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 167

167
(M. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of Jan. 26, 1903.

Skatenelli, 12 Min. full stage--This man works on a trapeze and flying rings, but his best feats are accomplished on the latter. At about half his present salary he would be all right for the place in the bill.

Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Usual interesting series of views of home and foreign subjects.

Bijou Circus, 18 min. full stage--This act has improved considerably since it was last here, and is worthy a better place in the programme than we can give it. It proved a very satisfactory offering to those who saw it.

Keith's Orchestra, 2 overtures of 10 min. each--Played Medley Selections "Comin' Thro' the Rye", which was very effective and received a round of applause.

Biograph, 15 min. in 1--Most uninteresting series of pictures we have had for some time.

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Murphy, 20 min. full stage.--Presenting for the first time here their new sketch, "Why Doogan Swore Off", which is a much better vehicle than that which they formerly had. Neither of them are good actors, and they will not stand for a better place in the bill than 2 and 7.30 o'clock.

Elvira Frencelli and Thomas Lewis, 12 min. in 1--Pleasing singing act, both having good voices and knowing how to use them to the best advantage.

May Duryea and John L. Kearney, 23 min., full stage--First appearance of this couple in this house, and they scored a laughing hit. Their sketch, "The Imposter" is one of those indescribable nonsensical afairs that has evidently been constructed for laughing purposes, and it certainly went well here. In fact, I consider it one of the best and liveliest farces we have had for some time,and it would stand for a lower place on the bill than it can be given this week. It should win laughter with any sort of an audience.

Golden Gate Quintet, 13 min. in 1--This team of colored entertainers had been overrated. Its limit in time, so far as Boston is concerned, is 2.30 and 8.30. Made up of 1 woman and 4 men, all of whom sing better than the average and their dancing is quite lively. Several changes of costumes are made.

Four Lukens, 10 min., full stage--Owing to non arrival of apparatus I had to drop them out of the Monday show, but they are working all right today and for the balance of the week. Comments on the act is unnecessary, as it is one of the best aerial acrobatic offerings in the vafrieties.

one of the neatest, cleverest and most artistic in the business. He did not go strong with the afternoon audience, but in the evening scored a tremendous hit, especially with his "Helen Gone", song, which, in the hands of any one else, would be offensive.

Rice and Walters, 12 min. full stage--Probably the biggest hit in the evening show. The acrobatic work is decidely clever, and the man who does the clowning is absolutely the only one in the business since George Caron's time. I consider them the back bone of the show.

Motogirl, 12 min. open in 3, close in 1--Apparently just as strong as the first week of opening, probably, might remain another week at least.

Tom Lewis and Sam Ryan, 18 min. open in 2, close in 1--In extravagant burlesque comedy, one working in blackface and the other made up as a "bum" tragedien. I think Lewis one of the funniest men who blacks up, and Ryan makes a great foil for him. They went with a scream from start to finish.

Woodard's Seals, 25 min., full stage--The most important one, a large sea lion who performs equilibristic feats, was sick and would not work, and the act was practically "queered" as a result. This was the case afternoon and evening. After such a black eye the act will not be held over a second week.

Billy Link, 12 min. in 1--Blackface comedian--He could not make good in this place in the bill and only did about 4 minutes. Coming off he served a notice on us that he was going to quit, and as long as he was not going to take the balance of the show with him we reluctantly allowed him to go.

Barry Wyman and Murray Garner, 15  min. in 1--2 immature German dialect comedians who try to be original but can't. They are all right in the smaller part of the bill, but will never be Rogers Bros.

Newell and Niblo, 15 min. open full stage, close in 1--One of the neatest and most attractive of the smaller noveltu music  al acts in vaudeville, and it is a pity to have to practically waste it where I have placed it in the bill.

Comments:- The arrangement of the afternoon show proved to be rather unsatisfactory, although it would not have been so bad, if the Lukens had been in and Woodward's Sealsnot been ill. Teh afternoon audience was large but unenthusiastic, and although they were seemingly pleased with the show, they seldom made demonstrations. In the evening this condition was reversed, this show went with a rush from start to finish.

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167 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Jan. 26, 1903. Skatenelli, 12 Min. full stage--This man works on a trapeze and flying rings, but his best feats are accomplished on the latter. At about half his present salary he would be all right for the place in the bill. Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Usual interesting series of views of home and foreign subjects. Bijou Circus, 18 min. full stage--This act has improved considerably since it was last here, and is worthy a better place in the programme than we can give it. It proved a very satisfactory offering to those who saw it. Keith's Orchestra, 2 overtures of 10 min. each--Played Medley Selections "Comin' Thro' the Rye", which was very effective and received a round of applause. Biograph, 15 min. in 1--Most uninteresting series of pictures we have had for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Murphy, 20 min. full stage.--Presenting for the first time here their new sketch, "Why Doogan Swore Off", which is a much better vehicle than that which they formerly had. Neither of them are good actors, and they will not stand for a better place in the bill than 2 and 7.30 o'clock. Elvira Frencelli and Thomas Lewis, 12 min. in 1--Pleasing singing act, both having good voices and knowing how to use them to the best advantage. May Duryea and John L. Kearney, 23 min., full stage--First appearance of this couple in this house, and they scored a laughing hit. Their sketch, "The Imposter" is one of those indescribable nonsensical afairs that has evidently been constructed for laughing purposes, and it certainly went well here. In fact, I consider it one of the best and liveliest farces we have had for some time,and it would stand for a lower place on the bill than it can be given this week. It should win laughter with any sort of an audience. Golden Gate Quintet, 13 min. in 1--This team of colored entertainers had been overrated. Its limit in time, so far as Boston is concerned, is 2.30 and 8.30. Made up of 1 woman and 4 men, all of whom sing better than the average and their dancing is quite lively. Several changes of costumes are made. Four Lukens, 10 min., full stage--Owing to non arrival of apparatus I had to drop them out of the Monday show, but they are working all right today and for the balance of the week. Comments on the act is unnecessary, as it is one of the best aerial acrobatic offerings in the vafrieties. one of the neatest, cleverest and most artistic in the business. He did not go strong with the afternoon audience, but in the evening scored a tremendous hit, especially with his "Helen Gone", song, which, in the hands of any one else, would be offensive. Rice and Walters, 12 min. full stage--Probably the biggest hit in the evening show. The acrobatic work is decidely clever, and the man who does the clowning is absolutely the only one in the business since George Caron's time. I consider them the back bone of the show. Motogirl, 12 min. open in 3, close in 1--Apparently just as strong as the first week of opening, probably, might remain another week at least. Tom Lewis and Sam Ryan, 18 min. open in 2, close in 1--In extravagant burlesque comedy, one working in blackface and the other made up as a "bum" tragedien. I think Lewis one of the funniest men who blacks up, and Ryan makes a great foil for him. They went with a scream from start to finish. Woodard's Seals, 25 min., full stage--The most important one, a large sea lion who performs equilibristic feats, was sick and would not work, and the act was practically "queered" as a result. This was the case afternoon and evening. After such a black eye the act will not be held over a second week. Billy Link, 12 min. in 1--Blackface comedian--He could not make good in this place in the bill and only did about 4 minutes. Coming off he served a notice on us that he was going to quit, and as long as he was not going to take the balance of the show with him we reluctantly allowed him to go. Barry Wyman and Murray Garner, 15 min. in 1--2 immature German dialect comedians who try to be original but can't. They are all right in the smaller part of the bill, but will never be Rogers Bros. Newell and Niblo, 15 min. open full stage, close in 1--One of the neatest and most attractive of the smaller noveltu music al acts in vaudeville, and it is a pity to have to practically waste it where I have placed it in the bill. Comments:- The arrangement of the afternoon show proved to be rather unsatisfactory, although it would not have been so bad, if the Lukens had been in and Woodward's Sealsnot been ill. Teh afternoon audience was large but unenthusiastic, and although they were seemingly pleased with the show, they seldom made demonstrations. In the evening this condition was reversed, this show went with a rush from start to finish.