Two men in a comedy bicycle act, one of them made up straight and the other as a Hebrew. These people do a clever act, as they have always done, and the comedian’s methods are entirely original; besides which he introduces some really remarkable feats on the wheel. It is a good strong act. 11 minutes, full stage.
I consider this one of the best pickanniny acts in the country. She has four little “coons”, two made up as boys and two as girls. They are all good singers and dancers and the act is full of life from start to finish. 14 minutes in one.
In their old act “The Counsel for the Defense.” Somehow it seemed to me that the act did not go as strong this afternoon, though it may have been occasioned by the wilted condition of the audience. There is no question that it is a good act with a strong heart interest and is always acceptable on almost any bill. 32 minutes, full stage.
Two young girls in a song and dance act. They are quite lively, very good dancers, make a modest appearance, and sing as well as any performer who tries to dance, as dancing invariably ruins any voice. This act is a good three-show-a-day turn. 10 minutes in one.
Irish comedian and vocalist. He appears without any makeup at all, and does two or three very good songs and tells half a dozen “gags”, some of them old, and some of them new. I think if it had not been for the intense heat this afternoon, he would have made quite a good impression; as it was, he got around all right and can be considered a fair act from the three-show-a-day standpoint. 11 minutes in one.
A man and a young woman in a German comedy sketch in which the man plays the burglar. It is probably about as old an act as there is in vaudeville, but somehow it always seems to go fairly well, and this afternoon was no exception to the rule. 19 minutes, full stage.
A young girl who does a couple of songs and finishes with some toe dancing. The act does not amount to very much, but it got quite a little bit of applause (especially the toe dance) and, while it would not do for the circuit at all, with the thermometer in the 80’s it is all right for an opener, in New York at least. 7 minutes, open full stage, and close in one.
Two men in a musical comedy act. The music of this act is all right; in fact, they are very good musicians indeed. They play in tune and their execution is all right. The comedy, as in acts of this kind usually, does not amount to much. There is nothing about it that will offend, and the act can be classed as all right. 12 minutes, open full stage and close in one.
Black faced comedians in a new act which they call “Dr. Lorenzobreakabones.” It is a conglomeration of two or three old negro acts, but put together in the inimitable style in which these two artists always present everything. I think it is about the strongest act they have ever given us. At any rate, I have been watching these people for the last fifteen years, and I never heard an audience laugh heartier than they did this afternoon. 32 minutes, full stage.
Including Mr. Dickson, a lady, and a young boy, in a sketch entitled “Heart-to-heart Talks.” The sketch is constructed in order that it may fit Mr. Dickson’s peculiar style of work, and while it is a pretty good act, I think he has done many better ones on the circuit. He had a new woman here this afternoon, who, while she played the part excellently, was unquestionably nervous, and that might have affected Mr. Dickson in a way. The act went all right, but somehow it did not seem to me to quite meet the criticisms that I have heard of it. However, it is liable to be much better tonight. At any rate, it is hardly fair to judge from a Monday afternoon audience. 33 minutes, full stage.
