This is a man and a woman, the man doing a comedy bicycle act, and the woman a bag punching specialty. I don’t think that our audiences care particularly for bag punching at any stage of the game, for I don’t think they fairly understand it, but I should say this woman is about as good as any of them, and the man is a very clever bicyclist. There is an element of novelty about the act which makes it good. 14 minutes, full stage.
This is a singing, dancing, and acrobatic act of about the same calibre [sic] of the usual “sister” teams. It is no better nor no worse than the average act of the kind, and, while I have never thought that our audiences cared particularly for this sort of an act, it is all right once in a while. 9 min., full stage.
A man and a woman in an exhibition of baton juggling. There is not, of course, in an act of this kind, an opportunity to show a great deal of versatility. It is simply one thing right over and over, but I think they are about the best in this line that I have ever seen, and they do a very good small act which will give satisfaction in an early part of the bill. 10 minutes, full stage.
These fellows do a nonsensical sort of an act which it is pretty hard work to explain on account of its sheer nonsense. There is a little grotesque acrobatic work, a little music, a little burlesque talk and some comedy talk which is principally funny on account of the situations. It is a good act, however, throughout, and held the attention of our audience closely, although they did not go on until 5:15. 17 minutes, full stage; can close in one if necessary.
Comedian and parody singer. Flynn, of course, had a very bad place on the bill and had to work hard for every bit of recognition that he got, but he ended all right, and I look for him to make a big hit to night. He writes all of his material and has some parodies which are as good as any which I have ever heard, especially the one on “Hiawatha.” He also reads some newspaper notes that are very funny. 17 minutes in one.
Consisting of Mr. Bond, one other man, and two women, in a comedy sketch entitled “My Awful Dad.” It made a very strong impression. Bond is an excellent comedian and presents a sort of character that is somewhat new. He has been wise enough to surround himself with an exceptionally strong support, and the entire act went with roars of laughter. 23 minutes, full stage.
Banjoists. There is no question but that these two men are the best banjoists in the country from the standpoint of vaudeville audiences. There may be others perhaps whose technique may be netter, but they have a business-like way of presenting their music which is particularly pleasing. They made a big hit, and their classical piece (a selection of the opera Semiramide) won them a great amount of applause and strong curtain call. 11 minutes in one.
This performer got a reception again this afternoon when he came on and seemed to have no difficulty in holding the attention of the audience from the start to the finish of the act. It was a damp and rainy afternoon, and we have a very large house so that it is hardly possible to say whether the business can be attributed to him or not, but he is certainly pleasing them, and it is my impression now that we can easily keep him another week. That, however, we will decide later. 17 minutes, full stage.
A couple of men in a Hebrew comedy talking and singing act. They had a pretty difficult place on the bill following Howard and Burke and Gallagher and Barrett, and while they did pretty well, they did not make much of an impression until they came to the close of their act where they do a Hebrew “cake-walk”, which sent them off in great style. I shall change them to night in the place of Howard and Burke, where I think they will do a very good turn. 12 minutes in one.
The company end of this act is somewhat superfluous, as it consists of a young woman who is evidently the wife of one of the performers and who has scarcely anything to do at all. Gallagher and Barrett, however, are very funny. They do a lot of crazy, nonsensical talk of the sort that always seems to please vaudeville audiences, introducing a little burlesque acting, and closing with some burlesque acrobatic singing which sends them off in great shape. 25 minutes; open full stage and close in one.
