Quite a pretty little posing act, each picture of which gained some applause, and the finish of the act being fairly strong. 8 minutes, special in 5.
This well known and highly recommended risley acrobatic offering lived up to every good thing I have ever heard about the act in advance. This is a really great offering, the equal of which is seldom met. They scored heavily all the way through and the finish was an unqualified, emphatic success. Would there were more like this act. 15 minutes, special set in 5.
“Dainty Comedienne”—She makes a good appearance, her dressing of the act showing a number of pretty gowns which should prove interesting to the women in the house. As a singer she is only fair and the four songs she sang just about got by. Not a bad act but one that is not overly strong. Her personality is pleasing but not especially magnetic. Would recommend this act for an early place on a bill and believe that she would get along moderately well. This afternoon she failed to get her trunk here in time to appear in her wardrobe, but this report on the act is taken from her work on the nigh show.—10 minutes olio in one.
In “The Boy Next Door”. About as crazy a lot of stuff as one could imagine, but in justice to the players it must be said that it was a big laugh the most of the time. When the house was not laughing at Felix they were giving strict attention to Miss Barry or her younger sister. A rattling good comedy act that made good all the way through. 19 minutes, C.D.F. in 3.
“The Blue Grass Boys”. A very excellent singing, talking and comedy act. One straight, the other black face, with a change to both black-face. Straight man proved very acceptable and the comedian is really funny from head to foot. Almost everything he said and did was good for a laugh. Their method is moderately quiet but they get their stuff over in a telling manner and were easily the hit of the bill up to this point.
Man and woman in a comedy sketch, “Holding Out”. This act portrays the trials of a vaudeville actor and actress in an effort to get time in New York. The theme of the piece is very similar to Norton and Nicholson’s “Ella’s All Right”. The scene is the interior of a furnished room in what is ostensibly an actor’s boarding house, and the piece shows the various make-shifts of a comedy order resorted to by the pair to get along with their house-keeping, etc. There were a lot of good solid laughs and the act gained undivided attention all the way through. The finish was quite strong. Would term this a very but not great burlesque, or at least exaggerated comedy. Perfectly satisfactory. 17 minutes, kitchen interior.
Man and woman, colored, in a character singing act. This pair were fairly well received all the way through and answered very nicely as a number for the 2 spot. They did not go big at any time but worked along very satisfactorily and finished moderately strong. Both make a nice clean appearance from the front and the dressing of the act is very good. 15 minutes, two special drops and olio in 1.
Two men in an aerial ring act, one working straight and the other eccentric comedy. This is a very striking and excellent exhibition of what can be accomplished in this line of work. Their work either individually or as a duo was favorably received and the set made a very favorable impression all the way through. Their work is neat, clean, executed with good showmanship, and in every way worthy of the applause bestowed. First class whether as an “opener” or elsewhere. 8 minutes, garden in 5.
A very excellent singing four which scored a good solid success all the way through. They were compelled to respond after every number. 15 minutes, olio in 1.
In Geo. Ade’s one act comedy. “The Mayor and the Manicure”. An exceptionally good and excellently portrayed legitimate one act comedy in the hands of a very capable act. The story is of decided interest and is carefully worked out in every particular. The work of the cast individually and collectively is above reproach, and there is no question as to the act being a hit.