One of the most popular groups on the road show circuit was that of Clint and Bessie Robbins. In 1983 Clint Robbins had joined a road company in Minneapolis, where he met Bessie Burrows, also a member of the troupe. The couple were married on September 7, 1893.

"The Robbins spent many years after their marriage in Vaudeville in New York and other eastern cities, this followed by musical comedy. Returning west they joined a stock company as a Vaudeville feature at Sioux City, Iowa, and while there developed their rag doll act. This gave them several successful seasons in Vaudeville circuits. They began their tours of South Dakota with the Chase-Lister company…The Robbins show had actors in their casts who later won fame in larger circuits, among them Lyle Talbot, later a successful movie actor and Bob Traut, an announcer for the National Broadcasting Company. The esteem in which the Robbins were held and the pleasure given by their performances is shown by the fact that they played the same towns every year for 20 years until they disbanded."
(Lead Daily Call, Dec. 4, 1943)
The couple gave their first performance in the Opera House in February of 1915, and the company of 15 remained in Lead for a week, each night's performance completely different. Their first productions included "The Daughter of the Tenement," "Ishmael," "The Whirlpool," "The Heart of a Thief," "The Highwayman," and "The Baby," Favorites of the local citizens, Clint and Bessie Robbins returned to the city frequently over the years.



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