Mr. O’Brien portrays an eccentric negro of the South, a real flesh and blood darky, not an exaggerated caricature; and therein lies his success.
Indeed his depiction of the colored man is so realistic, so artistic and so natural, that in the cities wherein they are so largely represented, during the performances in which Mr. O’Brien was a contributing factor, they would invariably argue among themselves as to whom among their number the counterfeit darky of the stage was most like; it’s Henry White, one would say, while another was equally positive Mr. O’Brien was imitating Jim Jackson, both of these gentlemen named being members of their “set.”
NEIL O’BRIEN.
Mr. O’Brien first appeared theatrically in 1889 with the “Student Minstrels” in Binghamton, N. Y., and nearby cities; he sat on an “end.” He later was one of the team of O’Brien and Bell; they dissolved partnership in 1891, and the musical act of Bogert and O’Brien was formed in March that year, and they continued as partners for ten years.
Mr. O’Brien was with Haverly’s Minstrels in Chicago in 1892, and remained one year; in 1898 he was again with Haverly on the last tour made by the famous manager.
Seasons of 1896-97-98 he was with Al. G. Field’s Minstrels. He joined Primrose and Dockstader’s Minstrels in 1899, and continued with them until the dissolution of the organization in 1903.
That same year he cast his fortunes with Lew Dockstader’s Minstrels, with whom he remained until the Spring of 1910. At the present time Mr. O’Brien is appearing in vaudeville with marked success in an elaborate black-face act called “Fighting the Flames;” as a raw fireman who has bought his way into the department, Mr. O’Brien is excruciatingly funny.
Neil O’Brien was born in Port Dickinson, N. Y., July 16, 1868, and enjoys the distinction of having received one of the largest salaries of any minstrel performer.
J. A. Coburn, proprietor and manager of the Coburn Greater Minstrels, has achieved considerable fame as a cornetist; to say that Mr. Coburn has blown his own horn since he was ten years old, is no reflection upon him whatever.