DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, November 28, 1904 - August 28, 1905

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, November 28, 1904 - August 28, 1905

Page 27

Cooper and Robinson, 2 shows, 15 min. in 1 -- Two of the best "real coon" entertainers in vaudeville. Scored the joint laughing and applause hit of the show.
Bedini and Arthur's Comedians, 2 shows, 25 min. full stage -- Presenting for the first time here the pantomimic comedy, "High Jinks", which is given in three scenes, the first the interior of a French cafe, the second the corridor of a prison and the third a stone quarry, which in themselves are unique in the varieties. It scored a fair laughing hit but requires considerable coaching in various ways and perhaps a change or two in the performers, but at the end of a fortnight, when it is scheduled to go "on the road", it should be one of the best things of the kind that has ever been offered in vaudeville for the money.
Wilbur Hill and Villette Whitaker, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1- This team is well known to managers on the circuit. This is the first time they have played here in two years and in the interrim they have been abroad and the lady is now playing the harp and cutting out some of her lively coon songs, which were always the hit of the act. They went fairly well, but not big, the changes possibly appealing to the artistic among the audience but not being pleasing to the vast majority.
Valveno Brothers, 3 shows, 9 min. full stage -- In a clever exhibition fo hand-to-hand balancing and equilibrism. Received a lot of applause, the turn being one of the sort that is possibly appreciated here more than elsewhere.
Jennie Yeamans, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1 -- As last time here, she scored one of the solid laughing hits of the bill, her gagging with the orchestra exciting loud laughter. She has "toned down" in appearance, and there is no question but that she gives a good act for the money.
Bert Howard and Leona Bland, 2 shows, 23 min. full stage- In a New act, patterned after that of Moore and Littlefield, but not so good as the latter by any means, entitled, "The Stage Manager". Howard as an actor is a positive "shine", as he has a fat part but does not know how to get the most out of it. He wins out on his piano playing, as usual. Miss Bland does better work than probably anybody gave her credit for being capable of. Act is a good one but by no means great, and only went in spots with the audience.
Mlle. Arminta and James Burke, 3 shows, 10 min. full stage -- This is a first class "sight" act and should be booked to go the circuit whenever possible. The woman works straight and the man in evening dress, as an Irishman. They are both clever acrobats, and use a combination of trapeze, and horizontal ladder, on which the woman walks head down, and bounding table and horizontal bars. The rigging is bright and handsome.. It is one of the sort of acts that can make good in any part of the bill. Went splendidly here today.
Juan Caicedo, 2 shows 9 min. full stage -- Greatest of all the slack wire performers. A big applause hit. Too well known to need description.
The show is simply a corking one for a holiday week and there is no possible doubt that we shall do a record breaking business.

Saving...

Cooper and Robinson, 2 shows, 15 min. in 1 -- Two of the best "real coon" entertainers in vaudeville. Scored the joint laughing and applause hit of the show. Bedini and Arthur's Comedians, 2 shows, 25 min. full stage -- Presenting for the first time here the pantomimic comedy, "High Jinks", which is given in three scenes, the first the interior of a French cafe, the second the corridor of a prison and the third a stone quarry, which in themselves are unique in the varieties. It scored a fair laughing hit but requires considerable coaching in various ways and perhaps a change or two in the performers, but at the end of a fortnight, when it is scheduled to go "on the road", it should be one of the best things of the kind that has ever been offered in vaudeville for the money. Wilbur Hill and Villette Whitaker, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1- This team is well known to managers on the circuit. This is the first time they have played here in two years and in the interrim they have been abroad and the lady is now playing the harp and cutting out some of her lively coon songs, which were always the hit of the act. They went fairly well, but not big, the changes possibly appealing to the artistic among the audience but not being pleasing to the vast majority. Valveno Brothers, 3 shows, 9 min. full stage -- In a clever exhibition fo hand-to-hand balancing and equilibrism. Received a lot of applause, the turn being one of the sort that is possibly appreciated here more than elsewhere. Jennie Yeamans, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1 -- As last time here, she scored one of the solid laughing hits of the bill, her gagging with the orchestra exciting loud laughter. She has "toned down" in appearance, and there is no question but that she gives a good act for the money. Bert Howard and Leona Bland, 2 shows, 23 min. full stage- In a New act, patterned after that of Moore and Littlefield, but not so good as the latter by any means, entitled, "The Stage Manager". Howard as an actor is a positive "shine", as he has a fat part but does not know how to get the most out of it. He wins out on his piano playing, as usual. Miss Bland does better work than probably anybody gave her credit for being capable of. Act is a good one but by no means great, and only went in spots with the audience. Mlle. Arminta and James Burke, 3 shows, 10 min. full stage -- This is a first class "sight" act and should be booked to go the circuit whenever possible. The woman works straight and the man in evening dress, as an Irishman. They are both clever acrobats, and use a combination of trapeze, and horizontal ladder, on which the woman walks head down, and bounding table and horizontal bars. The rigging is bright and handsome.. It is one of the sort of acts that can make good in any part of the bill. Went splendidly here today. Juan Caicedo, 2 shows 9 min. full stage -- Greatest of all the slack wire performers. A big applause hit. Too well known to need description. The show is simply a corking one for a holiday week and there is no possible doubt that we shall do a record breaking business.