Two men. In one, time 17 minutes. Presenting ‘Those Were Happy Days.’ One of the best and brightest sketches in vaudeville. While fun is the predominate characteristic, there is a touch of true pathos which comes in very effectively and which brings a burst of applause from the audience. This act is good any time on any bill.
Palace in 4. Five girls. Time 13 min. This is a dainty act introducing, acrobatic stunts, handsprings, some dancing, and a little good singing. The girls work fast and hold the attention of the people. The act looked very good to me; but the audience did not give it much applause.
Coons. In one, 21 minutes. These are two very good coons who are evidently a bit new to the vaudeville business, yet they have some great material which goes big. One member of the team is a very funny fellow and has one of the best singing voices I have ever heard. The act is entirely too long and could be shortened five or ten minutes to advantage.
Monologue. I do not think Mr. Wood’s first seven or eight minutes is interesting to anybody, which was clearly shown at this afternoon’s performance. He uses this amount of time roasting society college boys, rich men’s sons, and the things they wear… The latter part of his act improved some, but nothing to brag about, and the applause of this act was very light. 21 MIN. in one.
C.D.F. 10 min. This act may be best described as the offering of the first rate contortionist who also is a good musician. Duffek ties himself up into knots and plays on a variety of instruments at the same time. While the act is a decided novelty it did not receive much applause.
With Wm. Burress and about 23 other people. I still feel the same about this act as I did when I criticised it at the opening performance at the Opera House. The fore part of the act consists mostly of New York local stuff, and I do not think the general Cleveland Audiences understand it; at least they did not seem to this afternoon. Of course the closing of the act carries it through to a very good finish, but seemed to lack ginger today, and therefore only had to sing one enchore [sic], while the company at the Opera received 8 enchores at their performance that I say, and to my mind was much better company. This is not saying that this is not a good act, for it is, and they have some unusually good voices with it, but hardly think they will draw us their salary. 25 min, FS, Spec. Drop, representing back of stage.
In Geo. Ade’s Farce, ‘Mrs. Peckham’s Carouse.’ This is a little sketch which used by May Erwin as a curtain raiser last season and to my mind is one of the best little comedy sketches we have played this season. It is a continuous laugh from start to finish and received three curtain calls at the close. Five people in the act including Miss Erwin. 2 women and three men, and every one a good actor. I do notthink [sic] anyone can make a mistake playing this sketch. Int. with partitions with door making an outer and inner office. 24 min.
Spec. set. FS, 2 women one man. 16 minutes. A dainty and distinct juggling novelty. The three work together in great shape, and give a smooth performance of wonderful skill. They juggle tennis rackets, balls, and Indian clubs. The audience is held spell bound. Applause was frequent during this act. But for some reason there was not much applause at the close. One of the best juggling acts we have ever had.
In one, 15 minutes. Miss Tanguay sings five songs in the spot light and makes a big hit, by jumping all over the stage and doing funny stunts with her voice. She is proving a big drawing card here this week. Many people do not like her act, but the majority do. She makes a rapid change before each song, appearing in beautiful and striking costumes.
Special set, full stage, 8 minutes. The act shows a minature [sic] street scene in which dogs and monkeys carry abut [sic] a melodrama without the appearance of their trainer at any time during the act. The animals are remarkably well trained and one dog that does ‘A Drunk’ makes as big a hit as I have ever seen in vaudeville. This whole act is a continuous scream.
