CDF, 23 min, 2 show. Two men in magic exposing act, the exposing being done by Max Millian – the comedian of the two; well known on the circuit as a good act; they have a cage act trick and a disappearance trick both new to me, though they may have done them at other houses; both tricks add considerable to the act. Martini seems to have improved in his talk and performance of the tricks and Max Millian’s exposition of the tricks was greeted with roars of laughter by a very easy audience. I think they would go just as well with any other audience we might have here.
In one, 15 min, 3 shows. Four local colored singers who were found here at a Pen and Pencil Club entertainment. They are working for me for $80, and give excellent value for that money. They are much better singers than the Female Drummer Quartette, make a better appearance, and sign a better quality of songs. They went very well here and I would advise booking them at their travelling price, $100 whenever an act of that sort is needed.
Wood 3, 8 min, 3 shows. Aerial gymnast on a single trapeze with ladder on which he does his suspensial [sic] walk across the stage as part of act. His gymnastic work is up to the quality of the best of them on the single bar. He is a little bit attenuated in the limbs and does not make a very excellent appearance, but after he gets to work that fact seems to be overlooked and he got good applause on everything he did; he is good three a day act for any of the houses.
CDF, 17 min, 3 shows. Comedy sketch; man and woman; woman well dressed according to the vaudeville artist’s idea; man in Irish makeup. A good long bunch of gags made familiar to us years ago by every Irish comedian that came along. Cole tells them fairly well and gets away with it here. I do not advocate the booking of the act in any other of the big houses, though they would do for a small act in Pawtucket and possibly Salem; would scarcely advice Portland considering what Moore wants up there.
In one, 15 min. Blackface song and dance; one in neat, other in comedy makeup; these boys are local, and haven’t played around much; they had a crowd of friends in front. They have a bunch of talk that belongs to the old Van Lear and Barton act, which is not much good and doesn’t do much harm, but they could get along without it as both the boys are fairly clever dancers. I would advise the booking of the act in the other houses for an early place on the bill as they are ready to work cheap, and there is nothing offensive in their act.
18 min, 2 shows. Hebrew comedians in the act that they have played over the circuit; they did very well although one subject is spun out a little bit further than it ought to be. If I had a little bit longer show I would make them get it together. However, they were a hot all right and help up their place in real good shape.
10 girls costumed in some cast offs from some extravaganza or something; costumes did not belong neither did the girls. The act was recommended by Jo Paige Smith after having seen a rehearsal of it. The girls can neither sing nor dance and they don’t look at all well in the costumes. I have given it a second trial but I feel pretty confident they will have to kiss themselves good-bye this evening. I may keep them in a very early place in the bill if Hyams’ will accept a nominal figure for them. 2 shows, garden 4, 9 min.
Street in one, 16 min, 2 shows. Irish comedian on the JW Kelly order but, of course, a long way behind Kelly though somewhat reminiscent of him. His stories are well told and they got plenty of laughs throughout the act. Can be rated as all right for here though I was very confident of him after the way I saw his fall down at the Union Square the last time I saw him.
CDF, 20 min, 2 shows. Can close one. This act was the comedy hit of the bill, young Fitzgibbon having improved very considerably since I saw him last. There is a lot of slap stick and squirt gun comedy in the act but it proves inoffensive and mad our audience laugh heartily. I call it a good act for any of the houses.
Garden 3, 13 min, 3 shows. Comedy club juggling act, 3 men, two rubes, one in tennis makeup. Rube make up is all right and good scouring will help the tennis suit to look the part. Their club work is very clever but the feature of the act, which ought to go much better than it does and could be developed into quite a strong part of the act, is the hat throwing. The act did fairly well here though the work of the men deserve better than it got. Played the circuit, I think, and I would call it all right for any of the houses.
