“The Midnight Cabaret”

Singing.

"The Midnight Cabaret."

"The Midnight Cabaret" in comedy has some that is very old, but the two comedians, one German and one Irish, work well together. No programs were issued, and the names of the four principals are unknown. One was a woman, the only female leader. It was placing too much work upon her, even granting she can take care of a leading role in any event. A show such as this really should afford a good soubret. The "straight man" was also somewhat weak. The chorus of eight did very well and have been nicely dressed. A dancing team is used here and there. The girl of it may be she who did a bit of a "cooch." It was permissible, done quite lightly. A wee bit of spice mostly in action creeps in now and then. It is not offensive and, unless carried too far in any tab of this sort should not be objected to. The first part carried the greater liveliness. It is liveliness that counts. About midway in the first act the company started into songs and kept it up until the finale. The second act held more "business" which was funny enough for those in front. The tab management has been enterprising enough to put a "runway" into this show. It was sparingly built and as sparingly used, but added to the general effect. A Charlie Chaplin number was exceptionally well put on. "My Little Girl" was the song hit, and the people "plugged" it, led by the German comedian. "Plugging" or any kind of a stall seems all right where there must be 90 minutes or more gone through, provided the audience is satisfied. "Fishing" was done as a number with the business from the Lew Fields show, of fishing for the girls as they passed. The "Kentucky Home" song had attractive dressing for the barelegged girls. An "imaginary-husband" bit was badly worked. The German comedian is the best performer in the troupe. He held up everything he took part in. "The Midnight Cabaret" is not a bad entertainment of its kind at all. It at least suggests the possibilities of this style of miniature amusement. If tabs will draw in the east as they seem to be doing at the Square, those possibilities will be fully developed by the producers who will go into this branch.

Variety, 38:11 (05/14/1915)