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A Burlesque of Burlesque 213 But with all your faults, we clearly, love you wicked fellows dearly, Yes, we dote upon you dearly, oh! you naughty, naughty men, We’ve no wish to distress you, we’d sooner far caress you, And when kind we’ll say, oh, bless you, oh! you naughty, dear, delightful men, We’ve no wish to distress you, we’d sooner far caress you, And when kind we’ll say, oh, bless you, oh! you naughty, dear, delightful men. A Burlesque of Burlesque The Black Crook’s triumph invited copycat productions and parodies. In the winter season of 1866–67, George Fox enlivened the traditional English pantomime Humpty Dumpty by adding original and playful flourishes that pleased the eye, most notably a roller-skating ballet. There were also many one-act burlesques. The Black Crook, Jr. competed with The Black Rook, The Black Rook with a Crook, The Red Crook, and The White Crook. Most minstrel troupes included small-scale spectacles with transformation scenes, and by mocking the original’s pretensions to art, added to its fame. In February 1867, just five months after The Black Crook opened, George Griffin and George Christy performed one of the earliest burlesques of the new sensation. Like the original, it was essentially visual, relying on scenery and dance, and on blackface conventions for comic effect, and with a topical reference to the conflict between the president and Congress about Reconstruction. George Griffin was the author of countless, ephemeral minstrel afterpieces and sketches, few of which were published. The Black Crook burlesque, written and arranged by G. W. H. Griffin, and performed by Griffin & Christy’s minstrels, for a succession of ninety nights, at the Fifth avenue opera house, 2 and 4 West Twenty-fourth street, N. Y. (New York: Samuel French, n.d. [1870s?]). THE BLACK CROOK BURLESQUE written and arranged by G. W. H. GRIFFIN and performed by GRIFFIN & CHRISTY’S MINSTRELS for a succession of ninety nights, at the Fifth Avenue Opera House. CAST OF CHARACTERS WOLFGANG HEDGEHOG (Black Crook) LUCIFER MOLLY BONFANTI BETSY REGALIA LUCALICO DUCKLEGS RITALANDA SOMECALLUS ‘‘LEG SHOW’’ BURLESQUE EXTRAVAGANZAS 214 MISERY GOSSIPER SCENE I. A wood—den of the BLACK CROOK. At rise of curtain, wild music, allegro. (Enter BLACK CROOK, Right. He is dressed in black tights, black blouse reaching to the knee, black belt, black shoes with buckles, black wig with hair standing in all directions. If done in blackface, the forehead should be washed clean with a sponge, leaving it perfectly white; rub a little of the black off from under the eyes, so as to give the face a wild expression. If done in white, the forehead must be painted green. He carries a cane to lean upon—it should be an old fashioned one with a cross piece for handle. He is nearly bent double as he enters leaning upon cane. He walks around two or three times, then stops in center of stage. Music stops.) BLACK CROOK. Now to conjure up the spell That shall do my bidding well! More of riches I must have, More of pleasure still I crave. But should the spell impotent prove, While the sprites of earth I move, Then my power on earth is done! Then I’ll invoke the Evil One! (Music repeats. BLACK CROOK takes cane and draws circle on stage, then uses cane in flourishes, as if invoking evil spirits. Music ceases. BLACK CROOK walks down left in despair, then putting his hand to his forehead, speaks:) BLACK CROOK. Alas! I fear I have no power To aid me in this trying hour. What shall I do? My brain grows wild. And through the air on fire I ride! I’ll call to aid the Evil One, He’s just come on from Washington. He’ll aid me in my dire distress, Then send me on to con-ge-ress! (Wild chord by the orchestra. LUCIFER appears, either through trap, or from right. Flash of lightning and sound of gong. He is dressed in red tights, with red hood on his head, and two horns. In his right hand he holds a scroll with which he points at BLACK CROOK, who shrinks from him in fear.) LUCIFER. Well, here I am! all right, you see, Now what is it you want of me? BLACK CROOK. (creeps up to him). I want a dozen magic lamps, To aid through life in picking up...

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