DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 21, 1903 - March 14, 1904

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 21, 1903 - March 14, 1904

Page 44

44
Report on Show Keith's theatre, Providence, R. I. Week of October 26, 1903. (Charles Lovenberg)
The bill this week is not very satisfactory, the very early parts are quite poor. There are too many picture acts and Stereoptican and things of that kind in the show and a lack of comedy and also a very hard show to put together, in fact it is one of the impossible ones to get just right and there is too much of it. We could have spared one act easily.
Sanford Sisters.
Musical act. Fair. 10 min. close with about two min. in one. 3 shows.
Naomi Ethardo.
Equilibrist and contortionist. She is about the same as usual which to my mind is always about fair. 8 min. full stage, 3 shows.
Three Kelcey Sisters.
Song and dance. I consider this a very poor act. If they had not played around the circuit I should feel sure I should have closed them. 7 min. in one, three shows.
Morrisey & Rich.
In their old act, singing, talking, and dancing, which would have been thoroughly all right if it had gone on a little earlier, as it was it went first rate, but I think principally because the audience had seen nothing up to that time and it was worth their attention. 15 min. in one, 3 shows.
Roatina & Stevens.
Singing and dancing. This act has been described so I will not go into detail except to say that it is all right especially on account of its novelty, but a little too long which grows tiresome. I shall endeavor to have them Cut one song and dance tonight. 19 minutes full stage, 2 shows.
Les Melasso Troupe.
This act has deteriorated greatly since they played here before. The two people of the old act that I considered the best are now not present and are replaced by two others that are not very good in my mind. The act in no way compares with Wallno & Marinetti and is not worth what we are paying them by fully $50. 8 min. full stage, 2 shows.
Drummer Quartette.
Colored singers and comedians. This act is all right but hardly as good as I had been led to expect. They do some pretty good singing but their comedy amounts to nothing. 15 min. open in three, close in one, 3 shows.
[Mary?] Edouin & Fred Edwards.
In the sketch which they have played upon the circuit before and which was unquestionably the best thing in the bill, and was thoroughly appreciated as such by the audience. 29 min. in one, 2 shows.
Nirvana.
As this act is played all over the circuit it requires no comment. With proper environment it would be a very beautiful act but with the poor scenery and trappings it falls rather short. The audience didn't seem to care a great deal for it. 14 min. full stage.
Geo. H. Wood.
Blackface monologue which went very well indeed in the most difficult place on the bill. 24 min. in one. 2 shows.
Ryan & Richfield.
In their new act, "Mike Haggerty's Daughter". I hardly consider it as strong as their last previous effort but with a few more presentations it may come up to that standard. 24 min. in three, 2 shows.
Biograph.  O. K.
John [?]. Harty. Kid juggler. Same act he has always given us which

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44 Report on Show Keith's theatre, Providence, R. I. Week of October 26, 1903. (Charles Lovenberg) The bill this week is not very satisfactory, the very early parts are quite poor. There are too many picture acts and Stereoptican and things of that kind in the show and a lack of comedy and also a very hard show to put together, in fact it is one of the impossible ones to get just right and there is too much of it. We could have spared one act easily. Sanford Sisters. Musical act. Fair. 10 min. close with about two min. in one. 3 shows. Naomi Ethardo. Equilibrist and contortionist. She is about the same as usual which to my mind is always about fair. 8 min. full stage, 3 shows. Three Kelcey Sisters. Song and dance. I consider this a very poor act. If they had not played around the circuit I should feel sure I should have closed them. 7 min. in one, three shows. Morrisey & Rich. In their old act, singing, talking, and dancing, which would have been thoroughly all right if it had gone on a little earlier, as it was it went first rate, but I think principally because the audience had seen nothing up to that time and it was worth their attention. 15 min. in one, 3 shows. Roatina & Stevens. Singing and dancing. This act has been described so I will not go into detail except to say that it is all right especially on account of its novelty, but a little too long which grows tiresome. I shall endeavor to have them Cut one song and dance tonight. 19 minutes full stage, 2 shows. Les Melasso Troupe. This act has deteriorated greatly since they played here before. The two people of the old act that I considered the best are now not present and are replaced by two others that are not very good in my mind. The act in no way compares with Wallno & Marinetti and is not worth what we are paying them by fully $50. 8 min. full stage, 2 shows. Drummer Quartette. Colored singers and comedians. This act is all right but hardly as good as I had been led to expect. They do some pretty good singing but their comedy amounts to nothing. 15 min. open in three, close in one, 3 shows. [Mary?] Edouin & Fred Edwards. In the sketch which they have played upon the circuit before and which was unquestionably the best thing in the bill, and was thoroughly appreciated as such by the audience. 29 min. in one, 2 shows. Nirvana. As this act is played all over the circuit it requires no comment. With proper environment it would be a very beautiful act but with the poor scenery and trappings it falls rather short. The audience didn't seem to care a great deal for it. 14 min. full stage. Geo. H. Wood. Blackface monologue which went very well indeed in the most difficult place on the bill. 24 min. in one. 2 shows. Ryan & Richfield. In their new act, "Mike Haggerty's Daughter". I hardly consider it as strong as their last previous effort but with a few more presentations it may come up to that standard. 24 min. in three, 2 shows. Biograph. O. K. John [?]. Harty. Kid juggler. Same act he has always given us which