DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

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

Page 121a

2. Phila.
and solos on the flute. The close in 1 with piccolo and four xylophones got a good hand, particularly the national airs after the rise of the curtain on the huge American flag. Fine hand at the finish, and a curtain call.
KINGSLEY & LEWIS, "After the Honeymoon":- 22 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 2:35--8:35. Received good advance applause. This is a very amusing sketch. A dyspeptic who marries a very husky widow, and is compelled to stand for her despotic rule, even to the food that she prepares for him, as he thinks, with homicidal intent. There are a good many funny situations and amusing lines, and the audience was kept in good humor throughout. The finish was consistent. Closed to a fair hand only, this being in the nature of an act to be enjoyed throughout rather than brought to an uproarous finish. Safe at the above time anywhere.
MANHATTAN COMEDY FOUR, Male quartette:- 15 min. in 1. 2 Shows. On at 2:57--8:27. Four men in the characters of messenger boy, actor, Irishman, and Rube. The singing is very good in the chorus, although they are by no means soloists and fall short when they attempt solo work. There is a lot of comedy in their work and the Irishman is certainly a genius of humor. The close, which consisted of a burlesque on "Faust", was not as ludicrous as the other part of their work. It did not seem spontaneous, but rather forced, and somewhat disappointing. Went off to a good hand, however.
GREAT MOULIER SISTERS, Bar-act:- 11 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 3:12--8:42. Three of the best women-acrobats we have ever had. They make a fine appearance, in the first place,-and their work is right up to the highest Continental standard of skill, daring and finish. Each one of their feats got big applause. They carry with them a semi-comedy helper who falls around the stage and gets a few laughs. These people would make good on any bill anywhere. Their work is brilliant, daring and artistic in every particular. Closed big.
KELLY & VIOLETTE, Vocalists:- 16 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 3:20--8:53. Well known on the Circuit and here in Philadelphia. Received a flattering advance hand. As usual both were perfection in dress, and their songs were the very latest. Each number received good applause and the act throughout held this difficult place on the bill to entire satisfaction. These people are thoroughly up-to-date in every particular, and would certainly do good on any Vaudeville bill in the country.
WM. ROCK & COMPANY, Girl-act in "Thebe":- 23 min. F.S. (3 scenes) 2 shows. On at 3:37--9:10. This is one of the prettiest girl-acts on the Vaudeville stage. There are three different scenes, each one with changes of costumes, and new and sprightly songs. Held attention of the audience through various evolutions, some parts of it, like the Marionette scene, though moving a little slow, getting strong applause. The act is a fanciful one, giving a chance for nine pretty girls to display their talents. The music is very catchy and of a better class. I think there is no doubt of the success of this act with evening audiences, particularly, and the marionette scene especially pleased the children. The close was not as strong as I expected, but it is an act to be enjoyed all through. One curtain call.


O.K. in this place (supper) section.
REMARKS,-Show as a whole below our standard, being deficient in the three-a-day section and lacking a good closing feature,-something that will make people talk. Too many musical specialties and deficient in sight-acts. Early section goes slowly, the audiences waking at about eight o'clock, from which point it runs well to the close. Weather ideal and business big.

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2. Phila. and solos on the flute. The close in 1 with piccolo and four xylophones got a good hand, particularly the national airs after the rise of the curtain on the huge American flag. Fine hand at the finish, and a curtain call. KINGSLEY & LEWIS, "After the Honeymoon":- 22 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 2:35--8:35. Received good advance applause. This is a very amusing sketch. A dyspeptic who marries a very husky widow, and is compelled to stand for her despotic rule, even to the food that she prepares for him, as he thinks, with homicidal intent. There are a good many funny situations and amusing lines, and the audience was kept in good humor throughout. The finish was consistent. Closed to a fair hand only, this being in the nature of an act to be enjoyed throughout rather than brought to an uproarous finish. Safe at the above time anywhere. MANHATTAN COMEDY FOUR, Male quartette:- 15 min. in 1. 2 Shows. On at 2:57--8:27. Four men in the characters of messenger boy, actor, Irishman, and Rube. The singing is very good in the chorus, although they are by no means soloists and fall short when they attempt solo work. There is a lot of comedy in their work and the Irishman is certainly a genius of humor. The close, which consisted of a burlesque on "Faust", was not as ludicrous as the other part of their work. It did not seem spontaneous, but rather forced, and somewhat disappointing. Went off to a good hand, however. GREAT MOULIER SISTERS, Bar-act:- 11 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 3:12--8:42. Three of the best women-acrobats we have ever had. They make a fine appearance, in the first place,-and their work is right up to the highest Continental standard of skill, daring and finish. Each one of their feats got big applause. They carry with them a semi-comedy helper who falls around the stage and gets a few laughs. These people would make good on any bill anywhere. Their work is brilliant, daring and artistic in every particular. Closed big. KELLY & VIOLETTE, Vocalists:- 16 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 3:20--8:53. Well known on the Circuit and here in Philadelphia. Received a flattering advance hand. As usual both were perfection in dress, and their songs were the very latest. Each number received good applause and the act throughout held this difficult place on the bill to entire satisfaction. These people are thoroughly up-to-date in every particular, and would certainly do good on any Vaudeville bill in the country. WM. ROCK & COMPANY, Girl-act in "Thebe":- 23 min. F.S. (3 scenes) 2 shows. On at 3:37--9:10. This is one of the prettiest girl-acts on the Vaudeville stage. There are three different scenes, each one with changes of costumes, and new and sprightly songs. Held attention of the audience through various evolutions, some parts of it, like the Marionette scene, though moving a little slow, getting strong applause. The act is a fanciful one, giving a chance for nine pretty girls to display their talents. The music is very catchy and of a better class. I think there is no doubt of the success of this act with evening audiences, particularly, and the marionette scene especially pleased the children. The close was not as strong as I expected, but it is an act to be enjoyed all through. One curtain call. O.K. in this place (supper) section. REMARKS,-Show as a whole below our standard, being deficient in the three-a-day section and lacking a good closing feature,-something that will make people talk. Too many musical specialties and deficient in sight-acts. Early section goes slowly, the audiences waking at about eight o'clock, from which point it runs well to the close. Weather ideal and business big.