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 169

169
(M. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of Feb. 1, 1904
Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1--Customary collection of home and foreign views.
Bessie Clifford and Elsie Harvey, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1--First time here of these girls, who dance well but cannot sing. They costume neatly and pull through in the 3-show section.
Orm Mitchell, 3 shows, 15 min. in 3--First time here for this man. He is old timey in his methods and his figures do not count for much, but his straight ventriloquism is good, and he made a hit of that.
Margaret Webb, 3 shows, 11 min. in 1--Another first appearance here. Pretty girl, modest appearing, and neatly costumed; in addition to which she has a good voice and her selections are made with judgment. Went well and will stand for a better place, if it is necessary to move her down.
Fred Ray and Juliet Wood, 3 shows, 17 min. open in 4, close in 1--These people have a lot of new material, and the man is an exceptionally clever burlesquer. This is another act that can easily go further down the bill, as both entertainers are better than many appearing in the 2-show section of the average show.
Ballerini's Dogs, 2 shows, 11 min. open in 4, close in 1--Cannot stand comparison with half a dozen or more canine acts in vaudeville, but is not bad, at that.
The World's Trio (Perry Ryan, Emma Wood and Lulu Ryan) 2 shows, open and close in 1-- Has been reviewed by Managers of other houses, therefore very little comment is required from me. Did not find anything objectionable in the opening by the two girls, in which they impersonate East side types, but did cut out of Perry Ryan's monologue his suggestion of sending all mothers-in-law to Hell and that there were no women in Paradise, both of which are coarse and not funny. The act did not go strong and should be in the 3-show section at $50 per week less than they are now receiving. Costumes do not compensate for lack of voice or good looks.
Clara Ballerini, 2 shows, 11 min. full stage--One of the most attractive small "sight" acts in the varieties, and has been reviewed everywhere with approbation. Finished strong.
Armagh O'Donahey, 2 shows, 11 min. in 1--Sang three songs, in coarse voice, with practically no applause. He was costumed a la Scanlon, but I do not think, at his best, has any voice, although he has immense Celtic enthusiasm. Canceled after the first show.



vocalism, and the Day act is just a trifle too talky. I think he could cut out five minutes of the dialogue to advantage.
I will put Otto Brothers, German dialect comedians, singers and dancers, in the show tonight to fill the time left vacant by the withdrawal of O'Donahey. They are of good repute hereabouts and I look for them to make good in the place in the bill.

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169 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Feb. 1, 1904 Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1--Customary collection of home and foreign views. Bessie Clifford and Elsie Harvey, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1--First time here of these girls, who dance well but cannot sing. They costume neatly and pull through in the 3-show section. Orm Mitchell, 3 shows, 15 min. in 3--First time here for this man. He is old timey in his methods and his figures do not count for much, but his straight ventriloquism is good, and he made a hit of that. Margaret Webb, 3 shows, 11 min. in 1--Another first appearance here. Pretty girl, modest appearing, and neatly costumed; in addition to which she has a good voice and her selections are made with judgment. Went well and will stand for a better place, if it is necessary to move her down. Fred Ray and Juliet Wood, 3 shows, 17 min. open in 4, close in 1--These people have a lot of new material, and the man is an exceptionally clever burlesquer. This is another act that can easily go further down the bill, as both entertainers are better than many appearing in the 2-show section of the average show. Ballerini's Dogs, 2 shows, 11 min. open in 4, close in 1--Cannot stand comparison with half a dozen or more canine acts in vaudeville, but is not bad, at that. The World's Trio (Perry Ryan, Emma Wood and Lulu Ryan) 2 shows, open and close in 1-- Has been reviewed by Managers of other houses, therefore very little comment is required from me. Did not find anything objectionable in the opening by the two girls, in which they impersonate East side types, but did cut out of Perry Ryan's monologue his suggestion of sending all mothers-in-law to Hell and that there were no women in Paradise, both of which are coarse and not funny. The act did not go strong and should be in the 3-show section at $50 per week less than they are now receiving. Costumes do not compensate for lack of voice or good looks. Clara Ballerini, 2 shows, 11 min. full stage--One of the most attractive small "sight" acts in the varieties, and has been reviewed everywhere with approbation. Finished strong. Armagh O'Donahey, 2 shows, 11 min. in 1--Sang three songs, in coarse voice, with practically no applause. He was costumed a la Scanlon, but I do not think, at his best, has any voice, although he has immense Celtic enthusiasm. Canceled after the first show. vocalism, and the Day act is just a trifle too talky. I think he could cut out five minutes of the dialogue to advantage. I will put Otto Brothers, German dialect comedians, singers and dancers, in the show tonight to fill the time left vacant by the withdrawal of O'Donahey. They are of good repute hereabouts and I look for them to make good in the place in the bill.