A lot of very good motion pictures, very effective scenery, a big flash in the way of costumes and a lot of “give me your kind applause,” but very little of merit or intrinsic value in the act. There is no good singing, no good music, or anything that one could go out and say was well performed. To be worth the money that they are asking, the act should be entirely reconstructed. 32 minutes. Full stage.
Very interesting playlet with a very good moral but does not contain the comedy that I expected from what I have been told. There are no particularly big laughs, and the greater part of the sketch is treated very seriously by the actors. If it was played in a more farcical style, I think the result would be better for vaudeville. 20 minutes full stage.
Two men in an eccentric dancing specialty who are quite clever, but the work is very quiet and following the quietness of the preceding act did not go as well as it seems it ought to have. 7 minutes in one.
Two boys with some comedy talk and some very good acrobatic work. The talk is fair; the acrobatic work, very good, and they finish with two tricks that are so startling and unexpected that they pull the audience right out of their seats. The tricks are: One man hangs head downward, the other fellow standing under him, turns a half somersault and is caught by the feet by the other man. In the second, the man hangs feet downward, the other one turns a half somersault and they are caught feet to feet. This does not seem wonderful in the same description, but in the action, it is the most startling thing I ever saw. If they did only these two things the act would be worth playing.
Spanish dancer and performer upon the Castanets. A most attractive woman who gives an especially fine performance, but unfortunately, Providence does not seem to appreciate that sort of work. We are trying to force her with extra advertising, and may get results in that way. But in any city where this sort of thing is appreciated, I consider her a very big card. 12 minutes full stage.
In a sketch by May Tully called “Mary’s Ankle.” The principal value to us in this act is the fact that Mr. Overman was one of the leading men of the Albee Stock Company, and of course, is strong for that reason. However, it is a good sketch, well played as a whole, but to take it off and make it into a three act play, as is contemplated, is sheer folly in my mind, as the thing is not sufficiently original nor has it enough body to go as a three act play. If it continues in vaudeville, they should be made to discontinue carrying the set they are now using. It is very poor looking affair and very cumbersome. Because of it they must carry an extra man, and this brings the price to the theatres up $75.00 which might be saved as easily as not. We can give them much better sets in any of our houses. 26 minutes. Full stage.
Miss Bonconi scored the biggest hit of any similar act we have ever played. She is an excellent violinist who played semi-classical music entirely, but of a kind that is enjoyed by all. I never saw an audience held so quietly since I have been in the business. She has a most charming personality also, and no one can make a mistake in playing this act and featuring it. She makes good with the musical people and pleases the others as well. 18 minutes in one.
Mr. Norcross is the famous old minstrel interlocutor and bass singer. He was put on the bill principally because of the fact that he is the oldest living Elk, and I figured correctly that he would draw some business. A very large Elk party has been arranged for him for one night this week. The act gets by, and with a little reconstruction will be thoroughly all right in an early spot. Any house that can see the value of the advertising and the draft because of the Elks et cetera would do well to play him. He works with a lady presenting a little skit introducing some songs, the lady singing a song in three voices. 22 minutes full stage.
Mr. Haskell was a very agreeable surprise. He held the stage for 20 minutes satisfactorily, and there was very little of an objectionable nature in his monologue, and none of that was serious. He does a much better act than many others getting more money and playing right along. 20 minutes in one.
I was given to understand that Mr. Wilson was a very funny comedian and got a great many laughs in his act. For the benefit of those who will play him later, I want to say that Mr. Wilson does a very good act indeed, but it is not a laughing one, although there are some laughs in it. Neither is he quite strong enough for his position here on this bill. He belongs about two pegs higher. No one need fear to play him, the only ting to do is to play him under right conditions. 16 minutes in one.
