Article on minstrelsy preparations for the upcoming fall season

“Negro Minstrelsy.—Extensive preparations are being made by the several minstrel managers for lively times next season. The hall occupied by the San Francisco Minstrels is in the hands of mechanics, who are putting it in good shape for the fall season. The auditorium will present a clean and healthful appearance. Every part will be freshly painted, the seats newly upholstered, new carpets laid, and everything requisite for the comfort and convenience of the public will be attended to. For three seasons the Frisco’s have given a legitimate minstrel performance, and their efforts to please have been rewarded by not only large and appreciative audiences, but by those heretofore seldom seen in a minstrel hall. A majority of their patronage comes from the city and not from strangers. That they are patronized by many strangers is true, but take their audiences the season through and more than two thirds of them are city folks. This speaks well for the band and shows what a local reputation they enjoy. The coming season will form one of the most exciting ever known to the burnt cork profession. There will be three hands in operation, and each manager will strive to the utmost for the pain of superiority……[sic] The Bryants have lately re-established themselves in this city in a hall erected expressly for them. They opened to a big business, but owing, probably, to the extreme heat, there has been a falling off the past two weeks. As at present organized they have several first class performers in their ranks, but before commencing their fall season in competition with two such established bands as the Friscos and Kelly and Leon’s, they will find it necessary to make some changes. Dan Bryant keeps up his end all right, but we cannot say the same of Unsworth. Whether it is that he is forced to his present style of business or that it is his usual way, we, of course, cannot say. Unsworth has failed to make as palpable and lasting of a hit as was expected of him before he opened. His lack of originality and freshness, more particularly in his stump speech (which has always been his strongest act), and which affords him an opportunity of hitting off the popular topics of the day, we at first attributed to his being a stranger among us, and thought that in a little while he would become once more acquainted with the customs of the country and be up to all the little dodges; but as yet he has failed to show any signs of improvement. It is a mistaken notion for any one to think that one good end man will atone for the short comings [sic] of the other ‘ender.’ Both should be first class. The Bryants have got a splendidly fitted up hall, and to be successful next season they will have to give a better show than they have yet presented, and something fresh, too. It is their intention to bring out in good style all those burlesque operas that won or Eugene in England a great reputation. Eugene, as the prima donna in these burlesque operas, has no superior in the business, and if the burlesques are produced as well here as they were in England—and there is no reason why they should not be—they will, no doubt, prove very attractive, as we have not had operas sung from the original score in a complete manner since the days of the Buckleys, who made them a feature…..[sic] The Friscos intend branching off from the usual stereotyped minstrel business and to make a feature of operatic burlesque and extravaganza. They are now busily engaged getting up a new and original extravaganza, written expressly for them, and which is local in its nature. The scenery, which is being painted by Marston, of ‘Black Crook’ notoriety, will, it is thought, eclipse anything yet seen in a minstrel hall. The ball-room will consist of a box set, taking in the full depth and width of the stage. The dresses will be all new, as well as the music. This extravaganza will be produced in handsome style and will be followed by a succession of novelties written expressly for them. The company will be about the same as last season, including M. Aynsley Scott as basso. The season will open on Monday, August 31st, with the new extravaganza.”