Phenomenal equilibristic wonder. This man is a brother of the Rappo sisters. He is a Russian and does equilibristic work using the chairs and pedestals as do most of the performers in this line of work. I think I will place him where the Rappo Sisters are and put them in this spot. 10 min. F. S.
The Alabama Blossom, a real coon comedian. This man was quite clever in his way. His monologue went very well as did on song. The only fault that can be found with his act is that he tries to do too much. We will cut five minutes off the end of his act and it will greatly improve it. Drop in one. 15 min.
Sketch “Sunset” by Jerome K. Jerome. The company includes Charlotte Townsend, Eleanor Montell, Bessie Johnson, Fred Erick Kerby, Louis Albion, and David M: Hartford. Special scenery designed by Mr Hartford and painted by Greenberg. The sketch is a one-act love story of 40 minutes duration. The action takes place in the interior of a rustic summer house situated in a garden of flowers. The stage setting was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Roses, palms, bay trees, twining vines, and flowers of every description were so artistically arranged and so well lighted that a riot of colour met the eye on the rise of the curtain, and the audience sat enthralled at the beautiful picture presented. The perfume from the flowers was blown (by cleverly concealed fans) into the auditory. Myriads of birds (the fake kind) filled the trees and from their tiny throats poured forth the silver notes of song that filled the air with harmony. Any way it was all right. From all the indications the Hartford Stock Co. will be a hit. Let us hope so. 40 min. Special set. Full stage.
Sketch “The bell-boy and the Waiting Maid” This act was down to close the show but I think it is a wise move to place them here. They did not well today. They seemed to lack action and ginger. If they would do less “Kidding” and more work it would greatly improve the act. While Mr. Smirl’s acrobatic work is good it seems that he has to have at least two minutes rest between each somersault. This sparring for time greatly detracts from the value of the act. C. D. F. in three, close in one, 18 min. Cuts- “Aint it a Beaut” and “The Corkscrew will now Dance” (This referring to his wife).
This man is quite well known on the circuit. He gave his familiar character sketch in which he impersonates two lawyers and a judge in a court room scene. His work was very well received by the afternoon audience, and he succeeded in holding the closest attention without any apparent effort. A very good act for Cleveland. Drop in one 14 min.
Sketch entitled “The Dude Detective”. This act was a pleasant surprise. Mr. Byron in his character work created laughter on his entrance before he had spoken a word and the first hair of the sketch went with a scream. However the interest seemed to Lag at the end, and I am going to try and have them change their finish or cut out five minutes at the end of their act. C. D. F. in 3. 19 min. Cuts- “Bitten by a Cockroach” and “Crossed Eyed Bed-bugs”.
Man and woman in sketch, ‘The Lady’s Tailor.’ The act does not close in one. The sketch, after 5 minutes, resolves into imitations of George Cohan, James Corbett and others. The act did make a great impression. Received some applause in spots. It is too slow for an 8 act bill. Might be all right in a continuous house. CDF in 3. 22 minutes.
Five girls and four boys. This act is put out by a music publishing house to make popular some of the latest popular songs. The act closed better than it opened. The first two or three songs dragged, but when the boys got down to the wooden show dancing and loaded on the hurdy gurdy the act went much better. I would hardly consider the act strong enough to close a show. Interior in three. Close in one. 27 min.
Two men. Comedy acrobatic act. This is not the old Caron & Herbert act by any means. In order to get a laugh today these men had to resort to the selzer bottle and slap stick. Their act is good but hardly good enough for this spot. Garden in four. Close in one. 9 min.
Four songs. Never again for the money. Probably the biggest gold brick that has been handed to me this season. She received absolutely no advance applause, and I doubt in there are five people in the city of Cleveland that ever heard of her or knew that she was ever before on the stage. She sang a soldier boy march song for an opener followed this with a chicken coon song, and closed with one of the popular songs of the music publishers for which she probably receives another salary. Worth about $100 for this house. Drop in one. 12 min.
