Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to dateRice, Edw. Le Roy (Edward Le Roy)
History
Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to date
Rice, Edw. Le Roy (Edward Le Roy)
Actors -- United States; Minstrel shows
The Buckleys were the first recognized company from the East to visit
California, which they did in 1852; they played in tents at $3 per
ticket. In June, 1853, they made their third New York appearance at the
Chinese Assembly Room, 539 Broadway, which they leased and made into a
minstrel hall; they remained three years. August 25, 1856, they opened
at 585 Broadway; their last performance there was January 9, 1858;
subsequently they played a brief engagement at 444 Broadway, commencing
two days later.
In May, 1858, they began a brief engagement at the Ordway Hall in
Boston, and in November, same year, they began a short season at
Allston Hall on Tremont Street; subsequently returning to New York at
585 Broadway, opening July 11, 1859.
On March 21, 1860, they sailed again for England, where they met with
pronounced success; in this engagement they played under their own
names.
As a matter of actual fact, their success was so great, that rival
managers became jealous, and succeeded in digging up an old law which
prevented an opera other than the Royal Opera from being given; as the
Buckley’s success depended on the production of these operas, which
they produced on a lavish scale, they were compelled to return to
America, which they did in 1861. After playing several engagements,
they returned to Boston and opened at Allston Hall, October 13, 1862.
December 22, same year, they began an engagement at the Palace of
Music, New York (the present site of the Fourteenth Street Theatre),
and June 15, 1863, they again visited Boston, appearing at the new
hall, corner Chauncey and Summer Streets, remaining until April 9, 1866.
The retirement of James Buckley and the deaths of R. Bishop and Fred
Buckley, left only G. Swayne Buckley, who reorganized the company and
toured with intermittent success and failure until about 1876, when the
Buckley’s Serenaders passed into oblivion.
Such is the history of this famous family whose talents and versatility
are beyond comprehension to the present generation.
They were the first company to produce burlesque opera, which they did
on a scale of magnificence never since duplicated.
The company originally consisted of the four members of the family;
later they were augmented by Sam Sanford and J. C. Collins; this was
about 1846; in after years many of the prominent lights of the minstrel
profession appeared on their roster. Mr. Jas. Buckley was the only
member of the organization who was not active up to the time of his
death.
James Buckley was born in Manchester, England, 1803; he died in Quincy,
Mass., April 27, 1872.
R. BISHOP BUCKLEY, began his career in 1843 in Boston as member of the
original Buckley Serenaders.
He was an excellent mimic, accomplished musician and good actor.
He was best known for his performance on the Chinese fiddle, which was
never equaled except by a native Chinaman. He was the possessor of a
good tenor voice, which he used easily and gracefully.
[Illustration:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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