From press reviews of the Cherry Sisters, “the world’s worst act,” a vaudeville quintet who toured the U.S. and Canada in the 1890s:

• “Four Freaks From Iowa”
• “It was awful.”
• “It is sincerely hoped that nothing like them will ever be seen again.”
• “Such unlimited gall as was exhibited last night at Greene’s Opera House is past the understanding of ordinary mortals.”
• “Their long skinny arms, equipped with talons at the extremities, swung mechanically, and anon waved frantically at the suffering audience. The mouths of their rancid features opened like caverns, and sounds like the wailing of damned souls issued therefrom.”
• “If some indefinable act of modesty could not have warned them that they were acting the parts of monkeys, it does seem like the overshoes thrown at them would have conveyed the idea in a more substantial manner.”
• “A locksmith with a strong, rasping file could earn ready wages taking the kinks out of Lizzie’s voice.”
• “Unutterably rank.”
• “Probably respected at home and ought to have stayed there.”
• “It was the most insipid, stale, weary, tiresome, contemptible two hours work we have ever seen on the stage. Every man who laughed or jeered or hooted or howled at them reviled himself.”

The sisters toured for seven years, though, and probably saved their impresario from bankruptcy, so perhaps they had the last laugh.