In his character creation “Baron Sands”. His act is composed entirely of imitations. He opens with a song to introduce his character, and with a little talk which is nicely done he leads up to his imitations which are, no doubt, familiar to everybody. His finish in one, which is about 7 minutes, is the strongest part of his act. This act no doubt creates a lot of talk. 17 minutes.
Character impersonations. Great men, past and present. This man presents a very nice act. Does the impersonations on the style of Henry Lee without the speeches. His impersonations are good and each one was applauded strongly. Compelled to take two bows on the finish. Excellent three-show act. 9 min – full stage – 3 shows.
“Dick Turpia” (protean):- IF this is not the most subtle and brilliant character work ever seen in Vaudeville I am no critic. It is pretty hard for an actor like Roberts to live up to his reputation, but if ever a man achieved it by the most unique one-act play that was ever staged in Vaudeville, it was Roberts, and the entire audience was convinced of it. From the start the story holds the interest, being wonderfully thought out from step to step, admirably written in character touches, and acted in a manner that proclaims his genius of the very highest order. The story is well known, and it only need be said that he was an unqualified hit in every one of his characters which are strongly differentiated, changed with lighting rapidity and so artistic as to command the highest praise. If any possible improvements might be suggested, it is to cut it down four to six minutes. But if anything is calculated to prove the high standard of Vaudeville in America judged by the best, it is acts of this kind. Roberts will certainly pull strong for balance of this week. His modest bearing before him and after the play have not a little to do with making him a favorite.
“My Wife’s Diamonds”. I was in hopes that this play would do much better here on this trip, as they have never scored very heavily in Cleveland. The act is very similar to that of Gardner Crane’s act; as it deals with the stealing of a diamond necklace, and instead of calling on the servants and employees of the hotel, in Gardner Crane’s act, he calls on the German Girl, Italian Boy, and the French dressmaker. These characters are taken by Miss Cotton. Her German dialect is unusually bad and only spoils this character. The Italian Boy is very good and the French dressmaker is only fair. Mr Long plays the part of the husband, and only does one character of the Italian. The act is far from being a hit and went very flat this afternoon, receiving hardly any applause at all at finish. 22 minutes. Interior.
‘A Hundred Men in One.’ One of the very best Vaudeville specialties today, and fully up to all that has bee [sic] said about him. Artistic, consistent, and displaying infinite knowledge of great characters as well as experience is impersonation. Held audience to the last. Regard him as the well recommended leader who makes good. Special in 3 and 5. 34 min.
Mimic. Her imitations are a little foreign to Cleveland audiences, such as Fay Templeton, Lulu Glaser and the character from Piff, Paff, Pouff. The last on in particular was entirely new to them. However, the act went rather strong. Her imitation of Anna Held was one of her best numbers. 10 minutes in one.
“The Society Caricaturist, in her Original Monologue, “The American Girl Types”. This act is just the same as when last seen here with probably the exception of a few new hats and furs. Received some advance applause, and considering that there was absolutely nothing new in her act it went much better than I expected, as each character received liberal applause. Fancy Interior 18 minutes.
2 shows, 18 min. open in 2, close in 1. Impersonations of celebrated musical composers. This act went much stronger than I expected. In fact, he scored a hit.
Impersonator of famous composers, directing Band. Only one of his impersonations went at all well today, and that was his first, “Suppe,” and this was entirely on account of the comedy which was introduced in the character. It may be possible that he will go better with tonight’s audience, but this afternoon’s crowd knew nothing at all of what he was doing and consequentially could not appreciate his work which personally, I consider very fine. 16 min. in two, 2 shows.
There is no question but that Mr. Gilfoil’s character of “Baron Sands” is excellently drawn and that his imitations or rather mimicry are the best in vaudeville. But still he is not a legitimate headliner. 18 mins. F.S.
