Wood’s Minstrels

“W.S. Budworth, comedian and banjoist, who has been engaged as end, in Fox’s place, with Wood’s Minstrels, will make his first appearance with the troupe this evening, May 9th. Last week Glenn kept up one end, and Boyce the other. A lively programme is offered this week, among the good things being ‘Challenge Dance,’ a very laughable little bit, with Frank Brower and J.T. Boyce as the rival dancers.”

Advertisement: New York Clipper, 14 May 1864, 40.

Review: New York Clipper, 21 May 1864, 46.

“Wood’s Minstrels gave its patrons last week an unusually attractive programme, and considering the war excitement, the house was well attended. Mr. W.S. Budworth made his bow at this establishment on the 9th inst., on the end, as bones, Boyce having changed his base and taken Charley Fox’s ‘point,’ as Tambo. We were present on the 10th inst., and were much pleased with Mr. Budworth as an end man and as a general comedian. He is exceedingly versatile. His playing of the bones and banjo solos is surprisingly fine, and his song of ‘Three Hundred Dollars More’ is about one of the best things we’ve heard for some time. Fun twinkles in his eyes, and fun plays around the corners of his cavernous mouth. His banjo solo was heartily encored, and he seemed to please all by his sallies of wit. The singing quartette is good, the several voices blended together discoursing most beautiful music. The burlesque Germania rehearsal is one of the best things this troupe has ever given. It is a capital take off, and Frank Brower as the Conductor is “emense,” [sic] creating a great deal of merriment by his comical wielding of the baton. Messrs. Henry and Peakes execute a vocal duet in capital style, singing the ‘Larboard Watch’ with a delicacy seldom equalled [sic].”