DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

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Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Page 150

(M J. Keating)

Boston Show Week of Jan 12, 1903

Stereoptican, 3 shows, 10 in. in 1, --Usual lot of interesting pictures.

The Six Blackbirds, 2 shows, 10 min., open full stage, close in 1--The singing and dancing of these colored entertainers is fair, but their comedy is very bad, and we have cut it out here, reducing their act from 23 to 18 minutes. They should properly be with the orchestra in order that their act wouls show to better advantage, and we will try to place it there on the rearrangement of the show.

Fisher and Clark, 2 shows, 12 min., full stage--Consists of singing soubrette and acrobatic comedian. The woman is passable. The man comedian cannot be considered at all, but wins out on half a dozen good tumbles, however.

Keith's Orchestra--Played 2 overtures, 8 min. each, their selection being "The Village Orchestra", which made a big laughing hit and was almost as good as any comedy act in show. Would recommend it for orchestras in the other houses.

Orville and Frank, 2 shows, 10 min., full stage--A capital sight act, which has improved 20% since last time it was here. Went big, and will be given a better place on programme if it can be arranged.

Trask and Gladden, 2 shows, 8 min. in 1--Work of these two men fell flat, notwithstanding they are excellent artists in their line. It is my opinion that this sort of singing and dancing act is being received with less favor each week, in this house, at least.

Rosa Naynen's Birds, 2 shows, 16 min. full stage--Best act in the varieties, and although it did not receive anything like the amount of applause, its merit deserved, I think the people in the audience fully appreciated it. It certainly must appeal to the nicer class of people.

Biograph, 3 shows, 15 min. in 1--Just fair assortment of pictures, with exception of a fine panoramic railroad view, which elicited applause.

Brothers French, 2 shows, 8 min. full tage--Tejhse men are foreign performers, and almost all of their work is accomplished on unicycles. It has the customary finish that always goes with the work of entertainers from the other side, with the exception ofthe comedians, adn was well received all through. It went strong with our regular audience.

O. K. Sato, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1--This juggling comedian made a laughing hit for his extravagant funmaking seems to appeal strongly to the people. Of course as a juggler, pure and simple, he never happened with many others.

Motogirl, 2 shows, 14 min. open full stage close in 1--Proved to be a decided novelty and will, undoubtedly be talked about during the week. Cannot make up my mind after one show, whether she should be retained a second week or not. The majority of the audience seemed to be dazed as to whether it was an automa tom or human being.

George W. Day, 2 shows, 15 min. in 1--This blackface comedian did not go so strong as last time he appeared here.  His new songs were flat failures and will have to be changed, and his monologue material was old.

Watson, Hutchings and Edwards, 2 shows, 22 min., full stage--Presenting the "Vaudeville Exchange" a conglomeration of nonsense that was new here, with the exception of introducing one or two specialties formerly done by Watson and Hutchings. It went very well, and for the most part was received with laughter especially the finish.

Fialowski, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1--Imitator of animals and other things animate and inanimate. Always goes strong here.

Baker and Lynn, 2 shows, 23 min. full stage--Presenting for the first time here, new comedy called "Electric Boy". It made a laughable hit and held the audience wonderfully long after the customary hour of breaking up.

Anna Caldwell, 2 shows, 13 min. in 1--Singing comedian and poor one at that. If she does not turn out better on the second show than she did on the first, it will be no hard to cancel her. We do not consider her worth the cut down price she is betting.

Charlotta Delmar, 2 shows, 9 min., full stage--Quite a neat dressed and worked bicycle turn, and considering the reduced number of people in the audience at the time when she appeared, the act went very nicely.

Comments- The show will probably turn out a satisfactory one, with a little rearrangement. It would not be fair to criticize it at this time, for the reason, that the audience was a particularly unappreciative one. It is my opinion that it will turn out better although there is too much or too little of certain forms of entertainment on the bill, which we will decide upon latter.

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(M J. Keating) Boston Show Week of Jan 12, 1903 Stereoptican, 3 shows, 10 in. in 1, --Usual lot of interesting pictures. The Six Blackbirds, 2 shows, 10 min., open full stage, close in 1--The singing and dancing of these colored entertainers is fair, but their comedy is very bad, and we have cut it out here, reducing their act from 23 to 18 minutes. They should properly be with the orchestra in order that their act wouls show to better advantage, and we will try to place it there on the rearrangement of the show. Fisher and Clark, 2 shows, 12 min., full stage--Consists of singing soubrette and acrobatic comedian. The woman is passable. The man comedian cannot be considered at all, but wins out on half a dozen good tumbles, however. Keith's Orchestra--Played 2 overtures, 8 min. each, their selection being "The Village Orchestra", which made a big laughing hit and was almost as good as any comedy act in show. Would recommend it for orchestras in the other houses. Orville and Frank, 2 shows, 10 min., full stage--A capital sight act, which has improved 20% since last time it was here. Went big, and will be given a better place on programme if it can be arranged. Trask and Gladden, 2 shows, 8 min. in 1--Work of these two men fell flat, notwithstanding they are excellent artists in their line. It is my opinion that this sort of singing and dancing act is being received with less favor each week, in this house, at least. Rosa Naynen's Birds, 2 shows, 16 min. full stage--Best act in the varieties, and although it did not receive anything like the amount of applause, its merit deserved, I think the people in the audience fully appreciated it. It certainly must appeal to the nicer class of people. Biograph, 3 shows, 15 min. in 1--Just fair assortment of pictures, with exception of a fine panoramic railroad view, which elicited applause. Brothers French, 2 shows, 8 min. full tage--Tejhse men are foreign performers, and almost all of their work is accomplished on unicycles. It has the customary finish that always goes with the work of entertainers from the other side, with the exception ofthe comedians, adn was well received all through. It went strong with our regular audience. O. K. Sato, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1--This juggling comedian made a laughing hit for his extravagant funmaking seems to appeal strongly to the people. Of course as a juggler, pure and simple, he never happened with many others. Motogirl, 2 shows, 14 min. open full stage close in 1--Proved to be a decided novelty and will, undoubtedly be talked about during the week. Cannot make up my mind after one show, whether she should be retained a second week or not. The majority of the audience seemed to be dazed as to whether it was an automa tom or human being. George W. Day, 2 shows, 15 min. in 1--This blackface comedian did not go so strong as last time he appeared here. His new songs were flat failures and will have to be changed, and his monologue material was old. Watson, Hutchings and Edwards, 2 shows, 22 min., full stage--Presenting the "Vaudeville Exchange" a conglomeration of nonsense that was new here, with the exception of introducing one or two specialties formerly done by Watson and Hutchings. It went very well, and for the most part was received with laughter especially the finish. Fialowski, 2 shows, 14 min. in 1--Imitator of animals and other things animate and inanimate. Always goes strong here. Baker and Lynn, 2 shows, 23 min. full stage--Presenting for the first time here, new comedy called "Electric Boy". It made a laughable hit and held the audience wonderfully long after the customary hour of breaking up. Anna Caldwell, 2 shows, 13 min. in 1--Singing comedian and poor one at that. If she does not turn out better on the second show than she did on the first, it will be no hard to cancel her. We do not consider her worth the cut down price she is betting. Charlotta Delmar, 2 shows, 9 min., full stage--Quite a neat dressed and worked bicycle turn, and considering the reduced number of people in the audience at the time when she appeared, the act went very nicely. Comments- The show will probably turn out a satisfactory one, with a little rearrangement. It would not be fair to criticize it at this time, for the reason, that the audience was a particularly unappreciative one. It is my opinion that it will turn out better although there is too much or too little of certain forms of entertainment on the bill, which we will decide upon latter.