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 277a

NEW YORK SHOW, WEEK OF JUNE 15, 1903. --2.
"barker" around a circus lot which was exceptionally funny and which made a big hit. He is all right in every way and is going to make a valuable turn in one for next season. 22 minutes in one.
MHR.-- HOWARD THURSTON.-- For the first time I have been able to get a line on this man's act, and I can easily understand why Mr. Keith booked it. I think it is unquestionably the most attractive magic act that I have ever seen. As it has already been in the other two houses on the circuit it is needless to say that everything he does is novel and original. So far as this house is concerned, he has made a strong impression. everything that he did was received with strong applause. I my opinion, the only thing that is needed to make it one of the greatest acts in this country is just the method of presentation which Mr. Keith had in mind when he booked the act; that is, that it be done in a thoroughly Oriental fashion from start to finish. The name "Howard Thurston" should be thrown aside entirely, and he should be given some Asiatic title that would be attractive. He should make up in a thoroughly Oriental manner, both as to face and costume, and sink his identity entirely. If he will do this and change one or two small details, it seems to me that he will be able to make almost as good a hit as any artist in his line that has ever appeared in this country. As it is, every act that he did this afternoon was received with a hearty round of applause. As the other houses have said, he is extremely slow in his work and does not put a great deal of life or animation into anything he does, but if he were in an Oriental makeup this fault would not be as nearly apparent and would be accepted as an eccentricity. 16 minutes, full stage.
GYH.--BEATRICE MORELAND.-- Monologue, impersonations, and stories. She went very nicely here this afternoon, but I can easily understand why she would not be very strong in Boston. A New York audience is much more receptive than that of any other city on our circuit. They come her to be amused, and if there is the least glimmer of ability in a performer he or she is bound to reach them before they get through. She was on a little bit late this afternoon, and that is a fault that will be remedied tonight. Aside from that, there was no changed places with her and Chas. Kenna, she will be all right. 17 minutes in one.
MHR.--McINTYRE & HEATH give their old act, "The Georgia Minstrels." It is almost superfluous to make any comment on this team, but, if possible, they went stronger this afternoon than they ever did in this house before. They have a lot of new bits to the act and it is unquestionably the funniest black faced specialty before the public. 34 minutes, open full stage and close in one.
GRR.--COLLINS & NORTH.--Following McIntyre & Heath, these people had a very hard place on the bill, and as the afternoon audience commences to thin out about a quarter after four, it is hardly fair to criticise their act too severely. They have a lot of very good material and created a lot of laughs, and if it were possible for me to put them on about two o'clock they could be credited with a hit. 16 minutes in one.
GYH.--BORANI & NEVARRO.--A man and a woman in a comedy acrobatic act. The man being one of the original Borani Bros. , and the woman the female member of the old 3 Nevarros act. The man is not at all offensive, and the woman is as dainty as she ever was when with the original team. It is a very clever act indeed and received a lot of applause. 12 minutes, full stage.
AR.--THE VITAGRAPH.-- They are giving us a very good selection of views this week, including several mechanical features, and closing with a logging scene which is really a great feature and was watched through to the finish by people who were evidently anxious to catch trains. I consider it one of the best views that they have yet given us. 22 minutes in one

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NEW YORK SHOW, WEEK OF JUNE 15, 1903. --2. "barker" around a circus lot which was exceptionally funny and which made a big hit. He is all right in every way and is going to make a valuable turn in one for next season. 22 minutes in one. MHR.-- HOWARD THURSTON.-- For the first time I have been able to get a line on this man's act, and I can easily understand why Mr. Keith booked it. I think it is unquestionably the most attractive magic act that I have ever seen. As it has already been in the other two houses on the circuit it is needless to say that everything he does is novel and original. So far as this house is concerned, he has made a strong impression. everything that he did was received with strong applause. I my opinion, the only thing that is needed to make it one of the greatest acts in this country is just the method of presentation which Mr. Keith had in mind when he booked the act; that is, that it be done in a thoroughly Oriental fashion from start to finish. The name "Howard Thurston" should be thrown aside entirely, and he should be given some Asiatic title that would be attractive. He should make up in a thoroughly Oriental manner, both as to face and costume, and sink his identity entirely. If he will do this and change one or two small details, it seems to me that he will be able to make almost as good a hit as any artist in his line that has ever appeared in this country. As it is, every act that he did this afternoon was received with a hearty round of applause. As the other houses have said, he is extremely slow in his work and does not put a great deal of life or animation into anything he does, but if he were in an Oriental makeup this fault would not be as nearly apparent and would be accepted as an eccentricity. 16 minutes, full stage. GYH.--BEATRICE MORELAND.-- Monologue, impersonations, and stories. She went very nicely here this afternoon, but I can easily understand why she would not be very strong in Boston. A New York audience is much more receptive than that of any other city on our circuit. They come her to be amused, and if there is the least glimmer of ability in a performer he or she is bound to reach them before they get through. She was on a little bit late this afternoon, and that is a fault that will be remedied tonight. Aside from that, there was no changed places with her and Chas. Kenna, she will be all right. 17 minutes in one. MHR.--McINTYRE & HEATH give their old act, "The Georgia Minstrels." It is almost superfluous to make any comment on this team, but, if possible, they went stronger this afternoon than they ever did in this house before. They have a lot of new bits to the act and it is unquestionably the funniest black faced specialty before the public. 34 minutes, open full stage and close in one. GRR.--COLLINS & NORTH.--Following McIntyre & Heath, these people had a very hard place on the bill, and as the afternoon audience commences to thin out about a quarter after four, it is hardly fair to criticise their act too severely. They have a lot of very good material and created a lot of laughs, and if it were possible for me to put them on about two o'clock they could be credited with a hit. 16 minutes in one. GYH.--BORANI & NEVARRO.--A man and a woman in a comedy acrobatic act. The man being one of the original Borani Bros. , and the woman the female member of the old 3 Nevarros act. The man is not at all offensive, and the woman is as dainty as she ever was when with the original team. It is a very clever act indeed and received a lot of applause. 12 minutes, full stage. AR.--THE VITAGRAPH.-- They are giving us a very good selection of views this week, including several mechanical features, and closing with a logging scene which is really a great feature and was watched through to the finish by people who were evidently anxious to catch trains. I consider it one of the best views that they have yet given us. 22 minutes in one