Location:
Theater:
Date:
Type:
Singing.
The 81st Street Theatre seems hardly the house for a big time act to appear at its New York showing. This theatre divides its program with a feature picture, playing three acts at either side of the film. Through that the theatre confesses that first it is a picture house rather than vaudeville, and secondly it prefers pictures. Otherwise it would not run its program in this disastrous manner for the vaudeville turns following the picture, as a weekly released feature film such as the 81st Street employs is often intensely dramatic. This policy must give the theatre a picture rather than a vaudeville clientele. The policy says in itself it forces those who go there for vaudeville to sit through the feature to see the other end of the show. Obviously then, those who want to see vaudeville in preference to a picture will go to a theatre giving a straight vaudeville bill first, and if there is a picture, it closes the show. If new acts first showing at the 81st Street disappointed at their reception there they may find the cause among the many reasons. The Misses Shaw and Campbell had no especial complaint Tuesday evening, but still they could not have been elated with their choice for first appearance on Broadway. The girls, decidedly blonde and as decidedly brunet, with good looks to each an added attraction, were formerly of a three-act, Heckman, Shaw and Campbell. In the present double turn, the girls sing and each plays the piano. They go in somewhat strongly for harmony and make it. Their songs are of the popular brand, and they end the turn with a "blues," very nicely done. Previously there were straight numbers, including a ballad or so. The young women are strongest on appearance. They have what vaudeville can always use - stage presence of the wholesome sort. It's the very best commodity in vaudeville today - for vaudeville. The Misses Shaw and Campbell should be able to make it in an early spot on the best of the big time.
Source:
Variety, 54:4 (03/21/1919)