Piccaninnies

“‘The Piccaninnies’ is the title given to a minstrel troupe which commenced a brief season of four evenings and a like number of matinee performances at Robinson Hall on Jan. 7, under the management of Raphael de Solla. The troupe numbers twelve persons, five of whom are adults, who furnish the instrumental portion of the music, and the remainder are varying from some seven to sixteen years of age. The interlocutor is an adult, and the end-men are very diminutive specimens of humanity, Lew being on the bone and Joe on the Tamborine end. Both of these latter are very clever, and succeed in closely imitating the manner and style of adults in the same positions. Like most juvenile performers, they pitched their voices in too high a key; but that is a fault easily remedied. The first part contained the customary overture, opening chorus, songs, ballads and quartets, which were very creditably rendered. The jokes and witty sayings of the end-men were fresh, and were delivered in a piquant manner. Lew and Joe are the best performers in the troupe, and in the olio they respectively executed a jig and a song-and-dance, which were lavishly applauded, and which will compare most favorably with those of the best adult artists now before the public. Lew performed a bone solo, which fully equaled any that we have ever heard. He gave an imitation of a horse race, with the animals heard almost disappearing in the distance, and the return with an increasing volume of sound on the homestretch, together with all the other tricks usually given by like performers. It was marvelous how tiny hands could accomplish so much. Clinton’s excellent soprano voice gave due effect to ‘Spring, Spring, Gentle Spring;’ Leo performed a solo upon a steel harmonicon, which was redemanded; and the other acts gave satisfaction. Some of the troupe announced failed to appear. We think the nucleus of the company is good, and, with a few additions and proper management, the enterprise should prove successful. Attendance fair.”