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Keith-Albee managers' report book, February 4-September 9, 1907

Page 200

(Carl D. Lothrop)
Boston Show, Week of August 12, 1907.
(Monday August 12--Afternoon Show.)
The Fadettes. On at 1.45, 55 min, full stage. An excellent program this week, containing several novelties, with a "Give-us-your-kind-applause" number for the finish that is a sure winner. It seems too bad that The Fadettes cannot go over the circuit forty strong, for I feel they would be worth every cent of the added expense several times over. I repeat what I said the first week of their engagement: "This is the best orchestra that Mrs. Nichols has ever conducted".
The Dickson Sisters. On at 2.40, 11 min, in 1; 3 show. I regret that I used this act here, for it was a fall-down. One of the girls has a good soprano voice and sings very well, but when the contralto tries to harmonize with her there is war. Some of the chords they hit this afternoon could not be scored. They will do two shows, between 5 and 7, for the remainder of the week.
Rae & Benedetto. On at 2.51, 11 min, in 1. While these boys would prefer working in 2 or 3, their act can be used in 1 to good advantage, for it makes a pleasing novelty between two full stage acts, and it only takes about a minute to set and clear. Proved eminently satisfactory in this place.
Henry D. Gardner. On at 3.02, 16 min, in 1. This young man changed nearly all his stuff this week and went very well this afternoon. I consider him a very promising monologue entertainer. He is ambitious and is eager to get new stuff. As I said last week, he has a pleasing personality, a good voice and delivers his material surprisingly well for a man whose previous experience has been in amateur theatricals and drawing-rooms.
Alfred Kelcy & Co. On at 3.18, 20 min, full stage. Presenting "A Tale of a Turkey", a corking good two-character comedy sketch. It is full of bright lines and situations, is well played and scored heavily with an extremely hot weather audience. I would like to play the sketch again this season, before our regulars.
Verdi Quartette. On at 3.38, 18 min, in 1. Excellent operatic vocalists, three men and one woman. Although not quite as strong as the Basque Quartette at present, I think they will improve. All right for the figure we are paying them.
The Kratons. On at 3.54, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. The last time I believe, they are to do 3. I consider this the best hoop act in the business today, some of their tricks being simply wonderful. I am very glad they are booked here next season with their new act.
Ben Welch. On at 4.04, 18 min, in 1. Would that there were more acts in 1 like him. There are few monologue entertainers in his class.


magician, his card work being particularly good. Above the average of acts of this kind.
John Neff. On at 5.21, 12 min, full stage; 3 shows. Can open in 1, closing full stage, if necessary. Sooner or later this man is going to make his mark. He delivers a comic song pretty well and is a great eccentric dancer. It seems to me that what he needs is a good partner or a place in some big act. When he gets in right, he will be a big hit, for his "Brain-storm Dance" is a clever bit of work.
Stereopticon. On at 5.33, 12 min. Showing views of Cairo, Egypt.
Comment. A very good show for this time of year, with almost every act in the 2-show section a pronounced hit, and three in the 3-show department that are much above the average. No cuts, but a few suggestions to the Dickson Sisters.

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(Carl D. Lothrop) Boston Show, Week of August 12, 1907. (Monday August 12--Afternoon Show.) The Fadettes. On at 1.45, 55 min, full stage. An excellent program this week, containing several novelties, with a "Give-us-your-kind-applause" number for the finish that is a sure winner. It seems too bad that The Fadettes cannot go over the circuit forty strong, for I feel they would be worth every cent of the added expense several times over. I repeat what I said the first week of their engagement: "This is the best orchestra that Mrs. Nichols has ever conducted". The Dickson Sisters. On at 2.40, 11 min, in 1; 3 show. I regret that I used this act here, for it was a fall-down. One of the girls has a good soprano voice and sings very well, but when the contralto tries to harmonize with her there is war. Some of the chords they hit this afternoon could not be scored. They will do two shows, between 5 and 7, for the remainder of the week. Rae & Benedetto. On at 2.51, 11 min, in 1. While these boys would prefer working in 2 or 3, their act can be used in 1 to good advantage, for it makes a pleasing novelty between two full stage acts, and it only takes about a minute to set and clear. Proved eminently satisfactory in this place. Henry D. Gardner. On at 3.02, 16 min, in 1. This young man changed nearly all his stuff this week and went very well this afternoon. I consider him a very promising monologue entertainer. He is ambitious and is eager to get new stuff. As I said last week, he has a pleasing personality, a good voice and delivers his material surprisingly well for a man whose previous experience has been in amateur theatricals and drawing-rooms. Alfred Kelcy & Co. On at 3.18, 20 min, full stage. Presenting "A Tale of a Turkey", a corking good two-character comedy sketch. It is full of bright lines and situations, is well played and scored heavily with an extremely hot weather audience. I would like to play the sketch again this season, before our regulars. Verdi Quartette. On at 3.38, 18 min, in 1. Excellent operatic vocalists, three men and one woman. Although not quite as strong as the Basque Quartette at present, I think they will improve. All right for the figure we are paying them. The Kratons. On at 3.54, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. The last time I believe, they are to do 3. I consider this the best hoop act in the business today, some of their tricks being simply wonderful. I am very glad they are booked here next season with their new act. Ben Welch. On at 4.04, 18 min, in 1. Would that there were more acts in 1 like him. There are few monologue entertainers in his class. magician, his card work being particularly good. Above the average of acts of this kind. John Neff. On at 5.21, 12 min, full stage; 3 shows. Can open in 1, closing full stage, if necessary. Sooner or later this man is going to make his mark. He delivers a comic song pretty well and is a great eccentric dancer. It seems to me that what he needs is a good partner or a place in some big act. When he gets in right, he will be a big hit, for his "Brain-storm Dance" is a clever bit of work. Stereopticon. On at 5.33, 12 min. Showing views of Cairo, Egypt. Comment. A very good show for this time of year, with almost every act in the 2-show section a pronounced hit, and three in the 3-show department that are much above the average. No cuts, but a few suggestions to the Dickson Sisters.