1965 AOR-2.33 SF Mime Troupe Gate Theatre Handbill 6

This double-sided handbill is from the very first days of Bill Graham's tenure with the Mime Troupe. These events are from August of 1965 at the Gate Theatre and predate the Mime Troupe I by 3 months. The handbill advertises the return of "That Minstrel Show" Civil Rights in a Cracker Barrel, which was the Mime Troupe's first touring show. Several months later in 1966, Graham's name still appeared on some of their advertising but was soon removed, as he was involved with his new business at the Fillmore. The Mime Troupe toiled on, in pretty much the same fashion as they previously had, with their Politically critical-ironic overtones and free performances.

The design on this handbill would NEVER be acceptable for public promotion of any event by today's standards. This Minstrel Show was performed by the Mime Troupe in black face, and it offended many - both black and white. Such negative representations of black people left a damaging legacy in popular culture, especially in art and entertainment. Minstrel shows during this era were often the only depiction of black life that white audiences saw. These shows desensitized white people to the horrors of slavery. The performances also promoted demeaning stereotypes of black people that helped confirm the white's unethical notion of superiority. Several years later, however, the SF Mime Troupe changed direction towards more sketch comedy - meets - musical revue-type productions, doing away with the older Minstrel Shows of the past.

--CRITICAL DETAILS--
--TITLE: Aor-2.33
--GRADE: 6
--PERFORMERS: Sf Mime Troupe
--VENUE: Gate Theatre
--CITY: Sausalito
--DATE: 08/12/65
--PRINTING: OHB-C; Handbill
--CGC SERIAL: 2510586022