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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

Page 14

(F. J. O'Connor-)
Boston Show, Week of May 14, 1906.
Overture, 2 shows, 10 min.--Selections from "Mlle. Modiste"
Willie and Edith Hart, 3 shows, 12 min. in 1--Nice appearing and neatly costumed couple, in singing and dancing specialties. They are too well-known on the circuit to need criticism from me. They started off our show in great shape this afternoon, and could easily go further down on the bill.
Mlle. Mabel, 3 shows, 18 min. open full stage, close in 1--Exhibiting monkeys, dogs and a lemur, the latter she is showing as a very rare species of animal. The animals are neither well trained nor do they do anything out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, the young woman has a pleasing personality, and will take with the women and children. Just a fair act for the 3-a-day section.
Brockman, Mack and Belmont, 3 shows, 20 min. full stage--In the comedy skit, "The Count on Mother's Account", which is only a name of a number of specialties including the comedy of Mack and piano playiny and vocalism by Brockman, the latter scoring quite a hit. Act closed to good applause.
Louise Montrose and Four Auto Girls, 2 shows, 13 min. open in 1, close full stage--There are four girls besides Miss Montrose in this act, opening in 1 with their "Auto" song. The merit of the act lies in the clever dancing and imitations of Miss Montrose. The girls are little more than ornaments, not much at that, either, This is about the proper spot here.
Willa Holt Wakefield, 2 shows, 12 min. in 1--Presenting her song readings. We were absolutely forced to work Miss Wakefield in 1 here, and although I cannot see wherein it hurts the act the least bit, Miss Wakefield was strenuous in her objections to being worked close to the lights. I wish to make special note on two facts in connection with this act, the first of which I have already spoken, and the other is that Melville Ellis is using one of the songs which Miss Wakefield avers he cribbed from her. This woman today was in a very nervous and complaining mood, and I do not think worked to the best advantage. Still, the act went very well indeed this afternoon, she being forced to come before the curtain to bow her acknowledgments repeatedly. Excellent act for this house. Camille Trio, 2 shows, 7 min. full stage--Comedy bar performers. The best act of the kind we have had in this house in years, going with screams of laughter throughout and tremendous applause at the close. This act should be booked fo a return right away so as to be sur we get it.
Basque Quartet, 2 shows, 10 min. in 1--Three men and a woman in operatic selections. While they started off rather slow, they got them in great shape on their last selection, and they closed to big applause.
[Text is missing here where the current leaf covers it]
I don't know where the comedy comes in, as she is simply a "straight" singer, and only fair one at that. Passes as a filler here.
Gaylor and Graff, 3 shows, 13 min. in 3--Man and woman, man in eccentric makeup and the woman working straight, in comedy skit with vocal specialties. At the very best, these people can only be fillers, and not much at that.
Comment:- The show is an excellent one to judge by the enthusiasm and pleased countenances of the audience as they passed out, and evidently gave great satisfaction. From a critical standpoint, the show contains too much singing, good bad and indifferent qualities. With a perfect out of doors day, we have a fairly good audience and will no doubt do an excellent business tonight.

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(F. J. O'Connor-) Boston Show, Week of May 14, 1906. Overture, 2 shows, 10 min.--Selections from "Mlle. Modiste" Willie and Edith Hart, 3 shows, 12 min. in 1--Nice appearing and neatly costumed couple, in singing and dancing specialties. They are too well-known on the circuit to need criticism from me. They started off our show in great shape this afternoon, and could easily go further down on the bill. Mlle. Mabel, 3 shows, 18 min. open full stage, close in 1--Exhibiting monkeys, dogs and a lemur, the latter she is showing as a very rare species of animal. The animals are neither well trained nor do they do anything out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, the young woman has a pleasing personality, and will take with the women and children. Just a fair act for the 3-a-day section. Brockman, Mack and Belmont, 3 shows, 20 min. full stage--In the comedy skit, "The Count on Mother's Account", which is only a name of a number of specialties including the comedy of Mack and piano playiny and vocalism by Brockman, the latter scoring quite a hit. Act closed to good applause. Louise Montrose and Four Auto Girls, 2 shows, 13 min. open in 1, close full stage--There are four girls besides Miss Montrose in this act, opening in 1 with their "Auto" song. The merit of the act lies in the clever dancing and imitations of Miss Montrose. The girls are little more than ornaments, not much at that, either, This is about the proper spot here. Willa Holt Wakefield, 2 shows, 12 min. in 1--Presenting her song readings. We were absolutely forced to work Miss Wakefield in 1 here, and although I cannot see wherein it hurts the act the least bit, Miss Wakefield was strenuous in her objections to being worked close to the lights. I wish to make special note on two facts in connection with this act, the first of which I have already spoken, and the other is that Melville Ellis is using one of the songs which Miss Wakefield avers he cribbed from her. This woman today was in a very nervous and complaining mood, and I do not think worked to the best advantage. Still, the act went very well indeed this afternoon, she being forced to come before the curtain to bow her acknowledgments repeatedly. Excellent act for this house. Camille Trio, 2 shows, 7 min. full stage--Comedy bar performers. The best act of the kind we have had in this house in years, going with screams of laughter throughout and tremendous applause at the close. This act should be booked fo a return right away so as to be sur we get it. Basque Quartet, 2 shows, 10 min. in 1--Three men and a woman in operatic selections. While they started off rather slow, they got them in great shape on their last selection, and they closed to big applause. [Text is missing here where the current leaf covers it] I don't know where the comedy comes in, as she is simply a "straight" singer, and only fair one at that. Passes as a filler here. Gaylor and Graff, 3 shows, 13 min. in 3--Man and woman, man in eccentric makeup and the woman working straight, in comedy skit with vocal specialties. At the very best, these people can only be fillers, and not much at that. Comment:- The show is an excellent one to judge by the enthusiasm and pleased countenances of the audience as they passed out, and evidently gave great satisfaction. From a critical standpoint, the show contains too much singing, good bad and indifferent qualities. With a perfect out of doors day, we have a fairly good audience and will no doubt do an excellent business tonight.