“A Close Call.” This act also uses a scrim drop showing the interior of a dressing room of a theatre where Gardner blacks up, comes down into 1 for his familiat [sic] specialty and then returns to dressing room and washes up. Story of sketch is of a woman who has fallen in love with Gardner and is waiting in his dressing room to go out with him after the show. His wife unexpectedly arrives and he gets rid of his first visitor in a rather amusing manner. Act a trifle slow at the start, warms up with some good laughs in the middle and lets down at the finish. Gardner is working on a new finish which he expects to have ready before the week is over. Special set in 3. Time 24 min.
“The Black-face Girl.” Makes up as an octoroon, sings three songs and sandwiches in a little talk. Went only fair this afternoon. Street in 1. Time 14 min.
“The Music Publisher.” Man and woman in a musical act with some little talk that gets over nicely. Work with a scrim drop in 1, showing a music publishing store elevated above the street, requiring space in 2 for 7 ft. high platforms. Man does some clever trick piano work, closing with a burlesque imitation of Paderewski with the woman playing a French horn. Act went very well this afternoon and took several curtains at the finish. Act in 2. Time 15 min.
A quiet little opening act that will do nicely on the smaller time. Cora is an intelligence fox-terrier who selects numbers called for by the audience, exposes sleight of hand tricks and does other “cute” stunts that are very pleasing to the feminine portion of the audience. Not as good an opening act as we usually have. Olio drop in 1. Time 17 min.
A military spectacle in three scenes, the action being laid in the Philippines. The act is somewhat on the order of the Boys in Blue though not as spectacular as the latter. It got over here in good shape and made a most acceptable closing act on one the best programs of the season.
Composers, comedians and singers. The unquestioned hit of the show this afternoon from the standpoint of applause. Of the numerous acts of this kind I have seen this one compares favorably with any and is just a little different than the rest. They have a good line of patter between their songs and it seemed as though today’s audience could not get enough of the singing. Was obliged to cut some of their songs (a new one just written) dealing with the troubles of an old man who has married a young woman. The latter discovers that her husband is not as useful as he once was and wants a divorce. A bully song for Lucy Weston, Daisy Harcourt and others of that type but not for Union Hill. Street in 1, time 29 min.
“Double Troubles.” Another of the mistaken identity sketches that proved a big hit today. The two brothers are tins and look exactly alike. Act is full of ludicrous situations and should prove a big laughing hit anywhere. Parlor in 3. Time 16 min.
Vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers. A brother and his four sisters in a pretty act. They dress becomingly in Highland costume and present a pleasing appearance from the front. Their instrumental selections got over in good shape and their dance won a big round of applause for them. Fcy in 3. Time 13 min. Can close in 1, 5 min.
“Before and After.” Neat appearing young man and a very pretty young woman in one of the best singing acts we have played this season. This act, I am certain, will prove a sure fire hit on any bill and could go much further down on the bill and make good. Not only is the act classy but their comedy finish is good for a number of good laughs that takes them off to a great round of applause. Olio drop in 1. Time 14 min.
Soap bubble manipulators. A very novel opening act and one which will create more or less talk. Act opens with a song by the woman and then she and Handy engage in some cross-fire talk which gets over fairly well. The feature of the act lies in their soap-bubble blowing, juggling the bubbles, cutting them in two, joining them together again and playing a game of billiards, using the bubbles for billiard balls. Fcy in 3. Time 17 min.
