Novelty singing and dancing act. This act was something of a disappointment. The people have very little ability either in singing or dancing and the only commendable feature of the act is the novel manner in which one of their songs is presented. They open in rather swell evening dress and do a song and dance specialty of the common order. They got to full stage using their own set a rather pretty one representing a song in the jungle. They appear as the Zulus in blackface make-up and costumes to match. 15 min. about one-half in one, 2 shows.
I am under the impression that this man has added considerable new material since playing in the other houses on our circuit. I judge this in view of the great quantity of jokes which he is applying to the election and the Russian-Japanese War and also that he is doing 18 min. as against 12 in the other houses. A great deal of his stuff is very timely and I believe will go strong with any audience. 18 min. in one, 2 shows.
Banjoists. Very pleasing little act. Their rendition of the Zampa Overture was about the best ever given by any banjoists that we have had. Pleased our audiences very much and were heartily encored. 18 min. in one, 3 shows.
The man in this act does some very good contortions work and some novelties in the way of acrobatic dancing. The sketch amounts to little and the woman is excess baggage. The clever work of the man, however, makes it an exceptionally good three a day act. 15 minutes in 3.
This is one of the best dog acts in the business from the standpoint of ‘straight’ work but there are as many novelty acts coming into the business the old fashioned dog act is not cared so much for and I think this salary is $25.00 more than it should be also. 12 min. full stage, 2 shows.
Singing and dancing comedy sketch. Personally I like this act very much but it made no great hit with the audience and they closed to only fair applause. From the standpoint of ‘salary’ should say they were only fair judging from the way the audience accepted it. 19 min. full stage, 2 shows.
Ventriloquist. This man has some pretty good stuff and pleased the audience who were evidently waiting for something to happen after the first two acts. Very good from a 3 a day standpoint. 20 min. open in 3, close in one, 3 shows.
These people got a big hand on their opening and went very strong at the finish but didn’t get as much applause as they have heretofore on the various selections. The house didn’t indicate either that they were drawing as well as before. It may be a little bit early in the week to judge but I am afraid that the novelty has worn off from this act and it lacks the drawing power of previous years; but that will be better told at the end of the week. 40 min. full stage.
Couple of men doing an act with imitations of ‘Blocksom & Burns’ and ‘Collins & Hart.’ It is all right for the three a day section but that is about as much as can be said for them. They lack finish. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows.
Singing and instrumental act, the instrumental work being the feature of their specialty. The act is beautifully staged and shows the head of a first class stage manager in securing atmosphere in its presentation. This goes a long was to make the act what it is. Regarding the instrumental work we have had other acts here that are considerably superior, notably The Six Cuttys, and the Willis Family, however it is a decided novelty and thoroughly all right and made good today and I am quite sure will the rest of the week. 27 min. closing with about 5 min. in one, 2 shows.
