Volant

The idea for the act was most likely suggested by "Onaip," though the two turns are dissimilar.

The feature of Volant's playing is that he plays the piano while it is rapidly whirled about in mid-air. He opens the act with a solo with two hands before performing one with only the left hand. He and his piano move to full stage. Attached to it are three electrically lighted cables, one at each corner of the baby grand. The player is seated on a seat slid into a crochet beneath the keyboard. As he plays the piano is drawn up into the flies, then lowered, swung from side to side (the width of the stage), and revolves the other way to undo the tangle. This is repeated when the instrument almost touches the stage.

The act seemed to please the Columbia audience. Volant was moved to the closing position for the night performance, indicating the impression made at the matinee.

There is some comedy from seeing Volant continually playing when whirled or swung. The act could possibly show in the big houses, in an early position. By cutting the act down a few minutes by removing the first solo and working the piano in the air more quickly, the turn should get more out of it.

Variety 25:1 (12/09/1911)