E. Willis Robinson, the poet reader

              Willis Robinson,
The Poet Reader.
In his famous entertainment: “From Grave to Gay”
“From Grave to Gay”
Is a fascinating Twentieth Century Recital
of Miscellaneous and Original Reading … both humorous and dramatic, entertaining and instructive.
It is not a vaudeville entertain … “funny show,” nor a miscellaneous hodge-podge.  It has been prepared … is presented to
LYCEUM and CHAUTAUQUA
audiences chiefly. It is not, however … lecture  nor monotonous reading of the literary drama; neither does it.. anything vulgar nor exaggerated.
Though given without the artful of scenic or costume accessories, so graphic in gesture, pose and facial are the various delineations that the audience observes not merely the in conventional evening dress, but apparently beholds a variety of and situations.
There is something to please … humor, pathos, impersonations of celebrated actors, dramatic thrills – arranged into four groups or sections, classified according to subject matter.
PART I.
This group comprises several illustrating, but not burlesqueing, the vocal and physical idiosyncrasies... nationalities.
PART II. GREAT ..IN GREAT PARTS.
This section is of special interest, only to students of the drama, but to all who, owing to their remoteness from .. large cities, have been precluded from enjoying great dramatic art … limitations have proven more satisfying to the average audience than dreary … of top-heavy dramas.
PART III.
This consists entirely of Mr. … own compositions, in each of which is preached some lessons—the spirit … for the poor and lowly, mercy for the erring, compassions for the .. war and oppression, consideration for the rank and file.
PART IV. STANDARD.
Although an effort has been made ..void the trite and hackneyed offerings of so many readers, yet in this final … been gathered a few old favorites such as are frequently demanded. … have stood the test of time without becoming banal.
Thus it will be evident that not … considerable thought been bestowed upon the subject-matter, but that … has been exercised in its arrangement.

Ellis Robinson is a poet, but not a high brow; a humorist, but not a buffoon.
He is a graduate of the College of the City of New York, and a pupil of David Belasco. Origin¬ally an actor, he eventually adopted the platform in order to promulgate his message inculcating
The Square Deal
The Brotherhood of Man
The Duty of Charity
as embodied in his poems mentioned opposite.
After several years upon the platform in var¬ious programs, he has now eliminated all but the most pronounced "hits," and has combined these in¬to the novel and varied recital elsewhere described.
Exclusive Material.
As both author and recitationist, Mr. Robinson possesses dual talent, and in the reading of his own works he brings to the platform the unusual advant¬age of his prior training as an actor.
In order that no other platformist may use his compositions, Mr. Robinson has abstained from publishing them. The only way therefore to know the power and beauty of
"ROLL OF THE DRUM" "WRECK OF THE TITANIC "CHILDREN OF YOUR OWN" "MARRIED OVER A WEEK" "PRIVATES IN THE RANKS" "BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT" and that most impressive sermonette
"A SPLENDID CHARGE" is to hear them from his own lips.
A FEW TESTIMONIALS.
Extracts from various personal and press notices,  representing many States,
North and South, East and West.
Virginia.
Georgia.
"IMITATIONS WERE SPLENDID"
His imitations of different characters were splendid, and he held the attention of the audience throughout the entire program.                          THE POST, Blue Ridge.
"FINE DIALECTS"
His rendition of dialect pieces was especially fine.
J. F. HOLDEN, Lyceum Club, Blue Ridge.
Tennessee.
"WONDERFUL  ABILITY';
Mr. Robinson is a reader of wonderful ability and gave a splendid program to an appreciative audience.
MRS. J. W. MEASLE, S. F. E. L. Club, Alexandria.
"ESPECIALLY CLEVER"
His imitation of Henry Irving was especially clever and his renditions of "A Splendid Charge" and "The Vagabonds" were the best numbers on the program.
THE ADVANCE, Copper Hill. Kentucky.
"WELL BALANCED PROGRAM" He rendered a well-balanced program, thus making it possible for everyone to enjoy the evening.
R. Y. MAXEY, Supt. Schools, Elizabethtown.
Minnesota.
"MARKED  ABILITY'
The entertainment pre¬sented by him was a tre¬mendous success, and gave him a splendid op¬portunity to display his marked ability as a dra¬matic reader and enter¬tainer.
F.  E. WlESTENBERG,
St. Paul. New York.
"A PAST MASTER"
"The Vagabonds" was one of the choicest bits of character acting we have seen and his powerful ren¬dition   of   "The   Fire   at Midnight" wasverythrill¬ing.   Mr. Robinson  is  a past master of his art. MRS. J. R. HAMILTON, Daughters of Isabella, New York City.
"A COURAGEOUS" PLEA"
"The Privates in the Ranks" puts forth a cour¬ageous plea for justice to all who have to play sub¬ordinate parts, not only in real warfare, but on the battlefield of life. REV. J. FAGAN, N. Y. C.
"VERBAL MOVING PICTURE"
He ran the entire gamut of human passion and emotion in his original declamation "A Splendid Charge" and touched the heartstrings of his hear¬ers with a thrilling verbal moving picture entitled "The Fireman." BRONX RECORD, N.Y. C.
Virginia.
'ENTIRE SUCCESS"
If the undivided attention and generous applause bean earnest of the sentiment of the audience, surely the en¬tire recital can be voted a success.
REV. J. W. LYNCH, Danville. North Carolina.
"ENTHUSIASTIC" The audience was enthusiastic in enjoyment.
GAZETTE-NEWS, Asheville. Florida.
"CORDIALLY RECEIVED" Many of his selections were original compositions and they were cordially received by the audience.
TIMES-UNION, Jacksonville. Mississippi.
"WORK IS INSPIRING" His   work is inspiring, instructive   and   entertaining. His poem "Children of Your Own" is a gem.
REV. A. D. MUSE, Hazelhurst. New Jersey
"REMARKABLE" His rendering of "Uncle Remus" was great, and his imi¬tation of Lawrence Barrett as "Cassius," was remarkable. ROBT. M. JARVIS, Jersey City.
New York.—Continued "BOTH THRILLED and CONVULSED THEM."
Mr. Robinson thrilled the audience with "The Fireman," and convulsed them with his inimitable impersonation of Mr. Sothern as Lord Dun¬dreary. Pennsylvania.
"UNPARALLELED IN RANGE"
"From Grave to Gay" is unparalleled in range and diversity, and its ren¬dition by Mr. Robinson is a veritable tour de force. THE TRANSCRIPT,
Philadelphia. "GREAT IMITATIVE ABILITY"
The readings from Joel Chandler Harris were de¬lightful, and "The French¬man   in  a  Fix"   showed great imitative ability. RCV.W.POTTERVANTRIES Philadelphia. "EXQUISITE WORD-PAINTING" "It's beautiful and bright Marie,"   is   an  exquisite bit of word-painting, and "The Roll of the Drum" is   cleverly   imitative   of the rythmic beat of that instrument.
THE MIRROR, Altoona. Massachusetts.
"VERY CLEVER" His Impersonation of Sir Henry Irving was cer¬tainly very clever, and brought forth generous comments of appreciation. EVERETT C. MAYNARD, Springfield.