Theater: Bijou

With the exception of some good vocal work by the Trio, an excellent bass solo by Mr. Beaudry, and a creditable dance by Miss Elgin, a very ordinary performance is this final offering of Homan’s Musical Revue. There seems to be a big following here for Mr. Gene Beaudry, who is truly an excellent bass soloist. This town is largely French and the French, as everyone knows, are very clannish; Mr. Beaudry, himself of French extraction, is looked upon here as a little idol. This fact would account in no small measure for the business done; Then again, the fact of 15 people for 10cents, they are getting much for their money; They notice the strength of the company numerically, more than artistically. And the pictures during the last two weeks have been exceptionally good and thanks to Mr. Reddy some of the three-reel features haveelicited [sic] volumes of praise from many of our patrons.

It is as I predicted a week ago; They are about used up formaterial [sic], and some of yesterdays song number were very ancient. Their attempts at comedy were absolutely puerile. To be sure, there were a few creditable moments in the production, but they were decidedly in the minority, and if they can show anything worthwhile for the last half of the week it will greatly surprise me. After telling them yesterday to be prompt in starting the show, we were obliged to hold the curtain for them for four minutes. Last night two of the men of the company were in a state of intoxication, and started a fight downstairs in the dressing-room. I was upstairs in my office preparing advertising and billing for Thursday’s show, when I was informed by one of the stage men of the trouble. I immediately went down and there they were, mixed up in a regular melee, some of the women took a hand in it, and the fracas was at its height when the lady in charge of the company summoned an officer to have the objectionable men removed; by the time the officer arrived things had quieted and he was told his services were not required. Luckily all this was not known to the audience, and I was very glad therefore, as it would certainly hurt our prestige here if the “wagon” had been called to remove drunken members of the company. In compliance with my demands the offending members were discharged from the company. This will give you some idea of a portion of Homan’s Musical Revue Company. Even with the advent of a lady to take charge of the company they apparently they [sic] intend to do as they please. As far as I can ascertain the salaries are considerably in arrears, and this perhaps is the reason for their attitude of almost arrogant independence.