European Whirlwind Dancers. One man and four girls in one of the fastest acrobatic dancing acts I have ever seen. One of the girls is a little heavy in her movements, and, in consequence, her work is rather clumsy. The rest of the act is so fast that this defect almost gets by unnoticed. Act is prettily costumed but the underdressing is a conglomerate riot of color that should be changed. Act made a big hit with today’s audience. Own set in 4. Time 12 min.
In “The Defaulter.” Robards was our heavy man during the summer stock season. At his entrance this afternoon he received a round of applause that seemed to last a full minute. “The Defaulter” is a dramatic sketch by Dudley Clements, the scene being laid in a bank. The cashier of the bank is a defaulter and is in the bank late at night attempting to cover up his defalcations. Finding it impossible to do so he enters the vault and shoots himself. A moment later a burglar enters the bank and discovers the suicide, whom he recognises as a boyhood acquaintance. In an attempt to make it appear that the cashier has been murdered and the bank looted, the burglar starts in to wreck the office and destroy the books. A plain-clothes man has seen him enter the bank and as the burglar attempts to escape he is shot. Both characters are played by Mr. Robards, an exceedingly quick change being made from the cashier to the burglar. The story is gripping and Mr. Robards gives a masterly performance of both characters. The act should prove a strong dramatic feature of any bill but should be surrounded on both sides with sure-fire comedy. Five curtain calls were awarded at the finish of the act. Own set in 3. Time 15 min.
Parody Singer. Dugan is now working in blackface. Personally I liked his messenger boy act better than his present offering. His material is rather old but the audience seemed to take to it in good shape and he got a great many laughs throughout the act and had to come back for another parody at the finish. It is distinctively a small time act for an early spot on the bill. Street in 1. Time 15 min.
With Pauline Perry & Co. 9 people. A new girl novelty with an original book, lyrics and music and featuring Pauline Perry, late prima-donna in “The Merry Widow” and “The Climax.” Act in its present form is just a little slow and one of the girls should be changed. The originality of the act and the splendid singing of Miss Perry should make the act a novelty on any bill after it has been smoothed out a little. The musical numbers went over in good shape today and act took three curtain calls. By the end of the week the act should be in splendid shape. Own set in 3. Time 27 min.
“The English Boy and the Yankee Girl.” This act has been playing the smaller time and has been making good. They have a singing and talking act that is just a little different than the others and they got by in this spot in good shape. The bathing number finish got a number of good laughs and took the team off to a round of applause. Not a pretentious act but just a pleasing offering for this spot. Olio drop in 1. Time 12 min.
“A Gymnastic Display without an Equal.” Billing may be a little exaggerated but there is no question of this man and woman presenting an opening act that would satisfy any audience in the country. The woman, in her lifting on the rings, is particularly good, while the dislocation work of the man is interesting. Act received good applause all the way through. Garden in 3. Time 8 min.
“The Inebriated Swell on the Wire.” Never having seen Robledillo I cannot draw comparisons. Maximo is a clean cut looking young chap who works fast on the slack wire and gets some good comedy. Would really make a better opening act than in his present spot but managed to close the show in good shape and held the audience. Garden in 4. Time 9 min.
Singing comedians. One man working straight, the other as a German. Act is rather old-fashioned and would have gone much better earlier in the bill if I had a spot where they could be fitted in. At that, following the big laughing hit of the Cafe del Bowery they got their songs and pater over in good shape and were most acceptable to the audience. Street in 1. Time 18 min.
In “He Tried to be Nice.” This was the first performance of the sketch and both Abeles and his wife were rather nervous. The story is interesting and deals with a man who reads an article in the morning paper on “how to be happy though married” and determines to put some of the suggestions into practice. He sends for flowers, silk stockings and candy for his wife and is so terrible polite at breakfast that she suspects that he has committed an offence of some sort and is taking this method of squaring himself. In its present form the act is altogether too long and should be cut way down. When this is done Abeles will have a comedy sketch that should be a feature on an bill. C.D.Fcy in 3. Time 28 min.
To avoid argument with Mrs. DeHaven managers are cautioned to feature Gibson as strongly a the Sextette. Unfortunately I did not receive the billing until late and got Gibson’s name as Shields. Hence, several unpleasant interviews with the lady who owns the act. I consider this act the best Mrs. DeHaven has ever put over in vaudeville and the act will be a big feature novelty of any program. The girls are gingery in their work, look well and are dressed better than any girl act in the business. Usually “girl” acts look well but that is about all. This one delivers the good and I would be glad to play any more than can halfway approach this one. Gibson is a good light comedian and his singing and dancing are features in themselves. Own cut drop, with house garden backing, full stage. 22 min. close in 1, 6 min.
