San Francisco Minstrels

“These highly-popular performers opened for the season their cool and pretty hall, at Twenty-eighth street and Broadway, Monday evening. A new programme—new in its elements, but old in its agreeable and hilarious effect upon the audience—was interpreted for the occasion. Ballads by Messrs. D. S. Wambold and Carl Rudolph and comic ditties by Mr. William Birch and Charles Backus made up, as heretofore, the first part of the entertainment, and the miscellaneous incidents of the second, which included a fresh scene called ‘Flashes of Nonsense,’ by Mr. Add Ryman, were rounded off with a most laughable burlesque entitled, ‘Who Wrote Shakespeare.’ Now that Messrs. Birch, Wambold, and Backus have returned to town, the question as to where a merry evening may be passed can be promptly and satisfactorily answered.” 

“These popular minstrels, under the management of the old time favorites, Birch, Wambold and Backus, have met with flattering success since their first appearance for the season in their cosey hall on Broadway, near Twenty-ninth street. On Monday night an entirely new programme was given. The hall was well filled by a select audience, and it is almost needless to say that the ‘Trouble’ of the evening, which began at eight o’clock, was thoroughly enjoyed by everybody present. The ‘Entertaiment à la salon,’ as the solos and choruses by the entire company are termed in the bills, was all that the most exacting devotee of good music, vocal and instrumental, could have desired. Mr. Wambold sang, ‘There’s a Letter in the Candle’ in his usual brilliant style, and Billy Birch’s ‘Solid Dishes to the Front’ and Backus’ ‘We’ll all Get Home’ created the most uproarious laughter. Ricardo, as the black nightingale, was every inch a prima donna in voice and action, and made quite a sensation by the female skill with which he managed the train of his ‘pull back’ dress. Add Ryman’s exhortation to fathers and mothers for reform in business and domestic affairs was one of the brightest gems of wit in the whole programme, and his hits at the prevailing follies of the day produced intense merriment. Mr. C. Warde made his first appearance in this country as a ballad singer during the performance, and at once became a favorite. The sketch of the ‘Parlor and Kitchen,’ with Ryan, Ricardo and Backus as the man, wife and servant, was given with excellent effect, the way the poisoning scene was rendered fairly convulsing the house. The burlesque of ‘Who Wrote Shakespeare,’ was the concluding play of the performance. It may be said that although the weather was quite warm during the evening the hall was cool and comfortable, the ventilation being perfect.”

Names of company members. 

“…The second part gave Ricardo an opportunity to display his vocal ability and wardrobe as the burlesque prima-donna in several well-selected songs…The attendance has been good.”