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 264

264
(M. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of May 11, 1903.
Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Usual interesting collection of views, with orchestral accompliment, are a good deal better than many of the poor opening acts we are obliged to play.
John & Lillian Hoover, 12 min. full stage--A fair dancing, juggling and singing act, which went quite strong in this place in the bill, especially at the close. From a 3-a-day standpoint it is a good act.
Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--A capital lot of motion pictures, including a series illustrating "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", which interests and pleases the old as well as the young. There is not a poor film in the lot, and they were all applauded.
Fadettes woman's orchestra, 40 min. full stage--The popularity and drawing power of this organization inn this theatre was demonstrated as soon as the doors opened by the number of women who came in, discounting the attendance of the sex we have had on Mondays since the orchestra was here before. It was especially noticeable in the First balcony, which was filled for the first time in several weeks. The programme is made up altogether of popular selections, and every number was encored, some of them double. The new stage setting is the handsomest thing ever seen in this theatre.
The Two Brittons, 12 min. in 1--Colored man and woman. who sing and dance well. Were compelled to respond to half a dozen encores. Their eccentric dancing is much better than their singing. In the evening the big hit of the whole show.
Zazelle and Vernon, 14 min. open full stage, close in 1-- Triple horizontal bar performers, one working straight and the other in clown makeup. They are fair acrobats and the pantomomimic comedy is decidedly above the average.
Trovollo, 15 min. open full stage, close in 1--Fair ventriloquil comedian, who employs a number of good mechanical figures, which he manages to walk about the stage in quite a life-like manner. He also carries some special scenery which adds to the value of the act. Considering the fact, that he follows so soon after Reynard, he did quite well. He has a dog that makes quite a hit with the female portion of the audience.
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Barry, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--The best comedy act of the bill. Barry's assumption of the foolish boy's role is quite clever, and his dialogue full of wit. He also scores with some topical songs, and adds verses aimed at local happenings. It was funny all through, particularly so at the finish.
Fred Ward and John Curran, 30 min. open full stage, close in 1--In their usual potpouri of nonsencical comedy, interspersed with songs by Curran, who is loosing his voice very fast. They are popular here and went strong.
Franco Piper, 10 min. open in 2, close in 1--This man is one of the best banjo players, especially whit his trick work, whom I have ever heard. He made a big hit in a stiff place in the bill.
Howard Thurston, 15 min. full stage--He is too stiff to ever become a clever magician, and two or three of his tricks failed this afternoon. Personally, I look upon him as an impossibility, and he could never again obtain the salary we are paying him. He has some nice illusions but they are dwarfed by big scenery and killed by bungling performers. Mr. Albee may be able to make something out of him, but I doubt it.
Ed Gray, 18 min. in 1--Clever young fellow, who tells some excellent stories and sings some good comedy songs. Good act in any bill for an early place.
Chinese Johnny Williams, 14 min. open in 2, close in 1--Burlesque novelty, well done and worth a much better place in the bill than is possible for me to give him this week. Made good with a small audience.
Charlie Howard, 11 min. in 1--Hebrew parody singer and story teller. Quite a passable small act, and would pull through in a better place on the programme.
Besnah and Millar, 15 min. in 1--A mana and woman, in singing and dancing specialties. A fairly food act in a small place in the bill.
Comment:- The show, as a whole, is better balanced than any for several weeks, and should draw good business. The comedy is more in evidence than usual and that is what the people want.

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264 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of May 11, 1903. Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Usual interesting collection of views, with orchestral accompliment, are a good deal better than many of the poor opening acts we are obliged to play. John & Lillian Hoover, 12 min. full stage--A fair dancing, juggling and singing act, which went quite strong in this place in the bill, especially at the close. From a 3-a-day standpoint it is a good act. Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--A capital lot of motion pictures, including a series illustrating "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", which interests and pleases the old as well as the young. There is not a poor film in the lot, and they were all applauded. Fadettes woman's orchestra, 40 min. full stage--The popularity and drawing power of this organization inn this theatre was demonstrated as soon as the doors opened by the number of women who came in, discounting the attendance of the sex we have had on Mondays since the orchestra was here before. It was especially noticeable in the First balcony, which was filled for the first time in several weeks. The programme is made up altogether of popular selections, and every number was encored, some of them double. The new stage setting is the handsomest thing ever seen in this theatre. The Two Brittons, 12 min. in 1--Colored man and woman. who sing and dance well. Were compelled to respond to half a dozen encores. Their eccentric dancing is much better than their singing. In the evening the big hit of the whole show. Zazelle and Vernon, 14 min. open full stage, close in 1-- Triple horizontal bar performers, one working straight and the other in clown makeup. They are fair acrobats and the pantomomimic comedy is decidedly above the average. Trovollo, 15 min. open full stage, close in 1--Fair ventriloquil comedian, who employs a number of good mechanical figures, which he manages to walk about the stage in quite a life-like manner. He also carries some special scenery which adds to the value of the act. Considering the fact, that he follows so soon after Reynard, he did quite well. He has a dog that makes quite a hit with the female portion of the audience. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Barry, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--The best comedy act of the bill. Barry's assumption of the foolish boy's role is quite clever, and his dialogue full of wit. He also scores with some topical songs, and adds verses aimed at local happenings. It was funny all through, particularly so at the finish. Fred Ward and John Curran, 30 min. open full stage, close in 1--In their usual potpouri of nonsencical comedy, interspersed with songs by Curran, who is loosing his voice very fast. They are popular here and went strong. Franco Piper, 10 min. open in 2, close in 1--This man is one of the best banjo players, especially whit his trick work, whom I have ever heard. He made a big hit in a stiff place in the bill. Howard Thurston, 15 min. full stage--He is too stiff to ever become a clever magician, and two or three of his tricks failed this afternoon. Personally, I look upon him as an impossibility, and he could never again obtain the salary we are paying him. He has some nice illusions but they are dwarfed by big scenery and killed by bungling performers. Mr. Albee may be able to make something out of him, but I doubt it. Ed Gray, 18 min. in 1--Clever young fellow, who tells some excellent stories and sings some good comedy songs. Good act in any bill for an early place. Chinese Johnny Williams, 14 min. open in 2, close in 1--Burlesque novelty, well done and worth a much better place in the bill than is possible for me to give him this week. Made good with a small audience. Charlie Howard, 11 min. in 1--Hebrew parody singer and story teller. Quite a passable small act, and would pull through in a better place on the programme. Besnah and Millar, 15 min. in 1--A mana and woman, in singing and dancing specialties. A fairly food act in a small place in the bill. Comment:- The show, as a whole, is better balanced than any for several weeks, and should draw good business. The comedy is more in evidence than usual and that is what the people want.