Olio (musical number)

"Alabamy Bound", one of many 'olio' song & dance numbers, early 1960s

An olio is a vaudeville number, a short dance or song, or a set of same, performed as an encore after the performance of a dramatic play. The term can also refer to a set of such performances, or to the curtain used during the set.

## History

The term "olio" is believed to derive either from the Spanish olla, originally meaning a clay pot but later used to describe its mix of contents, or from the oilcloth curtains used during the acts.[1]

Olio performances consisted of artistic or literary works or musical pieces, used between acts in a burlesque or minstrel show, similar to the modern variety show. These sometimes included performances by acrobats or magicians.[2] Olios in minstrel shows often contained a parodic stump speech, mocking the oratory of white politicians.[3]

In addition to being widely crowd-pleasing, the olio gave the stage crew time to change sets, as the back of the stage would be hidden behind a dropped curtain. Some burlesque houses would display advertisements on these curtains, similar to a billboard.[1]

Due to their popularity, by the 1860s the olio became the largest component of minstrel shows.[4] The olio was also common on showboats in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

## See also

* The Drunkard
* Riverside Studio
* Alabamy Bound

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cullen, Frank; Hackman, Florence; McNeilly, Donald (2007). Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America (1 ed.). Routledge. p. 845. https://books.google.com/books?id=XFnfnKg6BcAC. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
2. ↑ "burlesque show". https://www.britannica.com/art/burlesque-show#ref111493.
3. ↑ Kenrick, John (25 March 2010). Musical Theater: A History. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 54. ISBN 9780826430137. https://books.google.com/books?id=7JcyEAAAQBAJ. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
4. ↑ fuhrer, margaret (30 November 2015). American Dance: The Complete Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 54. ISBN 9781627885690. https://books.google.com/books?id=tXwmCwAAQBAJ. Retrieved 17 February 2023.

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