DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

Page 185

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    AUG. 16-09.
HENRY & LIZEL. 8 min. Man and woman, both working eccentric. Begin with a lively song with eccentric-dancing accompaniment. Then the man does a good "Rube" dance, which gets a good hand, followed by a high-kick dance by the girl which is very good. The pair then proceed to some good ground tumbling and jumping. This gets a good hand. The act as a whole is swift in action and made good as an opener.
FRAULEIN KATCHEN LOISSET. 13 min. This is a typical German Music Hall act. The Fraulein makes a good appearance in a pretty gown and has a pleasing personality. More than that, she knows how to sing, and both her vocal selections got good applause, particularly the one in which she employs the pigeons. In the work in two, she dresses a dog up to impersonate various characters, some of them quite ludicrous. This is not a big act, nevertheless, it held the spot satisfactorily and closed with laughter and a good hand.
EXPOSITION FOUR. 18 min. One man of the quartette works blackface. The first selection is an xylophone quartette, after which three make a lightning change from band costumes to evening dress, and proceed with brass selections and others on the musical-pipes, and some songs. There is another change of costume, very effective, and the close in one includes a song and dance by all four, bringing the act up to a good finish. Can be relied on to hold a strong spot.
HOWARD & LAWRENCE. 21 min. "The Stage Manager." These people were a genuine hit. Good advance applause. Whatever they did, they did it well, whether their vocal work, dance, piano-playing or their fun. Both of them are born entertainers and kept the crowd amused throughout their very novel act. Could have prolonged it to twice the time. Closed well with a song and dance in one, which was eliminated on account of time.
JONES, GRANT & JONES. 21 min. One of the best coon acts we have ever played. Two men and two women, all of whom are good singers and dancers. Irving Jones introduces a lot of his comical stuff after his own manner and had the crowd going. The act is novel in a good many ways, including the song which is sung by one of the women in an orchestra aisle while Jones is on the stage. The close in one includes some very good dancing. Made a strong finish. The act would be improved by shortening five or six minutes which will be done.
JULIUS STEGER & CO. "The Way to the Heart." 32 min. This is a typical Steger playlet and a worthy successor to "The Fifth Commandment." It is beautifully presented, and Steger has strong support. The story resembles his former play in some respects, playing upon the affections of father and daughter and the memories of departed parents. The latter half of the play is very impressive, and finish logical. The audience gave it the most respectful attention throughout and rewarded Steger a strong closing hand. The act will undoubtedly pull strong with the evening audiences.
BEN WELCH. 17 min. As usual, made a hit with his monologue stuff which was largely new. Closed very strong with his parodies and Italian imitation.
ARTOIS BROTHERS. 14 min. This is a mighty good act and makes an acceptable closer. The men appear in clown costume, and work with triple bar, introducing considerable comedy. Some of their tricks are very novel. Laughter and applause, and a strong finish.
KINETOGRAPH. "The Enchanted Fiddlers." Quite amusing. "The Magic Rug." A series on the line of the "Rarebit Fiends" and interesting.


GENERAL REMARKS. This is an exceptional bill throughout. Leisset certainly improved her act, judging from former doubtful criticim and was a pleasant surprise in that spot. Jones, Grant and Jones' act was too long and we changed one of the songs so as to cut the act down several minutes. We have also transposed it to follow Steger so as to separate the coon act from Howard & Lawrence. The show as a whole took immensely with a big rainy day house.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. AUG. 16-09. HENRY & LIZEL. 8 min. Man and woman, both working eccentric. Begin with a lively song with eccentric-dancing accompaniment. Then the man does a good "Rube" dance, which gets a good hand, followed by a high-kick dance by the girl which is very good. The pair then proceed to some good ground tumbling and jumping. This gets a good hand. The act as a whole is swift in action and made good as an opener. FRAULEIN KATCHEN LOISSET. 13 min. This is a typical German Music Hall act. The Fraulein makes a good appearance in a pretty gown and has a pleasing personality. More than that, she knows how to sing, and both her vocal selections got good applause, particularly the one in which she employs the pigeons. In the work in two, she dresses a dog up to impersonate various characters, some of them quite ludicrous. This is not a big act, nevertheless, it held the spot satisfactorily and closed with laughter and a good hand. EXPOSITION FOUR. 18 min. One man of the quartette works blackface. The first selection is an xylophone quartette, after which three make a lightning change from band costumes to evening dress, and proceed with brass selections and others on the musical-pipes, and some songs. There is another change of costume, very effective, and the close in one includes a song and dance by all four, bringing the act up to a good finish. Can be relied on to hold a strong spot. HOWARD & LAWRENCE. 21 min. "The Stage Manager." These people were a genuine hit. Good advance applause. Whatever they did, they did it well, whether their vocal work, dance, piano-playing or their fun. Both of them are born entertainers and kept the crowd amused throughout their very novel act. Could have prolonged it to twice the time. Closed well with a song and dance in one, which was eliminated on account of time. JONES, GRANT & JONES. 21 min. One of the best coon acts we have ever played. Two men and two women, all of whom are good singers and dancers. Irving Jones introduces a lot of his comical stuff after his own manner and had the crowd going. The act is novel in a good many ways, including the song which is sung by one of the women in an orchestra aisle while Jones is on the stage. The close in one includes some very good dancing. Made a strong finish. The act would be improved by shortening five or six minutes which will be done. JULIUS STEGER & CO. "The Way to the Heart." 32 min. This is a typical Steger playlet and a worthy successor to "The Fifth Commandment." It is beautifully presented, and Steger has strong support. The story resembles his former play in some respects, playing upon the affections of father and daughter and the memories of departed parents. The latter half of the play is very impressive, and finish logical. The audience gave it the most respectful attention throughout and rewarded Steger a strong closing hand. The act will undoubtedly pull strong with the evening audiences. BEN WELCH. 17 min. As usual, made a hit with his monologue stuff which was largely new. Closed very strong with his parodies and Italian imitation. ARTOIS BROTHERS. 14 min. This is a mighty good act and makes an acceptable closer. The men appear in clown costume, and work with triple bar, introducing considerable comedy. Some of their tricks are very novel. Laughter and applause, and a strong finish. KINETOGRAPH. "The Enchanted Fiddlers." Quite amusing. "The Magic Rug." A series on the line of the "Rarebit Fiends" and interesting. GENERAL REMARKS. This is an exceptional bill throughout. Leisset certainly improved her act, judging from former doubtful criticim and was a pleasant surprise in that spot. Jones, Grant and Jones' act was too long and we changed one of the songs so as to cut the act down several minutes. We have also transposed it to follow Steger so as to separate the coon act from Howard & Lawrence. The show as a whole took immensely with a big rainy day house.