Image of a full-length caricature portrait of singer and composer Ted Francis standing next to Irish comedian George B. Leslie in blackface near theater curtains and a potted palm tree; with a vignette of a head-and-shoulders portrait of Leslie at upper right.
Ramza and Arno's was a successful traveling minstrel show active during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Ramza and Arno were considered one of the top stars in the traveling vaudeville acts [1] and were referred to as "comical comedians",[2] "knockabout comedians",[3] acrobats [4] and, "versatile and comic artistes".[5] The duo often traveled with other successful and famous performers of the time. Their acts notably included trapeze stunts, pantomime sketches, as well as various other types of live performance.[6]
Prominent minstrel manager John W. Vogel piloted many successful minstrel companies, including McNish, Ramza, and Arno's Refined Minstrels[7] where Ramza and Arno worked with Frank McNish (Francis Edward McNish).
According to a November 19, 1888 New York Times article, the McNish, Ramza and Arno Minstrels were "having a hard time of it on the road" and it was believed they would soon disband citing Lew Benedict of Duprez & Benedict's Minstrels decision to sever his connection with the act "because he could not collect $400 back salary."[8] Despite issues such as these, the act went on to perform into the 20th century.
