African American Performers Egbert Austin Williams Essay

Egbert Austin Williams better known as Bert, was an African American performer during the late 19th and early 20th century. He was born in Nassau, Bahamas on November 12, 1874. He was the child of Frederick, who was a sailor and his mother Julia. When Williams was 11 he and his family moved to Riverside in southern California. While in Nassau, Williams encountered very little racism, southern California however was a much different story which troubled him deeply throughout his lustrous career. Although he faced racism throughout his career he still was extremely successful. By the time he died in March of 1922, he had broken down numerous racial doors that has had an everlasting impact on Broadway. He became a legend as a comedian,†¦show more content†¦They were then recruited by composer Will Cook, who was also African American, to join his play Clorindy. After they finished with Clorindy, they formed their own touring company, which they used to produce all black shows which they wrote and co-stared in. The William and Walker Company which lasted from 1899 to 1909, created three important hit productions: In Dahomey (1903), Abyssinia (1906), and Bandanna Land (1908). In Dahomey, directed by Will Cook, opened on February 18, 1903, would proved to be the most successful of the three. The show was about trying to colonize Africa and a couple black, shady businessmen in Boston used the less fortunate of their own race to do so. They must find an heirloom to help fund the plan so they hire two detectives who are played by Walker a â€Å"knave, Rareback Pinkerton† and Williams a â€Å"fool, Sheylock Homestead†. They eventually end up in Dahomey as the rulers of the African state. A review of the show by, â€Å"The Theatre magazine proclaimed Bert Williams ‘a vastly funnier man than any white comedian now on the Americ an stage.’† (Jas Obrecht) Not only was In Dahomey the most successful of the duo’s biggest three productions but it is also made a major racial milestone not only in theater but in social aspects as well. â€Å"The first full length all black musical to play a legitimate Broadway theater in season, In Dahomey succeeded withShow MoreRelatedExploring Corporate Strategy - Case164366 Words   |  658 Pagesgrowth of an Irish company driven from a ‘lean’ corporate centre. Numico – difficulties with diversification for a Dutch nutritional products company. AIB – competing in the global banking industry: the challenges for a mid-size bank. SABMiller – an African brewer takes on the world: learning to thrive in difficult circumstances. MacPac – from a New Zealand start-up to internationalisation in the outdoor equipment industry. Key: ââ€" Ã¢â€"  = major focus ââ€"  = important subsidiary focus ECS8C_C01.qxd