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 acting 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 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 fame, albeit a clear descendant of our old-time ‘break-down.’ The burlesque of the ‘Stranger’ is a humorous exaggeration of Kotzebuo’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. To-night a new burlesque on ‘Trovatore’ will be brought out, with Eugene as the prima donna. The gentleman sings as well as he dances. No doubt the piece will be funny. Bryants’ entire company is extremely good, and the management of their little hall is unexceptionable.”

“It [Trovatore] is a laughable affair, and was cleverly given. Eugene’s burlesque African ballet troupe appeared in a divertissement of ‘Love Among the Roses.’ Among the most noticeable of the corypheres were Dan Bryant and Nelse Seymour. These two gay gazelles contributed considerable amusement by their pas de deux; their pirouettes and pigeon cuts and other graceful movements eliciting shouts of laughter. The Lingard burlesque has been withdrawn, excepting the single act of ‘Captain Jinks,’ which is given every evening by Dan Bryant, whose eccentric walk and dance appear to take well with the audiences. Joseph Emmett did an act called the ‘Dutch Orchestra,’ in which he played ‘Home Sweet Home,’ with three variations, upon the harmonies, and the ‘Last Rose of Summer,’ very sweetly, and which was most deservedly encored. Business was pretty good the past week with this company.”