Bryants’ Minstrels

Cast listing for Julius Sneezer.

“The programme presented last evening at this theatre was all that could be desired in the way of variety. The first part included a ‘grand introductory overture’ and operatic choruses, in which all the members of the company took part; also various comic songs sung in the best style of negro minstrelsy by Mr. Dan Bryant and his brother performers. A very amusing feature of the entertainment was the burlesque ballad rendered by Mr. W. H. Rice, in female attire. Equally funny was Mr. J. W. McAndrews in the character of the Charcoal Man, and Mr. Dan Bryant in that of the colored Drum Major. The performance concluded with the burlesque of ‘Julius Sneezer,’ which constituted the most mirthful and enjoyable part of the programme. Mr. Dan Bryant impersonated the two opposite characters of Cassius and Marc Antony, and was exceedingly droll. Some of his political ‘hits,’ with which the burlesque abounds, called forth shouts of laughter. The stabbing scene was very ludicrous. To mention one incident:--Amid wild shouts of triumph one of the conspirators runs off to give ‘the particulars of the tragedy’ to the evening papers, while another proposes to prepare a Saturday cartoon for the Evening Telegram. But more wildly absurd than even this was Marc Antony’s oration over the dead body of Julius Sneezer, which is surrounded by a gang of Sixth ward roughs, and the grand winding up by a ‘terrific horse combat.’ The large audience present seemed to be highly amused by the whole performance.”

“Considerable new scenery had been prepared for it, and, as a whole, it was well acted and created a deal of laughter. It abounds in local hits and allusions, which told immediately with the audience. Dan Bryant assumed two characters, Cassius and Marc Antony, both of which were well acted. In the quarrel scene between Brutus and Cassius, and in the delivery of the oration over the dead body of Caesar, he evoked shouts of laughter. Nelse Seymour’s tall figure was seen to advantage as Brutus, and he invested this character with mock gravity and heroic dignity, read the lines imperiously, and contributed in no little degree to the success of the burlesque. J. W. McAndrews, as the Sergeant-at-Arms, whom he invested with the Milesian dialect, was very funny. J. A. Barney, as Julius Caesar, deserved creditable mention. W. H. Brockway made a good Casca, and to those already named the bulk of the business was confided. The burlesque made a genuine hit, and will, probably, continue the chief feature of the programme until the close of the present season.”