Neal Abel, who appeared with much success with Primrose’s Minstrels about four years ago, subsequently went into vaudeville with Dave Irwin. Mr. Abel is unquestionably a comedian of more than ordinary merit; and anyone in Kansas City, Mo., will tell you the same thing.
Charles Hilliard (Hurst). From chorus man to burlesque prima donna in two years is certainly going some; nevertheless, that is the proud distinction accorded to the subject of this sketch, who made his first professional appearance with Frank Lalor in “Prince Humbug” in 1908, in the minor capacity already referred to. The following year Mr. Hilliard was engaged with Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels, also as a chorus singer; before the season was over he was playing a prominent part in the after-piece.
August 10, 1910, Mr. Hilliard played for the first time, the principal female role in the “Firemen’s Picnic” with George Evans’ Minstrels; his success was emphatic.
Charles Hilliard was born in Sumter, S. C., June 23, 1885.
Earl Benham (James Benham) made his first professional appearance in 1903 in the chorus of “The Fisher Maiden,” and has been fond of fish ever since; this is of course sub rosa.
It was in the year of 1907 that Mr. Benham acquired his first minstrel experience, and came face to face with a box of cork. The following year he was a ballad singer with Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels, and in 1909 he began his second season with that company, playing an end, working in a big song and dance number and in the after-piece.
Mr. Benham is an accomplished dancer and possesses a pleasing tenor voice.
As a composer he has won conspicuous success, some of his best compositions being “I’m Happy When the Band Plays Dixie,” “My Little Rose of Killarney,” “Mandy,” “May Moon” and “I Can’t Think of Anything That’s Half As Sweet as You,” the latter by all odds having one of the sweetest refrains heard in years.
At the conclusion of the season of 1909-10, Mr. Benham, in conjunction with John King, went in vaudeville, making their first appearance at the Warburton Theatre, Yonkers, N. Y., May 22, 1910.
At the present time, Mr. Benham and Miss Effie Snowden are meeting with pronounced success in a clever singing and dancing act; vaudeville, of course.