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 189a

189
Paul Barnes, 2 shows, 16 min. in 1--Monologue and singing comedian. Went very well, the most of his material being new and laugh-provoking. Will go better with the evening audience in this house.
John Ford and Mayme Gehrue, 2 shows, 25 min. open full stage, close in 1--First time here for this couple in an alleged comedy, singing and dancing act, without title, so far as we know. This is probably the first opportunity that they have had of speaking lines or acting, and they fall so far short that they felt it themselves, and Ford, stating that he had a cold, desired to cancel, which he was allowed to do without regret. The dancing is all right, but the balance of the act was not good enough for a place in the 3-show section. They may do on Broadway, but they won't go in Boston.
Flood brothers, 2 shows, 11 min. open in 3, close in 1--Acrobats and tumblers, one working straight and the other as a clown. Think the latter is the nearest approach to the deceased Caron of any man in the business. The act was the laughing hit of the show.
The Quartet Basque, 2 shows, 17 min. in 1-- One of the best singing organizations ever heard here. The men are better singers than those in the Grand Opera Trio, but the woman has not the voice of Mlle. Decca. This was particularly noticeable in the prison scene from "Faust" which gave an opportunity for contrast. In their quartet work they were great.
St. Onge brothers, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--Comedy and trick bicycle riders, the act is too well known to need description. Because of the fact that they are natives of this city, 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 Paul Barnes, 2 shows, 16 min. in 1--Monologue and singing comedian. Went very well, the most of his material being new and laugh-provoking. Will go better with the evening audience in this house. John Ford and Mayme Gehrue, 2 shows, 25 min. open full stage, close in 1--First time here for this couple in an alleged comedy, singing and dancing act, without title, so far as we know. This is probably the first opportunity that they have had of speaking lines or acting, and they fall so far short that they felt it themselves, and Ford, stating that he had a cold, desired to cancel, which he was allowed to do without regret. The dancing is all right, but the balance of the act was not good enough for a place in the 3-show section. They may do on Broadway, but they won't go in Boston. Flood brothers, 2 shows, 11 min. open in 3, close in 1--Acrobats and tumblers, one working straight and the other as a clown. Think the latter is the nearest approach to the deceased Caron of any man in the business. The act was the laughing hit of the show. The Quartet Basque, 2 shows, 17 min. in 1-- One of the best singing organizations ever heard here. The men are better singers than those in the Grand Opera Trio, but the woman has not the voice of Mlle. Decca. This was particularly noticeable in the prison scene from "Faust" which gave an opportunity for contrast. In their quartet work they were great. St. Onge brothers, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--Comedy and trick bicycle riders, the act is too well known to need description. Because of the fact that they are natives of this city, 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.