Photograph
https://heritagecollections.elgin.ca/link/aylmer2095
- Museum / Archive
- Aylmer-Malahide Museum and Archives
- Date Range From
- 1950
- Artist Name
- Stollery
- Museum / Archive
- Aylmer-Malahide Museum and Archives
- Artist Name
- Stollery
- Artist Notes
- St. Thomas
- Description
- Photograph of an Aylmer Minstrels Performance on March 13, 1950. In the photograph one man is sitting at a piano and five men in suits are standing behind him. The men are identified as (left to right) Alex Tisdall, Red Grey, Bob Nicholas, Jim Barnum, Claude Monteith. George Hartsell is the pianist. On a duplicate photograph it is identified as “College Chum Reunion”. The Aylmer Minstrels The Aylmer Minstrels were one of the most popular contributors of entertainment to the Opera House from 1918-1951. Minstrel shows were a popular form of entertainment in the 19th century. Each show often consisted of comic skits, acting, dancing, and music. A minstrel show included an interlocutor, performers, singers, and the orchestra. In the center of the stage was the interlocutor, who played a role similar to that of a master of ceremonies. This part was held by Grover Beebee, and later James Barnum and Alex Tisdall. The interlocutor directed 4 or 6 men to create and perform comedic skits, songs, and jokes. Their costumes often depended on the show’s theme, but included outrageous tuxedo style suits, with large brightly coloured bow ties. The men that performed varied from year to year, and often included Gene Anger, Billy West, Scotty Laidlaw, Ken Christie, Fred Barnum, and Clarence Gifford. The singers, also known as the chorus or circle, were a group of twelve men. These men sometimes participated in skits, but for the most part sang in solos, groups or a chorus. Members of the chorus of the performances in Aylmer often included Jim Barnum, Ross Munn, C. B. Monteith, Harold Hambidge, and Army Armstrong. The orchestra often included 6 to 9 members. Included was a piano, saxophone, clarinet, trombone, trumpet, percussion, violin, and bass. Members included Iola Miler, Donald Durkee Sr., Alfred Grimes, M.R. Seed, L.E. Benner, and Ivan Moore. Their part was to accompany the singers and play during the intermission. The Minstrel Shows were about two hours long, starting at 8 o’clock. For two or three nights the show would stay at the Opera House, and then the Minstrel players and their accompanying orchestra would board a bus and take their show on the road to surrounding communities such as Rodney, St. Thomas, Tillsonburg, and St. Mary’s. Minstrel Show Performance Format The First Part began with an opening overture that featured the entire cast and introduced the show’s theme. Then alternating ballads sung by the chorus and end songs sung by the men. Before the second half began there was a ten-minute intermission, during which, the orchestra would play a few songs. The Olio, or the second half, was an assortment of various kinds of acts. The end men put on skits like The Actor and the Janitor and My Uncle Jake. Between the end men’s jokes the singers would perform. The show closed with the Grand Finale. This was usually a song performed by the entire company which would conclude the theme that was introduced in the Opening Overture, and supported in the Olio.
- Category
- Communication Artifacts
- Sub-category
- Documentary Artifacts
- Subject of Image
- Churches Business Men Reunions
- Accession Number
- 1982-012-0012
- Date Range From
- 1950
- Length
- 25.3
- Height
- 20.6
- Units
- cm
Images
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