Grand Burlesque, Trial of Skill or Challenge Dance
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The Grand Burlesque, Trial of Skill or Challenge Dance was a version of the famous "trial" or "challenge" dances[1] done by Minstrel companies in the early to mid-1800s.
A performance under this title was done in Cape Town on 25 November 1865 by the OIO Christy's, when they joined forces with the Ray and Cooper Company for a farewell performance. The evening also included performances of other pieces from Ray and Cooper's own repertoire - Cousin Tom (Roberts) and The Virginia Mummy (Anon.).
William John Mahar. 1999. Behind the Burnt Cork Mask: Early Blackface Minstrelsy and Antebellum American Popular Culture. University of Illinois Press: p.19[2]
