DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 4, 1905 - April 23, 1906

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 4, 1905 - April 23, 1906

Page 149

Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of January 8, 1906. (Charles Lovenberg, Manager.)

I am not very well satisfied with the bill this week. While there is not anything particularly bad in the individual acts neither is there any real strength and following last week's excellent programme, it is liable to cause dissatisfaction.

Musical Houlin.  Comedy musician. Neither the comedy nor the music amounts to anything and the best that can be said for the act is that it can "get by" to open the show in a continuous house. 12 in. open in 3, close in one, 3 shows.

The Ahearns.  Bicycle act. The act should really be billed "Charles Ahearn" for the woman does practically nothing in it. The man's work is quite clever and was well appreciated. Good 3 a day act. 12 min. full stage, 3 shows.

The Cardownie Sisters.  International dancers. This act is not as good as I was led to believe and I moved them up to this position from a little more important spot. Fair 3 a day act. 10 min. open in 2, close in one.

Zinell & Boutelle. This act also is somewhat disappointing. In the early 3 a day section, it is all right, but it gets too much money. Comedy is woefully weak, singing acceptable. 15 min. open in 3, close in 1, 3 shows.

Harry Brown.  Singing cartoonist. This is a colored man who sings while drawing pictures. Something of a novelty and quite pleasing. Well liked by the audience. 12 min. in 1, 3 shows.

Burton & Brooks.  While these people are not doing quite as well as they did last year, the act goes much better here than it did in Boston, according to Boston reports. The trouble with the act is, that it is too long and I am in the same position that Boston was in last week, "I need the time,"--consequently have to let it go. 26 min. open in 3, close in 1, 3 shows.

Pickanini Troupe.  Well known acrobatic act which went exceedingly well this afternoon. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows.

Tyce & Jermon.  Two young women who do a singing and talking act which was described by New York last week. They went quite well here this afternoon although the place was a little stiff for them. I moved them up to this point to-night. 18 min. in 1, 3shows.

Alice Pierce.  Impersonator. This girl made a decided hit this afternoon, with her impersonations of Zaza and Digby Bell. I had her introduce the Zaza impersonation, preferring it to Mrs. Campbell who is not known here. I arranged with her Mother today for her to do the Mrs. Brown Potter as per arrangement with Mr. Keith but when she went on at the show she did "Evie Green" and "Ellen Tarry" neither of whom the audience know anything about. She is a very arbitrary woman and hard to handle. As to the worth of the act, I would say about $175. 14 min. open in 3, close with about 3 min. in 1, 2 shows.

Alice Pierce  This girl made a most unqualified hit, securing recall after recall. I never saw greater enthusiasm displayed over an act before in this house. I want to say that her stock has gone up in my estimation fully thirty per cent since her first performance. I predict for her, especially in Boston, the biggest kind of a hit. Would suggest that in Boston she be boomed strongly as she must have some following in that city due to her former connection with the Boston Museum Company with whom she scored a big hit several years ago as "Little Lord Fauntleroy".

Taylor Holmes  Could hardly hold his stiff place in the bill. Is all right but should not be depended upon for any later than 9 o'clock.

The Sunny South  Closed the bill. I am in a sense sacrificing this for the benefit of the whole bill. It really belongs earlier, as the opening is quiet and not very satisfactory. The act in its entirety makes good for those who will wait to see the finish.

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Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of January 8, 1906. (Charles Lovenberg, Manager.) I am not very well satisfied with the bill this week. While there is not anything particularly bad in the individual acts neither is there any real strength and following last week's excellent programme, it is liable to cause dissatisfaction. Musical Houlin. Comedy musician. Neither the comedy nor the music amounts to anything and the best that can be said for the act is that it can "get by" to open the show in a continuous house. 12 in. open in 3, close in one, 3 shows. The Ahearns. Bicycle act. The act should really be billed "Charles Ahearn" for the woman does practically nothing in it. The man's work is quite clever and was well appreciated. Good 3 a day act. 12 min. full stage, 3 shows. The Cardownie Sisters. International dancers. This act is not as good as I was led to believe and I moved them up to this position from a little more important spot. Fair 3 a day act. 10 min. open in 2, close in one. Zinell & Boutelle. This act also is somewhat disappointing. In the early 3 a day section, it is all right, but it gets too much money. Comedy is woefully weak, singing acceptable. 15 min. open in 3, close in 1, 3 shows. Harry Brown. Singing cartoonist. This is a colored man who sings while drawing pictures. Something of a novelty and quite pleasing. Well liked by the audience. 12 min. in 1, 3 shows. Burton & Brooks. While these people are not doing quite as well as they did last year, the act goes much better here than it did in Boston, according to Boston reports. The trouble with the act is, that it is too long and I am in the same position that Boston was in last week, "I need the time,"--consequently have to let it go. 26 min. open in 3, close in 1, 3 shows. Pickanini Troupe. Well known acrobatic act which went exceedingly well this afternoon. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows. Tyce & Jermon. Two young women who do a singing and talking act which was described by New York last week. They went quite well here this afternoon although the place was a little stiff for them. I moved them up to this point to-night. 18 min. in 1, 3shows. Alice Pierce. Impersonator. This girl made a decided hit this afternoon, with her impersonations of Zaza and Digby Bell. I had her introduce the Zaza impersonation, preferring it to Mrs. Campbell who is not known here. I arranged with her Mother today for her to do the Mrs. Brown Potter as per arrangement with Mr. Keith but when she went on at the show she did "Evie Green" and "Ellen Tarry" neither of whom the audience know anything about. She is a very arbitrary woman and hard to handle. As to the worth of the act, I would say about $175. 14 min. open in 3, close with about 3 min. in 1, 2 shows. Alice Pierce This girl made a most unqualified hit, securing recall after recall. I never saw greater enthusiasm displayed over an act before in this house. I want to say that her stock has gone up in my estimation fully thirty per cent since her first performance. I predict for her, especially in Boston, the biggest kind of a hit. Would suggest that in Boston she be boomed strongly as she must have some following in that city due to her former connection with the Boston Museum Company with whom she scored a big hit several years ago as "Little Lord Fauntleroy". Taylor Holmes Could hardly hold his stiff place in the bill. Is all right but should not be depended upon for any later than 9 o'clock. The Sunny South Closed the bill. I am in a sense sacrificing this for the benefit of the whole bill. It really belongs earlier, as the opening is quiet and not very satisfactory. The act in its entirety makes good for those who will wait to see the finish.