Rouby’s Electrical Novelty

Location:
Date:
Type:
This act is a very handsome one indeed, but it is one of those turns which it is very hard to judge of by a Monday afternoon audience. It is an act that will not bring forth a great deal of applause, but I think that the audience will be satisfied with it. It consists of scenic effects which are augmented by the use of electricity. The principal features are a storm scene in which the effect of the gathering clouds, a driving rain storm, thunder and lightening, etc. are succeeded by clear weather which gives an opportunity for a rain-bow, the singing of birds, the rising of the moon, etc. Then a couple of girls operate by means of electric apparatus on two tables some drums, whistles, castanets, tamborines, etc. hung in on ornamental frame which drops down from one; all of these instruments being illuminated at different times by electricity. From that they go to a scene in the Paris Exposition, the central feature of which is the Eiffel Tower, which is trimmed with electric lights in different designs, each design being produced alternately and the whole being made doubly attractive by an illumination of the exposition buildings in the background. At the outset this afternoon there was a little hitch in the electrical connection which was Rousby’s own fault with everything running properly it can hardly fail to be a very pleasing act, the value of which can be better established from the standpoint of an evening audience.
Source:
University of Iowa, Keith-Albee Vaudeville Collection, Manager Reports, 21 September 1903-14 March 1904