BFI

A seaside minstrel show, this film shows E.H. Williams' 'Merry Men', performing two sketches on a small outdoor stage in front of a wooden hut at Rhyl, Wales. Eight comedians in black face perform a minstrel comedy sketch, dressed as schoolchildren harangued by a schoolmaster. The troupe then perform as black-faced minstrels, wearing striped jackets and white flannels, with ten sitting in line on chairs, while two perform a dance routine in front of them. Behind the seated minstrels are five musicians, wearing same costume, and playing piccolo, trumpet, violin, harp, and a double bass with a bow. The two minstrels on the ends of the seated line both hold tambourines. These 'Cornermen' would keep up a comic patter during the performance.

Pierrot or Minstrel shows were traditional seaside entertainments and might feature music hall artistes on tour while the London halls were closed during summer. The name of the troupe is written on the roof of a large hut with admission prices and directions for the location of the performance if it rained. This would indicate that the show was well established as a beach attraction.

Bryony Dixon

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