DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

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Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Page 134

134
(M. J. Keating)

Ward and Raymond, 3 shows, 12 min. in one--Man and woman, in comedy talk and wooden shoe dancing. Talking part of the set does not count to much, but the dancing by both is better than the average, and won them much applause. Is a fair 3 show act.
John LeClair, 3 shows, 15 min., open in 3 close in 1--Very good juggler, opening much stronger than on his last engagement. He is all right in small section show.
Romany Trio, 3 shows, 13 min., in one--Consisting of a contralto singer, girl who plays a guitar, and male cellist, all wearing gypsy costumes. Both the instrumental and vocal parts are good, and the act is a pleasing one for the 3 show sections. Earned a lot of applause.
Wenona and Frank, 3 shows, 13 min., full stage--Rifle and pistol experts, and are wonders in their line.
Tom Almond, 3 shows, 12 min. open in 1 close in 2--Singing comedian, and novelty long shoe and ice pedestal dancer. Went even stronger than last time he was here. Is a novelty among 3 show people, a decided acquisition.
Belle Hathaway's Monkeys and Babbons, 2 shows, 14 min., full stage--I think this act has gained since it was last here, and it certainly scored a hit not only with juveniles but with grown folks as well. If possible I will place it further down the bill.
Brooks Brothers, 3 shows, 13 min. in one--Talking comedians, one working in white face and the other in black. Made quite a hit, especially with their "tumbling" finish.
Vernon, 2 shows, 18 min. open in 3 close in one--Ventriloquil comedian, using the customary dummy figures, the most important of which are the coon and Irish boy. Went strong, as he always does here.
Stephen Grattan and Maude White, 2 shows, 19 min., own set in 2--Presenting the sketch "Locked out at 3 A. M.", which is quietly funny but has a laughable finish, when a milkman comes along and they discover that the door has been unlocked all the time.
Leona Thurber and "Coons", 2 shows, 16 min. in one--This act does not begin to compare with others of the same class, that have played here, and cannot be said to have made a hit. It just went fair, and 2 o'clock is its limit on our bill. The coons scored a hit act. Miss Thurber has a fine stage appearance and dresses well but can't sing.
 (M. J. Keating)
Theo Smith & Jennie St. George, 2 shows, 25 min. full stage--This is the old Smith & Fuller set, the latter partner having dropped out.  Smith is about the same as usual, but his new partner is a tremendous improvement on Miss  Fuller, for she is a brilliant harp soloist and a pleasing singer. She made a big hit, having to respond to enthusiastic encores. I consider the act improved fully one-half.
Paantzer Trio, 2 shows, 16 min., full stage--This is unquestionably the best act of its kind that has appeared on this stage for sevefal years, and it made a big hit. The two women are so graceful in their acrobatic contortion that all feeling of repugnance felt by certain people is entirely swept away. The man is an excellent eccentric contortionist.
Haines and Vidocq, 2 shows, 18 min. in 2--The laughing hit of the show. I don't think there is a funnier black face in the business than Nat Haines, who simply had the audience in convulsions this afternoon.
Abbas Ben Omar & Lalla Torquia, 2 shows, 20 min., full stage--This act evidently went on without a rehearsal, but did fairly well notwithstanding. He has added 3 people who are about as much value as a fifth wheel on a coach. There was not much applause, except for Whirling Dervish contribution, Abbas himself, and as a matter of fact, I think that he could put on the act single handed with as much effectiveness as it has at present.  wil have them rehearse tomorrow morning and get in into more condensed and better shape.
Biograph, 4 shows, 13 min. in one--The best selection of pictures we have had for months, so that it holds up with the rest of the show.
Comments,- From top to bottom the show is far-and-away the most satisfactory we have had for months. This is due to its eveness throughout, which I have contended is the most essential part of show making. There is not a really poor act in the bill.
The audience was the largest on the first day of the week for many months and extradionarily enthusiastic, so that every act loomed up to the best advantage. There were a great many children present, which had the effect of helping along certain acts like Hathaway's Monkeys and Babbons, Brooks Brothers and Vernon. We should have a big week's business.

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134 (M. J. Keating) Ward and Raymond, 3 shows, 12 min. in one--Man and woman, in comedy talk and wooden shoe dancing. Talking part of the set does not count to much, but the dancing by both is better than the average, and won them much applause. Is a fair 3 show act. John LeClair, 3 shows, 15 min., open in 3 close in 1--Very good juggler, opening much stronger than on his last engagement. He is all right in small section show. Romany Trio, 3 shows, 13 min., in one--Consisting of a contralto singer, girl who plays a guitar, and male cellist, all wearing gypsy costumes. Both the instrumental and vocal parts are good, and the act is a pleasing one for the 3 show sections. Earned a lot of applause. Wenona and Frank, 3 shows, 13 min., full stage--Rifle and pistol experts, and are wonders in their line. Tom Almond, 3 shows, 12 min. open in 1 close in 2--Singing comedian, and novelty long shoe and ice pedestal dancer. Went even stronger than last time he was here. Is a novelty among 3 show people, a decided acquisition. Belle Hathaway's Monkeys and Babbons, 2 shows, 14 min., full stage--I think this act has gained since it was last here, and it certainly scored a hit not only with juveniles but with grown folks as well. If possible I will place it further down the bill. Brooks Brothers, 3 shows, 13 min. in one--Talking comedians, one working in white face and the other in black. Made quite a hit, especially with their "tumbling" finish. Vernon, 2 shows, 18 min. open in 3 close in one--Ventriloquil comedian, using the customary dummy figures, the most important of which are the coon and Irish boy. Went strong, as he always does here. Stephen Grattan and Maude White, 2 shows, 19 min., own set in 2--Presenting the sketch "Locked out at 3 A. M.", which is quietly funny but has a laughable finish, when a milkman comes along and they discover that the door has been unlocked all the time. Leona Thurber and "Coons", 2 shows, 16 min. in one--This act does not begin to compare with others of the same class, that have played here, and cannot be said to have made a hit. It just went fair, and 2 o'clock is its limit on our bill. The coons scored a hit act. Miss Thurber has a fine stage appearance and dresses well but can't sing. (M. J. Keating) Theo Smith & Jennie St. George, 2 shows, 25 min. full stage--This is the old Smith & Fuller set, the latter partner having dropped out. Smith is about the same as usual, but his new partner is a tremendous improvement on Miss Fuller, for she is a brilliant harp soloist and a pleasing singer. She made a big hit, having to respond to enthusiastic encores. I consider the act improved fully one-half. Paantzer Trio, 2 shows, 16 min., full stage--This is unquestionably the best act of its kind that has appeared on this stage for sevefal years, and it made a big hit. The two women are so graceful in their acrobatic contortion that all feeling of repugnance felt by certain people is entirely swept away. The man is an excellent eccentric contortionist. Haines and Vidocq, 2 shows, 18 min. in 2--The laughing hit of the show. I don't think there is a funnier black face in the business than Nat Haines, who simply had the audience in convulsions this afternoon. Abbas Ben Omar & Lalla Torquia, 2 shows, 20 min., full stage--This act evidently went on without a rehearsal, but did fairly well notwithstanding. He has added 3 people who are about as much value as a fifth wheel on a coach. There was not much applause, except for Whirling Dervish contribution, Abbas himself, and as a matter of fact, I think that he could put on the act single handed with as much effectiveness as it has at present. wil have them rehearse tomorrow morning and get in into more condensed and better shape. Biograph, 4 shows, 13 min. in one--The best selection of pictures we have had for months, so that it holds up with the rest of the show. Comments,- From top to bottom the show is far-and-away the most satisfactory we have had for months. This is due to its eveness throughout, which I have contended is the most essential part of show making. There is not a really poor act in the bill. The audience was the largest on the first day of the week for many months and extradionarily enthusiastic, so that every act loomed up to the best advantage. There were a great many children present, which had the effect of helping along certain acts like Hathaway's Monkeys and Babbons, Brooks Brothers and Vernon. We should have a big week's business.