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 282

(M. J. Keating)

Boston Show, Week of June 29, 1903.

The Craigs, 12 min. open full stage, close in 1--Nicely costumed musical act, which would fit in very nicely in a much better spot in the bill than I can give it this week.

Violet Wood and Fred Ray, 16 min. open full stage, close in 1--A burlesque comedy act, with singing specialties. An amusing and altogether satisfactory act for a medium place on any programme.

Clifford and Dixon, 13 min. in 1--German dialect comedians, just fair act from a 3-a-day standpoint. I cut a couple of objectionable gags, and the song that parodies the President of the United States, something which we do not allow in any form in this house.

Fadettes Orchestra, 30 min. full stage--Charming programme of light and popular music. No diminution in their popularity.

McIntyre and Heath, 35 min. open in one, close full stage-For their second week, presented "The Georgia Minstrels", which went better than I have ever known it to do, owing largely, I think, to their place in the bill.

Collins and North, 15 min. in 1--Talking and singing comedians, who had a stiff place following McIntyre and Heath, but I could not figure out any other way of placing them. They went quite strong finishing with a good parody on "The Bamboo Tree". I cut that portion of their opening song in which the coffin full of cheese is mistaken for the remains of a mother-in-law, as I consider that it grates too much on the sensibilities of the nice people in the audience.

Mr. and Mrs. Robyns, 30 min. full stage--Presenting a melodramatic sketch, "The Counsel for the Defence", which has not been done here for three years. It was capitally acted, contrasted with the average sketches of the kind done in the vanities, although I think Mr. Robyns has fallen off somewhat, or grown careless. It got lots of laughs all through and had a double curtain at the finish.

Sallie Stembler, 12 min. in 1--First time here of this singing comedienne, who made a big hit with am number of ballads, sung straight and burlesqued. She makes a fine stage appearance and is beautifully gowned.

Alfred Arnessen, 10 min. in 3--One of the best equilibrists who has ever appeared here, and put up a tremendously showy act. He scored a great hit.

Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--First rate lot of motion pictures, the comedy subjects all coming in for laughs and applause. An illustration of "Cinderella" will appeal particularly to the children.

Watermelon Trust, 30 min. full stage--Consisting of three women and two men, all half coons. The comedian is a clever chap, sings fairly and dances well, but none of the others have singing voices, two of them dance fairly. The set went big with the back portion of the floor and balconies, but did not make any favorable impression on those in the higher-priced seats. They are best in ensemble work, for which they were applauded all round.

Myers and Rosa, 12 min. open in 2, close in 1--Neat little juggling act, with a few novelties. Makes an excellent 3-a-day turn.

Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Usual interesting collection of views.

Comment:- The show has too much talking in it, but that could not be helped this week.
I think it will be as strong as that of last week with a little rearrangement.

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(M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of June 29, 1903. The Craigs, 12 min. open full stage, close in 1--Nicely costumed musical act, which would fit in very nicely in a much better spot in the bill than I can give it this week. Violet Wood and Fred Ray, 16 min. open full stage, close in 1--A burlesque comedy act, with singing specialties. An amusing and altogether satisfactory act for a medium place on any programme. Clifford and Dixon, 13 min. in 1--German dialect comedians, just fair act from a 3-a-day standpoint. I cut a couple of objectionable gags, and the song that parodies the President of the United States, something which we do not allow in any form in this house. Fadettes Orchestra, 30 min. full stage--Charming programme of light and popular music. No diminution in their popularity. McIntyre and Heath, 35 min. open in one, close full stage-For their second week, presented "The Georgia Minstrels", which went better than I have ever known it to do, owing largely, I think, to their place in the bill. Collins and North, 15 min. in 1--Talking and singing comedians, who had a stiff place following McIntyre and Heath, but I could not figure out any other way of placing them. They went quite strong finishing with a good parody on "The Bamboo Tree". I cut that portion of their opening song in which the coffin full of cheese is mistaken for the remains of a mother-in-law, as I consider that it grates too much on the sensibilities of the nice people in the audience. Mr. and Mrs. Robyns, 30 min. full stage--Presenting a melodramatic sketch, "The Counsel for the Defence", which has not been done here for three years. It was capitally acted, contrasted with the average sketches of the kind done in the vanities, although I think Mr. Robyns has fallen off somewhat, or grown careless. It got lots of laughs all through and had a double curtain at the finish. Sallie Stembler, 12 min. in 1--First time here of this singing comedienne, who made a big hit with am number of ballads, sung straight and burlesqued. She makes a fine stage appearance and is beautifully gowned. Alfred Arnessen, 10 min. in 3--One of the best equilibrists who has ever appeared here, and put up a tremendously showy act. He scored a great hit. Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--First rate lot of motion pictures, the comedy subjects all coming in for laughs and applause. An illustration of "Cinderella" will appeal particularly to the children. Watermelon Trust, 30 min. full stage--Consisting of three women and two men, all half coons. The comedian is a clever chap, sings fairly and dances well, but none of the others have singing voices, two of them dance fairly. The set went big with the back portion of the floor and balconies, but did not make any favorable impression on those in the higher-priced seats. They are best in ensemble work, for which they were applauded all round. Myers and Rosa, 12 min. open in 2, close in 1--Neat little juggling act, with a few novelties. Makes an excellent 3-a-day turn. Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Usual interesting collection of views. Comment:- The show has too much talking in it, but that could not be helped this week. I think it will be as strong as that of last week with a little rearrangement.