This is Mr. Wood’s third appearance here and he is giving us exactly the same act in every detail as to songs, music, dancing, facial grimaces, bodily actions, etc. that he did on each of his two previous visits. For this he gets an increased salary. While he received considerable applause I noticed that a very large percentage of the audience was decidedly bored by him. Unless he can make material changes in his act for another season, I would rather see him on my oppositions bill. 10 minutes in one.
This man deserves credit for being able to present a trained pony act in such a novel manner. The act almost takes on the appearance of a sketch, Most attractive for children and made good with the grown-ups as well. He ought to be a great object lesson to some of the other animal trainers who say that there is nothing new possible to be done with trained ponies. 16 minutes full stage.
In “The Lincoln Highwayman.” An excellent sketch very well played by Mr. Dickey, Miss Plummer and one of the members of his company, the other two being the chauffeur and the stage carpenter. The sketch went over in strong shape and possibly there is no fault to find, but the fact remains that we are not getting what I saw in New York. In New York, Mr. Dickey had a special set also a little taxicab limousine on the stage, neither of which was brought here. He simply asked to have one of our house sets with the back turned to the audience which, to my mind, would be rediculous [sic]. Fortunately, I had a scenic artist here and we rushed something through that made it look like a special set. I believe this question should be taken up with Mr. Dickey before he gets much further. 32 minutes full stage.
Miss Browning does character songs of a comedy nature. Mr. Denny assists at the piano and otherwise. Miss Browning is one of the best singing comediennes we have had in years. Her work is all of a broad comedy nature and secured many laughs and they left the stage with the audience clamoring for more. 21 minutes in one.
Two monkeys, who work somewhat after the style of Consul and other chimpanzees and which is unquestionably a good act, altho [sic] a little slow. When one compares them to Consul and Peter, naturally they suffer through the comparison, but we are not paying any such money as we paid the more celebrated monkeys and in some way there is an element of comedy in this act that we didn’t get in the others. I see no reason why the act shouldn’t be considered of reasonable value at the salary paid. 18 Min. F.S.
While there are no Carusos or Scottis in this organization, the fact remain that they sing a great deal better than people expect them to, and their bits of comedy at the finish of the act got over in great shape. I am also satisfied that they are responsible for a large part of the business that we have up to now and for considerable of our advance sale. 13 Min. in One.
In a semi-serious one-act play entitled “His Nerve,” which held this spot with entire satisfaction. 22 Min. F.S.
A favorite singing comedienne in Providence, who gets more applause from our audience than Eva Tanguay, Alice Lloyd and all the others combined. 14 Min. in One.
This is the first American vaudeville presentation of this feature. There are 10 men, playing upon instruments somewhat similar to the mandolin and guita [sic] but without the metallic tones produced by the latter instruments. From a musical standpoint, the act is unquestionably artistic and pleasing. Our downstairs portion of the audience gave plenty of spontaneous applause as did a large percentage of the upstairs patrons. While it cannot help but please in the main, I am rather skeptical of its general success in vaudeville, at least, for the amount of money that would have to be paid to them in order to carry 10 men around the country. At the price I am paying them this week, there is no question but what I am getting full value. There are good advertising possibilities because they gave a concert tour of the country with good artistic results, receiving splendid newspaper notices everywhere. It would interest performers upon the mandolin and guitar, as well as instructors, the glee clubs of the colleges and people of that nature, and in some cities I am sure it could be made a feature, I question whether it would be a success everywhere. 17 Min. in Two.
In a vaudeville skit that gained plenty of laughter and applause. Some of the dialogue I found to be rather blue, but they eliminated it after the first performance with no detriment to the act. 25 Min. Open F.S. Close with about 5 Min. in One.