Transcribe
Translate
Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903
Page 279
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
279 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of June 15, 1903. Beeson, Ferguson and Beeson, 15 min. open full stage, close in 1--Two men and a woman, in a comedy, singing and dancing sketch. The act is pretty slow up to the point where they begin to dance, after which it goes quite strong, as all the members of the trio are good dancers. Makes a fair opening act. Al Lawson and Princess Namon, 12 min. full stage--The man is a capital comedy and trick bicyclist, and scored quite a hit. The woman does some artistic bag punching, and being of good personal appearance, and costumed neatly, also made a hit. The act is good enough for the 2 show section. William Tompkins, 17 min. in 1--In monologue and stories. He has a capital line of goods, but falls short in the delivery, lacking the personality which carries along many entertainers of his class. He may go better later on, when he has had more experience. Toby Zara and Violet Stetson, 9 min. full stage--Baton and gun juggler. A pretty costumed "sight" set, which made a good impression. Kitty Wolfe, 11 min. in 1--Attractive little woman, who manages to go from the sublime to the ridiculous, so to speak, since she starts off with something artistic and finishes with a good bit of comedy. She "made good" in an important place in the bill. Fadettes Orchestra, 30 min. full stage--Went stronger than at any time since they have opened, the audience applauding long after the curtain had gone down, and quite evidently wanting more of their music. There can be no possible doubt of their value in this house. Today they were on nearly an hour further down the bill than at any time before this season, but it is my opinion that they can "make good" anywhere they are placed. James Richmond Glenroy, 18 min. in 1--He went quite strong with the afternoon audience, but it was a rainy day gathering and not criterion for our regular patrons. He slung a lot of stuff at them that he claims he has been doing everywhere, but we have cut practically one-fourth of the material. It does not seem to me that he is furnishing much newer material than he offered a half dozen years ago. We can do without him for as long a period as before. Yankee Comedy Four, 16 min. open in 4, close in 1--Very good quartet of vocalists and comedians, showing considerable originality in their work, especially in the idea of rendering the latest song, "Hiawatha", with Indian costumes. For this they were recalled two or three times. LeRoy and LeVanion, 12 min. full stage--Comedy horizontal bar performers, in a capital act that can be placed anywhere in a programme. Went big, the audience applauding and laughing all through the turn. Harry Brown, 12 min. in 1--One of the best "real coon" singers in the varieties in many respects a better entertainer than Ernest Hogan. He had several new songs, and went strong in a difficult place in the programme. Craig and Ardelle, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--Musical comedy act by two men, one working straight and the other in eccentric makeup. The comedy man is very good, but his partner is a poor "feeder". The act went well, but should not be out of the 3-per day class. Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--Excellent lot of subjects, including "Impossible Bathing", which is a good comedy picture, and "Mr. Bluebeard", a big attraction for the juveniles. Comment:- The show, as a whole, is fully 100% ahead of that of last week in every department, being better balanced, and having more of the right sort of comedy. The audience was unusually large and enthusiastic, and as a consequence good business will result for the balance of the week, as is always the case when we start the week in this way. There is one act too many in the show, owing to a mistake in the booking department of which I had no knowledge, and we are consequently cut its salary. My criticisms, as nearly as possible, are given from the view seemingly taken by the audience. I always try to sink my own identified in the matter, as it is those who support the theatre whom we should strive to please, not our individual tastes. If we can suit the majority of those who pay the money, then we should all feel satisfied.
Saving...
prev
next
279 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of June 15, 1903. Beeson, Ferguson and Beeson, 15 min. open full stage, close in 1--Two men and a woman, in a comedy, singing and dancing sketch. The act is pretty slow up to the point where they begin to dance, after which it goes quite strong, as all the members of the trio are good dancers. Makes a fair opening act. Al Lawson and Princess Namon, 12 min. full stage--The man is a capital comedy and trick bicyclist, and scored quite a hit. The woman does some artistic bag punching, and being of good personal appearance, and costumed neatly, also made a hit. The act is good enough for the 2 show section. William Tompkins, 17 min. in 1--In monologue and stories. He has a capital line of goods, but falls short in the delivery, lacking the personality which carries along many entertainers of his class. He may go better later on, when he has had more experience. Toby Zara and Violet Stetson, 9 min. full stage--Baton and gun juggler. A pretty costumed "sight" set, which made a good impression. Kitty Wolfe, 11 min. in 1--Attractive little woman, who manages to go from the sublime to the ridiculous, so to speak, since she starts off with something artistic and finishes with a good bit of comedy. She "made good" in an important place in the bill. Fadettes Orchestra, 30 min. full stage--Went stronger than at any time since they have opened, the audience applauding long after the curtain had gone down, and quite evidently wanting more of their music. There can be no possible doubt of their value in this house. Today they were on nearly an hour further down the bill than at any time before this season, but it is my opinion that they can "make good" anywhere they are placed. James Richmond Glenroy, 18 min. in 1--He went quite strong with the afternoon audience, but it was a rainy day gathering and not criterion for our regular patrons. He slung a lot of stuff at them that he claims he has been doing everywhere, but we have cut practically one-fourth of the material. It does not seem to me that he is furnishing much newer material than he offered a half dozen years ago. We can do without him for as long a period as before. Yankee Comedy Four, 16 min. open in 4, close in 1--Very good quartet of vocalists and comedians, showing considerable originality in their work, especially in the idea of rendering the latest song, "Hiawatha", with Indian costumes. For this they were recalled two or three times. LeRoy and LeVanion, 12 min. full stage--Comedy horizontal bar performers, in a capital act that can be placed anywhere in a programme. Went big, the audience applauding and laughing all through the turn. Harry Brown, 12 min. in 1--One of the best "real coon" singers in the varieties in many respects a better entertainer than Ernest Hogan. He had several new songs, and went strong in a difficult place in the programme. Craig and Ardelle, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--Musical comedy act by two men, one working straight and the other in eccentric makeup. The comedy man is very good, but his partner is a poor "feeder". The act went well, but should not be out of the 3-per day class. Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--Excellent lot of subjects, including "Impossible Bathing", which is a good comedy picture, and "Mr. Bluebeard", a big attraction for the juveniles. Comment:- The show, as a whole, is fully 100% ahead of that of last week in every department, being better balanced, and having more of the right sort of comedy. The audience was unusually large and enthusiastic, and as a consequence good business will result for the balance of the week, as is always the case when we start the week in this way. There is one act too many in the show, owing to a mistake in the booking department of which I had no knowledge, and we are consequently cut its salary. My criticisms, as nearly as possible, are given from the view seemingly taken by the audience. I always try to sink my own identified in the matter, as it is those who support the theatre whom we should strive to please, not our individual tastes. If we can suit the majority of those who pay the money, then we should all feel satisfied.
Keith-Albee Collection
sidebar
