On at 2.24, 16 min, full stage. While I do not think that these monks are as well-trained as several other troupes, still Galetti has a way of handling them that leaves the impression with the audience that their misses are a part of the act. As a laugh-getter this turn is a corker. It is possible for this act to finish in 1, for about 4 min, which certainly adds considerably to its value.
21 min, F.S., 2 shows. On at 10:04. Five elephants and a dog, all of them remarkably well trained. A genuine hit. Do regulation stunts and a great many more that are more adapted to a Vaudeville stage than to the Circus, such as putting baby to sleep, working the telephone, etc. The shaving feat is the funniest thing ever, in which one elephant lathers and shaves another in a manner that is ludicrous. This is one of the best animal acts I have ever seen. The closing feat of turning somersault gets a big hand. Also the gun-drill and sword play. As a children’s act this can scarcely be beat.
This is something of a novelty and the man causes a number of laughs by his peculiar manner, but it didn’t reach as strongly as I expected it would. 10 min. in 1, 2 shows.
13 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 10:22. This is a very showy and circus-like act. It has much improved in finish since it was last offered here. The stage-setting, costuming and paraphernalia are all bright and pleasing. The work of the trained horse received good applause for every stunt and made a favourable finish. This is a good closing act and particularly for the children.
On at 10.11, 14 min, full stage. Played the Orpheum last week but had this week open and were added to our show particularly as a children’s feature for a holiday week. In its present shape I think that the act is very much to the good, and think that the early adverse reports must have been due to the fact that the bears did not recover from their sea-voyage. Mr. Batty also tells me that the animals must be worked constantly or they forget. So long lay-offs are fatal to his success.
On at 8.43, 16 minutes, full stage. ‘The Golden Amazon.’ One of the most beautiful horse acts I have ever seen, the paraphernalia excelling all the others. This is the first week the act has worked in this country outside the hippodrome, consequently it is not perfectly smooth in its action, but Marrder is a great horse-woman and she has a wonderfully well trained animal.
On at 4:27, 13 min, full stage. Circus set. An act that will cause a great amount of talk wherever it plays. With its two elephants, two ponies, dogs and acrobats, it makes a miniature circus. One of the best children’s features I have ever seen. It bears the stamp of individuality and novelty. As will be noticed, we are playing the Wotperts and this act in the same set. The Wotperts were on first this afternoon, but commencing tonight that will follow The Novellos on account of the parade feature of the latter act.
As a whole this act is rather mediocre, the only thing about it that is really of consequence is the playing of sleigh bells and the monkey riding the bicycle which mounts of his own accord and steers without the aid of any trick apparatus. Animal acts nowdays should have something a great deal more out of the ordinary or else be doing three shows. As it is we do not get full value out of this act. 12 min, full stage, 2 shows.
This act got away with very little applause at the performances yesterday and as I have said about these novelty acts, they have no value to speak of after the first presentation as far as Providence is concerned, unless they are the most remarkable and attractive, which this act is not. It is a novelty and that is all. Like everything that Mr. Hart does it is done on a cheap scale. 22 min. full stage, 2 shows.
3 min, FS, 2 shows. On at 7:30. This is a very good animal act. York has five trained terriers. Differs from any animal act in that the works with the dogs and they work with him rather than being worked by him. Every time he turns a somersault or does a high jump, one or others of the dogs imitates him perfectly. York and his wife play leap frog, and then two of the dogs in a most amusing manner imitate them. The dogs do not seem to fear their master of the whip. Closing feat gives a lively finish to the act. Good hand.
