The men enter in checked business suits, remove the jackets and go into a fast routine of familiar ground tumbling. Working fast and hard, however, brought them considerable in the way of applause. An announced feat was a back somersault by one of the men, in which he lands on his head with a loud thump after describing a medium sized parabola. It is a fool hardy stunt and its very foolhardiness earns it the approval it did.
The quintet, two men and three women, open in “four,” singing what probably is a native Russian folk song, accompanying themselves on string instruments. The balance of the routine is a cycle of ‘hock”‘ dancing, most of it seen before, with a few new steps, well executed. One of the women is also something of a toe dancer. The two men do a double solo that won considerable and all told the act might fit in neatly on some big-time bills. It’s a corking act of its kind.
Double dance with kicking pre-dominating, piano solo by accompanist while girls are changing, another double by girls, pianist fills in again and girls back with another costume change. The third number has the girls in Oriental garb, with a pleasing double dance holding a suggestion of Egyptian dancing. More ivory tickling, followed by more double-stepping by girls clad in becoming Jetted affair and transparent black lace pantelletes. Pianist is good musician and strong on appearance, but should drop habit of beating time on pedal. Pretty solid blue cyclorama set makes effective background. Act registered at 23d street. Class turn for pop houses, with excellent possibilities for early section of big time shows.
10 Mins.
Man and woman in routine of ground tumbling, hand to hand and head balancing, Following sounds of an argument off stage, woman enters and announces partner won’t appear, but she will go ahead with act., etc. . Partner walks on and pair go into acrobatic routine. Woman is understander, displaying unusual strength in lifts and balancing of partner.
10 Mins.; Full Stage
Mr. Russell, who has apparently been concealed at top of upper trapeze, a border hiding him from view of audience, is suddenly disclosed sitting on bar of upper trapeze. This constitutes novel and effective entrance. Routine of real thrillers in way of flying stunts by Mr. Russell follows. Woman contributes bit of stepping that fills in nicely, making costume change from dress to knickers. Closing trick has man hanging head downward from top trapeze, lower one having been removed, and holding contrivance by means of strap around neck, in which woman does upside down dance, making dance taps on wooden flooring of arrangement. Mr. Russell, in addition to being a daring aerialist, cutting all of the simpler tricks and performing the most difficult ones with speed and showmanship, adds value to the act through his neat appearance in white shirt and black trousers.
8 Mins.; One.
Lizzie Wilson is an entertainer of the old school, doing a routine of Jewish stories and comic songs. She has some material not so new, but it seems to please the 23rd street people, The act is for the lesser houses.
Two misses offering selections upon a piano, violin and banjo, with a song inserted, had quite a task in winning small returns. Neither seemed to be over proficient In playing their particular instruments, though the girl with the violin could develop something and promises to do so.
18 Mins. Two (Special).
This mixed duo make their appearance from an insert in the special “drop” to deliver a lyric on the different characters in the kid story books. After which the boy takes his place at the piano to accompany his partner while she completes a duo of imitations that get by on the strength of the lyrics rather than her ability to impersonate. Francis White and Fannie Brice were the two subjects undertaken and both were handled badly…
12 Mins.; One (special).
Much “hokum” with paint brushes dipped in prop paste and slapped all over each other by two men working in blackface. The incidental conversation carried on was neither particularly bright and did not contain many laughs. It was left entirely to the haphazard maneuvering of the “suds” to push the act over. It’s low comedy all the way with the house immensely enjoying the messing up of the pair, though backward in demonstrating their approval at the end of the 2 minutes.
18 Mins.; Full Stage (Special).
The method employed by Richard loan to introduce Impersonations of celebrated actors bears a strong resemblance to that used by Thomas B. Shea in a similar type of act. A man seated at a table takes up a photograph of Richard Mansfield at the opening of the Kean act and speaks a few lines, recalling Richard Mansfield’s portrayal of “Shylock” in “The Merchant of Venice.” Mr. Kean is on following (—–) as, “Shylock” and delivering a speech from “The Merchant.” An Impersonation of John Barrymore playing the dual characters of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is next, following the “co” again picking up another photo and mentioning Mr. Barrymore.
