Bryants’ Minstrels

Event Information

Venue(s):
Bryants’ Minstrel Hall (E. 14th St.)

Price: $.50; $.75 orchestra chair

Event Type:
Minstrel

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
26 June 2021

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

17 Jan 1870, 8:00 PM
18 Jan 1870, 8:00 PM
19 Jan 1870, 8:00 PM
20 Jan 1870, 8:00 PM
21 Jan 1870, 8:00 PM
22 Jan 1870, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Traditional
Participants:  Dan Bryant
3)
aka My love's gone; Oh, my love's gone
Composer(s): Whirlall
Text Author: Dinglefelt
Participants:  James Unsworth
4)
aka Stump oration; Any other man
Participants:  James Unsworth
7)
aka Two gendarmes, The; Ebony blondes; Britain’s blondes by Africa’s Blacks; Gens d'armes
8)
Composer(s): Fuller
Participants:  [minstrel singer] Eugene
10)
Participants:  Dan Bryant (role: Daniel)
11)
aka Mac's essence; Little Mac's essence of Old Virginia
Participants:  Little [minstrel] Mac
12)
aka Shoo fly don't bother me; Shu fly don't bother me; Shew fly don’t bother me
Composer(s): Howard
Participants:  Dan Bryant;  Dave [minstrel] Reed

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 16 January 1870, 2.
2)
Review: New York Herald, 18 January 1870, 7.

“For an evening of quiet, pleasant, wild, uproarious merriment; for all these, singly or conjointly; for exquisite enjoyment, begotten of the delicious harmony of the most delightful singing; for rollicking fun, inspired by the drollest comicality of wit and humor and every imaginable whimsicality of mirth-provoking concerts, there is no place like Bryant’s Minstrels. Last evening, as for every night nearly during the thirteen years of the performances in this city of this world-renowned troupe, and as will continue to be the case as long as they keep up their present unapproached programme of entertainment, the house was crowded to it utmost capacity. They have got here six of the best solo singers in the country—Dempster, Russell, Grier, Brandisi, Dwyer and Rockefeller. For wealth of melody they are unsurpassed, while for grotesque humor of song Dan Bryant and Unsworth have no peers. But of course the great gem of the evening was ‘Shoo, Fly; Don’t Bodder Me,’ as sung and danced by the inimitable Dan and irresistible Dave Reed. This is one of those pieces of Ethiopian characterization that cannot be described, and after being so long in the zenith of its glorious success we shall not attempt it. There is Little Mac in his ‘Essence of Old Virginia,’ and as the Monkey in the comical petite drama, ‘Daniel in the Bryant’s Den.” He is something more than astonishing; he is indescribably amusing. The Gendarmes by Dan Bryant and Griffin is next on the list. Eugene’s ‘Coming from the Matinee,’ and Unsworth’s speech on ‘Resumption of Specie Payments’ were in their usual happiest vein. The essence of good humor and acting showed itself in the rapid sequence of singing, dancing and the grotesque drama, including in the latter ‘The Frightened Family,’ ‘Squire for a Day,’ and ‘True Lover Never Did Run Smooth.’ It was an evening of splendid entertainment—variable, rich, rare, racy and indescribable.”

3)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 22 January 1870, 334, col. 4.
4)
Review: New York Clipper, 29 January 1870, 342, col. 3 .

“The same crowded houses welcome the appearance of Bryants’ Minstrels, every evening, at their hall in Fourteenth street. During the past week Dan Bryant sang ‘Good bye John, Chicka-biddy,’ and gave it with such a vim that he received an encore each evening, and on several evenings a double encore. Unsworth, for his end song, gave ‘Oh, My Love’s Gone.’ Dwyer, Russell, Brandisi and Dempster, each sang a ballad in a most pleasing manner. These gentlemen are all excellent balladists, and each received most deservedly an encore. In the olio Little Mac did his ‘Essence,’ and the audience appeared never to be satisfied, for they called him out four to five times, and at last he had to give up through sheer exhaustion. Unsworth gave a stump speech, founded upon the resumption of specie payment. Dave Reed is popular in his songs and dances, while ‘Shoo Fly,’ as done by Dan Bryant and Dave Reed, is one of the most popular acts on the bill.”