In a sketch called ‘The Prize Biscuit.’ Miss Radcliffe is the wife of Malcolm Williams who has been the leading man of the Stock company here for three seasons past, and there was naturally a great deal of curiosity to see her work as she had never played in this theatre. The big house this afternoon and the advance sale demonstrates that no mistake was made in booking her. I should certainly advise Philadelphia to play her a week at the Bijou, if not the other houses, and by working on Malcolm Williams reputation think she will draw more than her salary. The sketch is as good as the average little plays of that kind that we get. I prefer it to anything that Lillian Burkhart has ever given us, and considering it is its first presentation it went remarkably good. Mr. Wiegel does a capital bit of work as the English Baron who attempts to make biscuits in the kitchen; and after being played a few times I believe the sketch shall be quite strong. I will report on it again later in the week. 24 min, in three, 2 shows.
I wish to add to my report of yesterday, further criticism of Miss Minnie Radcliffe’s (Mrs. Malcolm Williams) act, as judged by the audience and opinion of some of the people whom I have met. I should hardly advise it for the circuit, but I think that it would get some money at the Bijou in Philadelphia, in view of Malcolm Williams’ reputation there and billing the lady as Mrs. Malcolm Williams, as we have done very strongly here. It is not a bad act in any sense, but it is hardly worth the money which they would probably want to get out of it, except in the specific case of Philadelphia and Providence.
This act opens very tamely indeed and to my mind is being overpaid. In these days when the standard set for high grade musical acts include real musical artists, men like Smith cannot keep pace. The act is saved by the Harp’s playing and singing which goes extremely well and their Bells with which they conclude their act. 22 min, open in three close in 1.
Colored soprano. Like most of these people when they attempt classical singing, she falls decidedly short. Seems beyond the Negro Race to do this. Her voice is metallic and screechy and her make-up decidedly bad as she powders up considerably in order to disguise the fact that she is a Negro, but I shall endeavor to have her discontinue. 9 min, in one, 3 shows.
Comedy sketch in which the woman does a lot of fast talking. The act goes pretty well but creates no great amount of hilarity, and personally I can’t see how they came to be one of the two a day section. They may go stronger in other theatres, however. 20 min, opening and closing in one, 2 shows.
Songs and stories. Singing is the feature of the act although the stories told in a quiet modest manner pleased the audience considerably. The act resembles somewhat that of Billy Gould although I hardly think it up to the standard of the latter; although at the salary paid it is thoroughly all right. 17 min, in obe, 2 shows.
In a sketch call ‘Strictly Business’ introducing changes by Miss Ingram, including an English slavey and a chappie about town. That they were worth all I paid them was demonstrated by the big house this afternoon and the largest advance sale of season in spite of the fact that we are so near Christmas. In Philadelphia they should be relied upon in both houses to draw big business, if properly brought to the attention of the public. As the merit of the act goes it is fully as good, if not better, than the average act to which we pay the same money. 23 min, 2 shows, full stage.
Musical act. These people are very clever Xylophone players, and revolving disks with metal tubes affixed being the feature of their act. There seems to be a something lacking to it, however which really should place the act in a three a day class although it would be especially good from that standpoint. From a two a day standpoint can be only classed as fairly good. 13 min, closing in one.
Man and women in a singing, dancing and talking act. Their dancing in especially good but their general personality is coarse. If they were to work the act from a rough standpoint and make more of a character act of it, rather than attempt the gentile (which they can do) the act would be much better. As it is it is acceptable as a three a day act and better than the average. 17 min, in one, 3 shows.
This is a very nice little dog act and is enhanced by the fact that the man seems to give them no orders whatever, in fact he is off the stage during a good deal of their work. The dogs however seem to be somewhat afraid of their Master and that detracts from the value of the act. It is all right at the salary and three a day. 13 min, full stage.
In their regular sketch, a little Christmas story, which is a very tame offering indeed. It is supposed to be a little comedy with a plot and there is really some foundation for a sketch there, but both the author and the actors fall short. 20 min, 3 shows, full stage, can close in one.
