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 189

189
(M. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of Feb. 15, 1904
Stereopticon, 3 shows, 5 min. in 1--Usual collection of home and foreign views.
Willie and Edith Hart, 3 shows, 12 min. in 1--Clever little singing and dancing act, neatly costumed and worthy of a better place in the bill.
Milt and Maud Woods, 3 shows, 14 min., open in 3, close in 1--In acrobatic comedy and dancing specialties. It is an excellent turn for the 3-show section, and Mr. Woods' wooden shoe dancing is better than that of the much advertised John Ford, who is lower down on the bill. If anything happened to the latter, I should have no hesitation in placing Mr. Wood in his place.
Hubert DeVeau, 3 shows, 18 min. in 2 (can work in one if necessary)--Presenting his attractive novelty, "Studies in High Art", with musical accompaniment. This turn is good enough for almost any place in the bill, as the man's crayon drawings are uncommonly clever and the musical arrangement is in keeping with his subjects.
Smith and Powell, 3 shows, 16 min. in 1--"Real coon" comedians, singers and dancers. This couple are light colored darkies, the man having to black up. He is a funny chap, in voice and manner wonderfully like John Healy, and scored a hit here. The woman is not so clever.
Charles Dickson and Company, 2 shows, 27 min. full stage--Appearing in a sketch called "A Pressing Matter", which he did before. It is slow in the opening and he has been requested to cut out at least five minutes. There are many sentences in the dialogue that might be termed suggestive by those who are looking for that sort of thing, the audience laughed at them just the same. Miss Billings, who supports Mr. Dickson, it an improvement in Miss McEwan. A new sketch will be necessary to insure another engagement here.
Delmore Sisters, 2 shows, 17 min. in 1--This was the first engagement for these girls in this act, and they scored the hit of the bill up to the time of their appearance, demonstrating anew that our audiences are appreciative of vocal and instrumental music when well done. Can be marked down for return at any time.
Rousby's "In Paris", 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--First exhibition here of this electrical and scenic novelty. Mad a bigger hit than in New York, all through, the finish exceptionally strong for this sort of act. Best thing of its kind ever done here.


they always go strong and draw a certain amount of business.
Biograph, 3 shows, 20 min. in 1--Selection of pictures not so interesting or amusing as those we have been receiving for several months.
Purcell and Brooks, 3 shows, 16 min. open full stage, close in 1--In comedy and singing sketch, "The Bell Boy", which they have done here before. Perfectly satisfactory 3-show act.
Comment:- If any criticism were to be made of the show, it is that there is too much singing and dancing in it. This situation is relieved somewhat by the withdrawal of Ford and Gehrue, whose time can probably be filled without adding another act.
Dickson's sketch is altogether too long. In fact, any act depending practically altogether on dialogue, and with little action, should not exceed 20 minutes. If it does, it will queer the best bill, especially when it is placed in the 2-show section of the program.

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189 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Feb. 15, 1904 Stereopticon, 3 shows, 5 min. in 1--Usual collection of home and foreign views. Willie and Edith Hart, 3 shows, 12 min. in 1--Clever little singing and dancing act, neatly costumed and worthy of a better place in the bill. Milt and Maud Woods, 3 shows, 14 min., open in 3, close in 1--In acrobatic comedy and dancing specialties. It is an excellent turn for the 3-show section, and Mr. Woods' wooden shoe dancing is better than that of the much advertised John Ford, who is lower down on the bill. If anything happened to the latter, I should have no hesitation in placing Mr. Wood in his place. Hubert DeVeau, 3 shows, 18 min. in 2 (can work in one if necessary)--Presenting his attractive novelty, "Studies in High Art", with musical accompaniment. This turn is good enough for almost any place in the bill, as the man's crayon drawings are uncommonly clever and the musical arrangement is in keeping with his subjects. Smith and Powell, 3 shows, 16 min. in 1--"Real coon" comedians, singers and dancers. This couple are light colored darkies, the man having to black up. He is a funny chap, in voice and manner wonderfully like John Healy, and scored a hit here. The woman is not so clever. Charles Dickson and Company, 2 shows, 27 min. full stage--Appearing in a sketch called "A Pressing Matter", which he did before. It is slow in the opening and he has been requested to cut out at least five minutes. There are many sentences in the dialogue that might be termed suggestive by those who are looking for that sort of thing, the audience laughed at them just the same. Miss Billings, who supports Mr. Dickson, it an improvement in Miss McEwan. A new sketch will be necessary to insure another engagement here. Delmore Sisters, 2 shows, 17 min. in 1--This was the first engagement for these girls in this act, and they scored the hit of the bill up to the time of their appearance, demonstrating anew that our audiences are appreciative of vocal and instrumental music when well done. Can be marked down for return at any time. Rousby's "In Paris", 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--First exhibition here of this electrical and scenic novelty. Mad a bigger hit than in New York, all through, the finish exceptionally strong for this sort of act. Best thing of its kind ever done here. they always go strong and draw a certain amount of business. Biograph, 3 shows, 20 min. in 1--Selection of pictures not so interesting or amusing as those we have been receiving for several months. Purcell and Brooks, 3 shows, 16 min. open full stage, close in 1--In comedy and singing sketch, "The Bell Boy", which they have done here before. Perfectly satisfactory 3-show act. Comment:- If any criticism were to be made of the show, it is that there is too much singing and dancing in it. This situation is relieved somewhat by the withdrawal of Ford and Gehrue, whose time can probably be filled without adding another act. Dickson's sketch is altogether too long. In fact, any act depending practically altogether on dialogue, and with little action, should not exceed 20 minutes. If it does, it will queer the best bill, especially when it is placed in the 2-show section of the program.