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 300

300
[ILLEGIBLE] Show. Week of July 20, 1903.

Tannean Brothers--This team turned up unexpectedly stating that they were booked at the Boston house this week. Upon investigation we found it was our mistake and they accordingly opened the show. As openers they went very well. A good deal livelier than a great many openers but could not go much further down the hill.

THE GREGSONS, Song and dance in 1--Both are quite awkward and stiff. If they limber up a little bit and apply some more grace it could make a nice act for one. Their wardrobe at times was quite pretty and again stiff. It can only be classed as fair.

AUGUSTE DEWELL, May be rated a very good 3-show turn. He is not strong enough for a better section but in the place where he is goes exceedingly well.

ELSIE BERNARD, If this woman would apply a bit more life into her makeup she could go into the best part of the bill. She dresses well and has a pleasant appearance but lacks the necessary fire to keep the audience with her all the time. Her stuff is good but the vim to handle it is lacking. In her place she does very well and with a little more experience could make good anywhere. I rather like these entre of bright looking women into the monologue lines.

TRASK AND GLADDEN, These fellows always hold up well in their song and dance.

FADETTES  Going with the usual strength. Encores demanded after every show. No doubt a big factor is the drawing part of the show.

DAVE NOWLIN, Goes well in an easy place but her personality helps him along way. It seems to me if I remember rightly his stuff is not quite as good as the last time he was here. He has resorted to songs rather than to imitations.

PALFREY AND HILTON  , The comedian of this team is the hit and carries the act. Makes a great hit. The comedy work is very good. The partner is a little too posey and stiff in his acrobatic work but his bicycle work holds up with the best of them.

SMITH AND BRYAN, Just the sort of an act for its place on the bill.  Bryan was always very funny and is so today. Smith, of course/ as straight man, has few superiors. They show evidence of being a little new to each other but of course that will wear off in time.

HUME,ROSS AND LEWIS, This does very well in its place and one of the comedianshas very funny makeup. They finish very strongly and are all right for a return.

[page overlaps]
...of no earthly use and marrs what....
have modified the solo somewhat but hope by the end of the week to eliminate the entire thing and in its place introduce some real lively stage business. I can't for the life of me see how this sketch could have gone along with this glaring error being allowed to run so long. Possibly it has not been over the circuit, if it has I should like other opinions of it.

SHANNON AND BROWN, What I term as in and out success. At times they are very funny and other times they lapse. It will be a very good 3-show act but cannot be rated as a 2-show.

COMMENT:- The show on the whole if very good, very well balanced and will give good satisfaction. The only point to criticize in it is the violin solo in Mary Hampton's sketch, which really had a serious effect on the whole show, closing as it did.

Saving...

300 [ILLEGIBLE] Show. Week of July 20, 1903. Tannean Brothers--This team turned up unexpectedly stating that they were booked at the Boston house this week. Upon investigation we found it was our mistake and they accordingly opened the show. As openers they went very well. A good deal livelier than a great many openers but could not go much further down the hill. THE GREGSONS, Song and dance in 1--Both are quite awkward and stiff. If they limber up a little bit and apply some more grace it could make a nice act for one. Their wardrobe at times was quite pretty and again stiff. It can only be classed as fair. AUGUSTE DEWELL, May be rated a very good 3-show turn. He is not strong enough for a better section but in the place where he is goes exceedingly well. ELSIE BERNARD, If this woman would apply a bit more life into her makeup she could go into the best part of the bill. She dresses well and has a pleasant appearance but lacks the necessary fire to keep the audience with her all the time. Her stuff is good but the vim to handle it is lacking. In her place she does very well and with a little more experience could make good anywhere. I rather like these entre of bright looking women into the monologue lines. TRASK AND GLADDEN, These fellows always hold up well in their song and dance. FADETTES Going with the usual strength. Encores demanded after every show. No doubt a big factor is the drawing part of the show. DAVE NOWLIN, Goes well in an easy place but her personality helps him along way. It seems to me if I remember rightly his stuff is not quite as good as the last time he was here. He has resorted to songs rather than to imitations. PALFREY AND HILTON , The comedian of this team is the hit and carries the act. Makes a great hit. The comedy work is very good. The partner is a little too posey and stiff in his acrobatic work but his bicycle work holds up with the best of them. SMITH AND BRYAN, Just the sort of an act for its place on the bill. Bryan was always very funny and is so today. Smith, of course/ as straight man, has few superiors. They show evidence of being a little new to each other but of course that will wear off in time. HUME,ROSS AND LEWIS, This does very well in its place and one of the comedianshas very funny makeup. They finish very strongly and are all right for a return. [page overlaps] ...of no earthly use and marrs what.... have modified the solo somewhat but hope by the end of the week to eliminate the entire thing and in its place introduce some real lively stage business. I can't for the life of me see how this sketch could have gone along with this glaring error being allowed to run so long. Possibly it has not been over the circuit, if it has I should like other opinions of it. SHANNON AND BROWN, What I term as in and out success. At times they are very funny and other times they lapse. It will be a very good 3-show act but cannot be rated as a 2-show. COMMENT:- The show on the whole if very good, very well balanced and will give good satisfaction. The only point to criticize in it is the violin solo in Mary Hampton's sketch, which really had a serious effect on the whole show, closing as it did.