San Francisco Minstrels

“If a crowded house may be accepted as a criterion of popular favor the management here have every reason to be satisfied with the position they hold before this fickle tribunal. That it is well deserved is a necessary inference, and in their case a correct one; for from the time the curtain rises upon part second of their programme, which consists of ‘original novelties,’ criticism is disarmed, and there is nothing left but to join in the general storm of risible appreciation exhibited by the entire audience at the comicalities, ridiculous situations and absurd exhibitions presented. It is all very ridiculous no doubt; but it is very funny and amusing. Last night, Billy Birch in Fat and Greasy, Charley Backus in Animated Photographs, which is a burlesque imitation of the peculiarities of different actors, including Ristori, Rice, Wambold and Bernard, in l’Africaine, or Gambrinus’ Opera of Lager Beer, and the Black Cook, introducing the African ballet troupe, were irresistibly laughter provoking and were received with storms of applause.”