Imperials

Johnnie Dove made only a passable "straight" man in the pieces, but as the Scotchman in the olio sketch of Dove and Lee, he was a tremendous success. In the same way the Sisters Beardsley, while giving a very agreeable character singing turn in the olio, made rather quiet principals in the pieces. Sim Williams works only in the burlesque. Charles H. Mackie is the top name in the cast, but, aside from Williams, Harry L. Cooper is the principal comedian. Jack Gruet comes into real prominence as a down-at-the-heels actor, and Al Gruet plays a "hick" property man nicely enough. Minnie Lee is the sole soubrette, having three or four numbers in the first part beside her olio turn with Dove. Ida Walling, who fills the place of prima donna and principal boy, wore tights once for a military number, but looked much better in skirts. Gruet and Gruet, with their familiar blackface comedy turn, filled in an entertaining quarter of an hour and a series of living pictures, very well handled, held the audience. Johnny Dove and Minnie Lee (New Acts) easily scored th* hit of the olio and Charles H. Mackie and Co., closed the vaudeville part with a dramatic sketch

H. W. and Sim Williams have turned out a first-class burlesque entertainment in the "Imperials." The test of the show's merit is that last Saturday evening Miner's Bowery Theatre played to a capacity audience, although "Follies of the Day," one of the best drawing shows of the Western Wheel, was in opposition just up the street at the London.

Variety 13:7(01/23/1909)