DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 11, 1911-September 9, 1912

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 11, 1911-September 9, 1912

Page 40

CRITICISM.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY.     WEEK OF JANUARY 15TH, 1912.
BEN BEYER & BROTHER: "The Sprinting Messenger". One straight and the other black face. Comedy cyclists; and excellent opening act. 9 minutes, full stage.
WARD BROTHERS: Two young men who make an excellent appearance in full dress, wearing monicles and presenting an English type. Their voices are only fair but they manage to cover up any deficiencies with some clever soft shoe dancing, thereby securing a good hand. 11 minutes in one.
MR. & MRS. JIMMIE BARRY: In "The Rube". Mr. Barry portrays the yankee character, that of the "Rube" who is anxious to join a theatrical troupe. Mrs. Barry as the soubrette. The comedy is in two scenes; the "stage door" and the "stage". The skit contains plenty of bright lines and good comedy. Mr. Barry's song on "Marching through Georgia" in which he uses all the song hits for a foundation was a scream. An excellent act and I think one of the best ever presented by this couple. special drops in one and one and a half. 24 minutes.
ARTHUR DEAGON: Rather surprised at the manner in which this man was received. He is gifted with a splendid baritone voice and good songs. Tells a few jokes that get by and finishes his act using a dummy as a woman, giving a few dances which send him off strong. For an encore he goes through a few acrobatic stunts thereby living up to his billing as a "somewhat different comedian". 20 minutes in one.
T. ROY BARNES & BESSIE CRAWFORD: In "The Fakir and the Lady". Barnes is one of the best rapid fire comedians I ever saw and is ably assisted by Miss Crawford. The comedy is one continual round of laughs and they are easily the applause hit of the show up to this time. 16 minutes, full stage. With an encore in one.
MISS ADELE RITCHIE: "The Dresden China Prima Donna" assisted by Arthur Gutman at the piano. Miss Ritchie makes a grand appearance, wearing stunning gowns, and a splendid selection of songs. Her voice is good and she manages to get the songs over. While she pleases the audience, she does not make the rousing hit as ex-


10:30, they hold them and are the applause hit of the show. 18 minutes in one.
THE OLD SOLDIER FIDDLERS: Understand there is a man shy in this act, that has heretofore injected a little comedy. The "Old Soldiers" are a little late going on but they manage to hold them with their old time tunes and grand stand finish which I presume sends the house away happy. 24 minutes, full stage.

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CRITICISM. FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY. WEEK OF JANUARY 15TH, 1912. BEN BEYER & BROTHER: "The Sprinting Messenger". One straight and the other black face. Comedy cyclists; and excellent opening act. 9 minutes, full stage. WARD BROTHERS: Two young men who make an excellent appearance in full dress, wearing monicles and presenting an English type. Their voices are only fair but they manage to cover up any deficiencies with some clever soft shoe dancing, thereby securing a good hand. 11 minutes in one. MR. & MRS. JIMMIE BARRY: In "The Rube". Mr. Barry portrays the yankee character, that of the "Rube" who is anxious to join a theatrical troupe. Mrs. Barry as the soubrette. The comedy is in two scenes; the "stage door" and the "stage". The skit contains plenty of bright lines and good comedy. Mr. Barry's song on "Marching through Georgia" in which he uses all the song hits for a foundation was a scream. An excellent act and I think one of the best ever presented by this couple. special drops in one and one and a half. 24 minutes. ARTHUR DEAGON: Rather surprised at the manner in which this man was received. He is gifted with a splendid baritone voice and good songs. Tells a few jokes that get by and finishes his act using a dummy as a woman, giving a few dances which send him off strong. For an encore he goes through a few acrobatic stunts thereby living up to his billing as a "somewhat different comedian". 20 minutes in one. T. ROY BARNES & BESSIE CRAWFORD: In "The Fakir and the Lady". Barnes is one of the best rapid fire comedians I ever saw and is ably assisted by Miss Crawford. The comedy is one continual round of laughs and they are easily the applause hit of the show up to this time. 16 minutes, full stage. With an encore in one. MISS ADELE RITCHIE: "The Dresden China Prima Donna" assisted by Arthur Gutman at the piano. Miss Ritchie makes a grand appearance, wearing stunning gowns, and a splendid selection of songs. Her voice is good and she manages to get the songs over. While she pleases the audience, she does not make the rousing hit as ex- 10:30, they hold them and are the applause hit of the show. 18 minutes in one. THE OLD SOLDIER FIDDLERS: Understand there is a man shy in this act, that has heretofore injected a little comedy. The "Old Soldiers" are a little late going on but they manage to hold them with their old time tunes and grand stand finish which I presume sends the house away happy. 24 minutes, full stage.