DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, November 28, 1904 - August 28, 1905

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, November 28, 1904 - August 28, 1905

Page 144

144
Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of April 10th, 1905. (Chas. Lovenberg, Manager.)
This show is a great disappointment as I had expected from the names and the features that it was going to be one of our best. It is much better on paper than it plays on the stage. The only thing that I can depend upon in the show, for money, is "DIDA" and the musical following of "Blind Tom".
Two Ashtons. Club juggling act with a little comedy interspersed. They left one of their trunks behind so consequently didn't give their full act. As it was, from the three a day standpoint, it was fair. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows.
Joseph Belmont. Whistler, introducing also a couple of songs. Very neat little three a day act and went first rate with the audience. 10 min. in one, 3 shows.
Mignani Family. "Musical Barbers". This act is quite a little bit of a novelty. They play upon the various utensils used in a Barber Shop and get some pretty good music from them. Exceptionally good from the three a day standpoint. 15 min. open in 3, can close in one, 3 shows.
Ed Gray. Monologuist. Much better than many two a day people in his line whom we have. 15 min. in one, 3 shows.
Trovollo. Ventriloquist. first part of his act is not very strong. He gets his first novelty with his walking figures and later introducing a little boy dummy on a dog. I don't consider the act worth what we are paying it, by at least $50.00 and would not care to play it again at this price. 18 min. open full stage, close in one, 2 shows.
Blind Tom. I feel quite sure that this act will draw some money from the older generation and from the musical people, but can't see it however from any other standpoint. It is not a good vaudeville act and our blase Monday crowd were very restless during it. It is only good to play once. He did 27 min in this show, but I should cut it down to 20. Can work in two, 2 shows.
Dillon Brothers. Got quite a reception on their entrance and went first rate with the audience but by no means, strong. 16 min. in one, 2 shows.
Archie Boyd & Co. In a rural sketch. This act was a distinct disappointment. Disappointing in the sketch itself, which is a very poor one to my mind, and disappointing in Boyd's acting, which from a man with a lesser reputation would not be considered for two minutes. there are dozens of men getting forty dollars a week who could play the part much better than he did. 23 min. full stage, 2 shows.
Pat Rooney & Marion Bent. In the best act that he has ever given us. While (dancer_ Miss Bent is not as clever as some of his former partners she has a nice clean personality and is attractive and this act is far ahead of anything he has ever done before. Mighty good act. 17 min. open in 3, closes in one, 2 shows.

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144 Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of April 10th, 1905. (Chas. Lovenberg, Manager.) This show is a great disappointment as I had expected from the names and the features that it was going to be one of our best. It is much better on paper than it plays on the stage. The only thing that I can depend upon in the show, for money, is "DIDA" and the musical following of "Blind Tom". Two Ashtons. Club juggling act with a little comedy interspersed. They left one of their trunks behind so consequently didn't give their full act. As it was, from the three a day standpoint, it was fair. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows. Joseph Belmont. Whistler, introducing also a couple of songs. Very neat little three a day act and went first rate with the audience. 10 min. in one, 3 shows. Mignani Family. "Musical Barbers". This act is quite a little bit of a novelty. They play upon the various utensils used in a Barber Shop and get some pretty good music from them. Exceptionally good from the three a day standpoint. 15 min. open in 3, can close in one, 3 shows. Ed Gray. Monologuist. Much better than many two a day people in his line whom we have. 15 min. in one, 3 shows. Trovollo. Ventriloquist. first part of his act is not very strong. He gets his first novelty with his walking figures and later introducing a little boy dummy on a dog. I don't consider the act worth what we are paying it, by at least $50.00 and would not care to play it again at this price. 18 min. open full stage, close in one, 2 shows. Blind Tom. I feel quite sure that this act will draw some money from the older generation and from the musical people, but can't see it however from any other standpoint. It is not a good vaudeville act and our blase Monday crowd were very restless during it. It is only good to play once. He did 27 min in this show, but I should cut it down to 20. Can work in two, 2 shows. Dillon Brothers. Got quite a reception on their entrance and went first rate with the audience but by no means, strong. 16 min. in one, 2 shows. Archie Boyd & Co. In a rural sketch. This act was a distinct disappointment. Disappointing in the sketch itself, which is a very poor one to my mind, and disappointing in Boyd's acting, which from a man with a lesser reputation would not be considered for two minutes. there are dozens of men getting forty dollars a week who could play the part much better than he did. 23 min. full stage, 2 shows. Pat Rooney & Marion Bent. In the best act that he has ever given us. While (dancer_ Miss Bent is not as clever as some of his former partners she has a nice clean personality and is attractive and this act is far ahead of anything he has ever done before. Mighty good act. 17 min. open in 3, closes in one, 2 shows.