DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, February 4-September 9, 1907

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

Page 209a

(Carl D. Lothrop)
Boston Show, Week of August 19, 1907.
(Monday August 19--Afternoon Show.)
The Fadettes. On at 1.45, 60 min, full stage. Fourth week of their engagement. Have rather a pleasing program this week, including a 'cello solo by Miss Skolnik, a recent addition to the orchestra, who is a mistress of her instrument, In fact, I cannot remember a female 'cellist who is her equal. I fell compelled to repeat what I said last week: "It seems a pity that this organization can't go over the Circuit forty strong, for I think it would be well worth the extra money to any house playing them, particularly those who are to have opposition".
Ben Johnson. On at 2.45, 14 min, in 1. He has been the leading heavy man of the Castle Square Stock company for the past two or three seasons. He made a little dip into vaudeville some three or four years ago, playing a week or two in the West and a week at the Union Sq. He is a fine looking fellow and is thoroughly at ease on the stage. Has a good voice and enunciates very clearly. He opens with a Dutch paraphrase on Barbara Freitchie, follows it with an imitation of Sothern reciting a speech from Hamlet, follows this with an imitation of Joseph Jefferson in a scene from Rip Van Winkle, and closes with a sort of burlesque imitation of Richard Mansfield conducting a rehearsal. All of his material is thoroughly high-class, perhaps a little too much so for universal success, but I certainly think that this man should be encouraged in his desire to become a regular vaudevillian, for we have few monologue entertainers with his ability, natural intelligence and ambition to make a success.
Makarenkos Duo. On at 2.59, 16 min, full stage. Russian Gipsy singers and dancers. The man is a fine-looking chap, while the woman is petite and pretty, rather saucy in type. Their costumes are gorgeous. They sing very well, the man's rendering of "Love Me and the World is Mine" in his broken English winning much favor. They close with a very unique dance. They did not go as strongly as I hoped this afternoon, but possibly because the woman was ill and fainted about an hour before going on. I think they will be more successful tonight.
Elinore Sisters. On at 3.15, 19 min, in 1. A hit, as usual. They are doing almost an entire new act, practically all of their talk being fresh this season. When they get the rough edges off and get to working smoothly, they will make as good as they ever did. Of course Kate's personality is the answer to it all, however.

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(Carl D. Lothrop) Boston Show, Week of August 19, 1907. (Monday August 19--Afternoon Show.) The Fadettes. On at 1.45, 60 min, full stage. Fourth week of their engagement. Have rather a pleasing program this week, including a 'cello solo by Miss Skolnik, a recent addition to the orchestra, who is a mistress of her instrument, In fact, I cannot remember a female 'cellist who is her equal. I fell compelled to repeat what I said last week: "It seems a pity that this organization can't go over the Circuit forty strong, for I think it would be well worth the extra money to any house playing them, particularly those who are to have opposition". Ben Johnson. On at 2.45, 14 min, in 1. He has been the leading heavy man of the Castle Square Stock company for the past two or three seasons. He made a little dip into vaudeville some three or four years ago, playing a week or two in the West and a week at the Union Sq. He is a fine looking fellow and is thoroughly at ease on the stage. Has a good voice and enunciates very clearly. He opens with a Dutch paraphrase on Barbara Freitchie, follows it with an imitation of Sothern reciting a speech from Hamlet, follows this with an imitation of Joseph Jefferson in a scene from Rip Van Winkle, and closes with a sort of burlesque imitation of Richard Mansfield conducting a rehearsal. All of his material is thoroughly high-class, perhaps a little too much so for universal success, but I certainly think that this man should be encouraged in his desire to become a regular vaudevillian, for we have few monologue entertainers with his ability, natural intelligence and ambition to make a success. Makarenkos Duo. On at 2.59, 16 min, full stage. Russian Gipsy singers and dancers. The man is a fine-looking chap, while the woman is petite and pretty, rather saucy in type. Their costumes are gorgeous. They sing very well, the man's rendering of "Love Me and the World is Mine" in his broken English winning much favor. They close with a very unique dance. They did not go as strongly as I hoped this afternoon, but possibly because the woman was ill and fainted about an hour before going on. I think they will be more successful tonight. Elinore Sisters. On at 3.15, 19 min, in 1. A hit, as usual. They are doing almost an entire new act, practically all of their talk being fresh this season. When they get the rough edges off and get to working smoothly, they will make as good as they ever did. Of course Kate's personality is the answer to it all, however.