Minstrels

Introduction to Minstrelsy and its Place in the Music Halls 

The American entertainment which was to become known as minstrelsy is said to have started with the 1828 act of a Thomas 'Daddy' Rice. He was a solo song and dance man who is traditionally said to have based his act on the antics of an old, disabled black man who talked to himself.

One of the first regular troupes was The Virginian Minstrels. They came to England in 1843 and were in part responsible for popularity of such shows that swept both Britain and America.

One of the first socially acceptable groups in America, were the Ethiopian Serenaders who appeared in the White House around 1844 and made their London debut at the Hanover Square Concert Rooms in 1846, Vauxhall Gardens and Evans' Song & Supper Rooms. The standard of entertainment was of high quality and appropriate to its middle class audience.

Hanover Square Concert Rooms were a fashionable entertainment locus and the admission charge for the Ethiopian Serenaders was two shillings, a considerable amount when compared to the six pence that would be charged for the music hall some six years later.

Minstrel entertainment was above all respectable. It was accepted by the church. The difference between Minstrels and the later Music Hall entertainments is mentioned by John Abbot in his book telling the story of Francis Day and Hunter. He says: ...songs of Stephen Foster who gave almost a touch of romance to the plantation darkies working as slaves. It caught the fancy of an amusement starved public and was almost the only alternative to the doubtful humour of the Music Halls of that period. Minstrelsy was a form of family entertainment where a husband and wife could take their children without fear of being asked embarrassing questions afterwards.

In its early days many 'home grown minstrel' groups appeared. The style also spawned many Negro delineators.

For many years after the start of the Music Halls minstrel troupes still retained their popularity and their public. Even to the turn of the century although by that time it was diminishing.

The usual stage arrangement for a minstrel show was a semi-circle with a central character called 'Mr Interloctor' and (two side or end men known as xxxxx and 'Mr. Bones'.) needs further investigation. FD

Of the many ‘home grown’ troupes, three are particularly remembered. These were The Moore & Burgess Minstrels, The Manhattan Minstrels and The Mohawk Minstrels, who's stories intertwine.

They continued to enjoy public favour, and soon began to discover a surprising amount of talent amongst its members. From this party came the genius of Little Thomas, George D'Albert, Johnny Danvers (uncle to Dan Leno), Johnny Schofield, one of the best comedy singers and female impersonators that ever trod the stage, and Tom Birchmore, the famous Stump Orator.

From The Illustrated Victorian Song Book,
The Memories Linger On
and John Abbot's story of Francis Day and Hunter.