan Bryant executes a pas unique which is certainly worthy of its name, albeit a clear descendant of our old-time ‘break-down.’ The burlesque of the ‘Stranger’ is a humorous exaggeration of Kotzebou's lugubrious play. The lengthy and laughter-compelling Nelse Seymour is the jaundiced Stranger, and Mr. Eph Horn is the tearful and repentant Mrs. Haller. The effect may easily be imagined.”