Notwithstanding the poor delivery of Auger, and the ‘fierce’ acting of Sylvia Hearne, this is a corking good act, particularly for our matinee audiences. The lilliputs are all right, and the act itself is a big novelty as the contrast in the size of the Auger and the lilliputs is so great as to almost create a sensation. 24 min. FS.
Acrobatic and dancing, with ‘black art’ methods, comprising seven girls and two men. The ground tumbling of the men is excellent, and it might be called the feature of the act. This act does not add any new laurels to Ned Wayburn. It might make an excellent act for one of the burlesque wheels. 16 min, FS.
Presenting for the first time here ‘Billy’s Tombstones.’ This comedy was a knockout and quite the best things the Drews ever gave us. Some complaint was made regarding the use of swear words by one of the managers on the circuit, but I failed to catch anything of even the slightest in that line. In fact the comedy in the sort that would please a Puritan right off the Mayflower. 25 min, FS.
This ‘wild west’ act carries seven people a [sic] seven horses. Miss Mulhall does some clever work with a trained horse and also some clever stunts with the lariat, roping the horses spinning the rope, etc. Charley Mulhall rides a bucking horse, and uses him quite cruelly in driving the spur into him to make him buck. I am uncertain this part of the act will be received by the women patrons. The ‘wild’ horse appears gentle enough until he is made quite frantic by the rowels. 24 min, FS.
I confess that I cannot see this act with the Lick telescope. It may be that I have a torpid liver, but if anybody can point out one single redeeming feature in it I will take off my hat and acknowledge I am in error. While Miss Crispi is as good as Miss O’Neil in the part neither she nor Guyer should ever be allowed in a carpeted dressing room. 23 min. FS.
Dillon Brothers held down this spot in very good shape. Their parodies are a trifle rough for the matinee audiences in this theater, composed as they are largely of women and children. 18 min. in one.
Mr. Primrose presents eight white boys in blackface, and a wealth of pretty scenery. Open in full stage with a very pretty set of a cotton field in the moonlight, and close in one with a silver shower clog by the boys. While this is really a great dancing act I do not consider it worth near the money Primrose is getting for it. Unless it is deemed wise to pay $500. For the Primrose name and $500. For the act proper. 11 min. FS. 5 min. in one.
German violinist, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Voelker. This act is more suited to the concert stage than to vaudeville. While his “Gipsy Melodies,” and “Fantasie Caprice” were rendered brilliantly the audience appeared to like the intermezzo from “Cavaliera Rusticana” the best, for the reason, perhaps, that it has been rendered in vaudeville so often the masses are familiar with the strain. In justice to Mr. Voelker it must be said that he played it with greater finish than it has ever been played here. 13 min. in 3.
There has been no change in this act since last here, and it went fully as strong as Kennedy is a clever fellow notwithstanding his inclination to hold the stage too long. The act is rough in spots and he should be instructed to cut out all reference to Red Raven splits, pushing an imaginary strand of hair inside his vest, the play on “May Match,” etc. These crudities do not help his act, and may do more harm to the theater than we imagine. 24 min. FS. Can close in one.
Presenting for the first time on any stage the new comedy-dramatic sketch “KIT.” Notwithstanding extreme nervousness on the part of Miss Spong and her support both the playette and the players scored a tremendous hit. The sketch gives Miss Spong abundant opportunity for the display of her talent both as a comedienne and as an emotional actress. The large audience followed the lines with the closest interest, and notwithstanding it was a “rube” audience, drawn here by the state fair, Miss Spong and company was accorded three curtain calls which is quite a number for sketch in this theater. 18 min. FS.
