San Francisco Minstrels

“The entertainments of this company are especially commendable for their neatness of language, superior vocal merits, original flakes of wit, and intense comicality of eccentric acts.”

“The San Francisco Minstrels reopened their temple of harmony last evening with an entirely new and original opera bouffe, entitled, ‘Barber Brown.’ If ‘Barber Brown’ is intended as a burlesque on Barbe Bleue it would be as well to mention that fact on the programme. That portion of the evening’s entertainment may be distinguished as legitimate negro minstrelsy.”

“The entertainments of this company are especially recommendable for their neatness of language, superior vocal merits, original flakes of wit, and intense comicality of eccentric acts.”

“The San Francisco Minstrels open their season at their hall, 585 Broadway, this evening, with the usual first part and olio, and the first production of an opera bouffe written expressly for them, entitled ‘Barber Brown, or the Pacific Sloper,’ which has been some time in preparation, and will be carefully produced with entirely new scenery, costumes, and ‘props.’ The scenery has been painted by Marston, o’ ‘Black Crook’ notoriety. Having already seen it we can say that it is not only magnificent but equal if not superior to any ever before seen in a minstrel hall. Billy Birch and Charles Backus will continue to indulge in sallies of wit and humor on the ends, while Bernard will see that the middle business is as carefully attended to as it always has been by him. Wambold’s ballads have always been a great feature at this house, and he will also make a feature of Dutch business this season. M. Ainsley Scott, one of the best bassos in the business, has been retained, also other old favorites, as well as several new faces. The orgies commence at 8, and the dissipation ceases at 10.”

“The jovial crew who compose the San Francisco Minstrels confine themselves mainly to the old style of entertainment, which they interpret with irresistible humor. The company is indissoluble, and remains the same as before. A novelty was presented on Monday night called ‘Barber Brown.’ Every one supposed that it was a burlesque on ‘Barbe Bleue,’ but it has nothing to do with that wicked work. It is simply a farce of a broad pattern, interspersed with music. The plot is apparent from the opening scene, but the characters—sustained by Bernard, Birch, Wambold, Rice and Backus—have verge and scope for humorous delineation, and the affair passes off pleasantly. The last scene is a beautiful specimen of scene painting, and seems almost out of place in such a piece.”

“The San Francisco Minstrels opened their season on Aug. 31st. Notwithstanding the rain fell very heavily just as the doors opened, the hall was well filled and the attendance throughout the week was large. The hall has been very tastily fitted up and looks as good as new. The regular first part was given with ten performers besides the pianist. Ainsley Scott sang ‘Let All Obey’ from The Enchantress, in a beautiful manner, and David Wambold sang Ordway’s song of ‘Tell Me, Darling, that You Love Me,’ which was heartily encored. He was suffering from a cold and, under the circumstances, did well. The quartet is one of the best that has been heard in a minstrel band in this city for a long time. Birch and Backus, on the ends, were funny, as usual, and told some gags and conundrums that were not only laughable but apparently of recent origin. In the olio Bobby Newcomb gave a song and dance of the ‘Two Sisters,’ Lew Brimmer executed a banjo solo, and Cooper and Fields did a double clog dance, besides several other acts, all of which were well received. A sketch called ‘Barber Brown’ concluded the evening’s amusement. It is not a burlesque on Barbe Bleue, as supposed, but a most laughable afterpiece, in which Birch, Bernard, Backus, Rice, and Wambold have some very laughable business. The make-up of Backus for a huge negro wench is immense, his very appearance causing roars of laughter. Birch makes a hearty gazelle, and skims over the stage as lively as a clam. His scenes with Backus are ludicrously funny. Bernard makes up well for dandy, Rice does the injured wife to perfection, and Wambold is in his element as a Dutch waiter. It has been placed upon the stage in a careful manner, the scenery being magnificent, particularly the last scene, and from the rising to the lowering of the curtain the audience are kept in roars of laughter, which is the great aim of minstrelsy.”