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 315

315

(M. J. Keating)

Boston Show, Week of Aug. 31, 1903

Stereopticon, 3 shows, 5 min. in 1--Usual interesting collection of home and foreign views.

Milt Barlow and Harriet Nicholson, 3 shows, 18 min. full stage Comedy and singing sketch which just got by in the 3-show section, neither of the performers having any particular ability.

Keith's Orchestra, 7 min.--Selections from "Peggy From Paris", which were so well rendered that they received a round of applause.

Belle Viola, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1--Dancing, acrobatic and contortion. The girl is rather pretty and quite graceful, and went very well in the early part of the bill.

Prince Kokin, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--One of the cleverest Japanese jugglers who has ever visited this country. Has not appeared here for several years, and went well.

McIntyre and Primrose, 3 shows, 14 min. in 1--Blackface talking act. They went surprisingly well, creating much laughter all through act.

Avon Comedy Four, 3 shows, 24 min. open full stage, close in 1--Comedy and singing act by a quartet made up in eccentric costume. They open with a school room scene, patterned after Holcombe, Cushman and Curtis, and they are very good, indeed, from a 3-a-day standpoint.

Kelly and Reno, 2 shows, 12 min. full stage--Eccentric acrobatic comedians, utilizing the inanimate doll idea. They are just fair, as the act lacks finish. Will have to be moved up a couple of pegs here.

Bonnie Thornton, 2 shows, 12 min. in 1--This is her first appearance here in several years and she just got by. Her first two songs were in imitation of a juvenile singing, but they had been so much better rendered by Leila McIntyre during the long run of "Beauty and the Beast" in this city that they fell somewhat flat. Bonnie is a good deal of a back number so far as her voice is concerned, and will have to be given a much less important place on our bill.

Munro, Mack and Lawrence, 2 shows, 15 min. full stage--Presenting the same old sketch, "How to Get Rid of Your Mother-in-Law", which went with a scream from start to finish, making the big laughing hit of the show.

Jessica Cree, 3 shows, 8 min. in 1--A pretty girl, neatly costumed, but with only enough ability to make her conspicuous in a town concert. She gave two whistling solos and sang coon songs. We have been misled in our reports in respect to her ability.

Comment:- I think the show is an excellent one from the variety standpoint, the only conspicuous failure being made by Bonnie Thornton, who did not appeal to our audience any stronger than when she was last here. She is not worth one-half the salary she is drawing. I think Miss Cree will improve as she was dreadfully frightened at the first show this afternoon and will go better, I think, during the week. If so, will send another report, as the girl is ambitious and we need all that is new and promising we can secure now-a-days.

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315 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Aug. 31, 1903 Stereopticon, 3 shows, 5 min. in 1--Usual interesting collection of home and foreign views. Milt Barlow and Harriet Nicholson, 3 shows, 18 min. full stage Comedy and singing sketch which just got by in the 3-show section, neither of the performers having any particular ability. Keith's Orchestra, 7 min.--Selections from "Peggy From Paris", which were so well rendered that they received a round of applause. Belle Viola, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1--Dancing, acrobatic and contortion. The girl is rather pretty and quite graceful, and went very well in the early part of the bill. Prince Kokin, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--One of the cleverest Japanese jugglers who has ever visited this country. Has not appeared here for several years, and went well. McIntyre and Primrose, 3 shows, 14 min. in 1--Blackface talking act. They went surprisingly well, creating much laughter all through act. Avon Comedy Four, 3 shows, 24 min. open full stage, close in 1--Comedy and singing act by a quartet made up in eccentric costume. They open with a school room scene, patterned after Holcombe, Cushman and Curtis, and they are very good, indeed, from a 3-a-day standpoint. Kelly and Reno, 2 shows, 12 min. full stage--Eccentric acrobatic comedians, utilizing the inanimate doll idea. They are just fair, as the act lacks finish. Will have to be moved up a couple of pegs here. Bonnie Thornton, 2 shows, 12 min. in 1--This is her first appearance here in several years and she just got by. Her first two songs were in imitation of a juvenile singing, but they had been so much better rendered by Leila McIntyre during the long run of "Beauty and the Beast" in this city that they fell somewhat flat. Bonnie is a good deal of a back number so far as her voice is concerned, and will have to be given a much less important place on our bill. Munro, Mack and Lawrence, 2 shows, 15 min. full stage--Presenting the same old sketch, "How to Get Rid of Your Mother-in-Law", which went with a scream from start to finish, making the big laughing hit of the show. Jessica Cree, 3 shows, 8 min. in 1--A pretty girl, neatly costumed, but with only enough ability to make her conspicuous in a town concert. She gave two whistling solos and sang coon songs. We have been misled in our reports in respect to her ability. Comment:- I think the show is an excellent one from the variety standpoint, the only conspicuous failure being made by Bonnie Thornton, who did not appeal to our audience any stronger than when she was last here. She is not worth one-half the salary she is drawing. I think Miss Cree will improve as she was dreadfully frightened at the first show this afternoon and will go better, I think, during the week. If so, will send another report, as the girl is ambitious and we need all that is new and promising we can secure now-a-days.