In their familiar sketch ‘Quo Vadis Upside Down’ which has been played here and over the circuit several times and which has lost none of its humor provoking qualities as evidenced by the many laughs gained this afternoon and the frequent interruptions of applause and strong applause at close. There is no doubt that it is as good as any of the previous visits here.
In ‘A Lesson in Shakespeare’ CDF, 22 min, 3 shows. A pair of clever men, and working blackface, the other white, and a lady with pleasing voice and considerable ability, presenting a sketch laden with plenty of humor. The comedy efforts of the blackfaced member of the troupe won very much applause and carried them through to strong finish. The vocal efforts of the troupe are better than those of the usual order, and the act is a very acceptable in this place.
Drapery in one, 12 min, 2 shows. Lady who opens her little session with a vocal effort, and while not possessing a great singing voice by her strenuous efforts made it tell from the opening. The same strenuous tone marks almost every portion of her work, and shifting into a monologue and later into a German dislect [sic] effort she earned many good laughs and her share of applause. But her burlesque portrayal of Marie Antoinette fall rather flat, and she did not finish as strong as the early applause in her act seemed to warrant. She is, however, all right in this place.
In ‘Arrival of Aunt Bedelia’ CDF, 22 min, 3 shows. Two women, one working straight, the other comedy make up, in a sketch written especially for the pleasure and interest of Irish patrons and without any motive whatever. The evident intention is to display the vocal abilities of the two ladies, and they sang a goodly number of songs to fair applause, winding up with a good song which carried them off to very good applause.
Drop in one, 9 min, 3 shows. Monologist in a comedy make up. While posing as a monologist, Hoey devoted most of his time to-day to the singing of parodies written to familiar tunes, which he did acceptably to our audience. The little talk given by him went well despite the fact he told old stories, but told them in good shape. His dance at the finish carried him off to a very good applause, and he is easily good enough to hold down this position. He is evidently a man of no mean ability and who will, if clever stuff is written for him or by himself, undoubtedly make good in a batter place.
Open 2, close full stage; 20 min; 2 shows. Well known to the circuit, but I see some improvement in the act since the last time it played around, except in the leaping section where either through his own help or our own stage hands on the act get a little bit mixed up and did not finish with the hurrah. All this will be remedied in the night show, and I lack for a more compact act and better results.
Two men and two women; CDF, 27 min; 2 shows. Did a sketch ‘Fix in a fix.’ The sketch is too long and too talky and dragged very considerably; this audience did not seem to care much for it, and they barely got their curtain call; there is a new girl in the act, a little bit better than the one with which the played the other houses.
CDF, 23 min, 2 shows. Two members of last year’s stock company in their sketch ‘Strictly Business,’ Nicander playing the part of young German lawyer and Miss Ingram doing two changed from the young lady of the house to and English slavey [sic] and from that to a young man in an evening dress. While the sketch itself has not a very great deal of value, these people handle it enthusiastically and made every point count. It is an especially valuable act valuable act least to us. They got a strong reception at opening and a very good recall at finish.
Wood 4, 5 min, 2 shows. The trick bicyclist. This act played the circuit and, from reports, went well all around, but the reports would have been more enthusiastic, I think, if he had gone as well in the other houses as he did in this house to-day. There was a continual round of applause with plenty of laughter while he was on, and he got away with nearly every trick to-day without any falls, and was applauded very enthusiastically at the finish.
In one, 9 min, 3 shows. Girl banjoist. The audience apparently thought she did very good banjo work for she held up her place on the bill following Martini & Max Millian making good with three numbers. She plays the wire string banjo with a pick; and she finished the act with a good round of applause, each selection being applauded also.
