18 min. A typical Western melodrama, and as we have not played one for a considerable period, it was very acceptable. The scene of the passing train is very realistic and received good applause. In fact, it made us a very closer and might safely be called a hit.
23 minutes f.s. special set. A protean act that holds the interest, although the story is disconnected and hard to follow. The audience, however, was interested in the changes and with the beautiful stage setting holds the spot very well.
“The Prediction.” 16 min. A strongly dramatic playlet written around a new theme and therefore takes its place among the novelty sketches we have played. There is enough comedy in the dialogue to win laughs and a surprise climax brings the act to an excellent finish. The characters are all well played and the act made a good impression.
16 min. “The Shoplifter.” A dramatic sketch employing three persons. It is talky but carries an interesting story which held attention and has a pleasing climax which brings the act to a good finish. Wood is an excellent actor and his support is all that could be desired. While rather heavy for summer, still it was very well liked.
“The Christmas Letter.” 20 min. This is the playlet that won the Lambs’ Club silver cup offered for the best sketch of the year produced at a Lambs’ Gambol. It serves as an excellent vehicle for Mr. Wise and a clever company. It is strongly dramatic, holding close attention of the audience from start to finish and it made a very strong impression with our audience.
“The Unexpected.” 26 min. A real dramatic gem for vaudeville. It is built around the theme of crook play and carried through right up to the very finish by the three principals concerned. The climax is that the sketch turns out to be a rehearsal. It is a splendidly written vehicle with lots bright lines in it and full of “business” and it scored an emphatic hit.
30 min. In “The Decision of Governor Locke.” The new dramatic playlet offered by this well known legitimate star and Edith Lyle is an intensely dramatic story with a strong climax. It is along the same lines as other sketches presented by Mr. Gillingwater but entirely different in theme. It is splendidly played by all the members of the company, held close attention from start to finish and was rewarded with several curtains at the close. As a dramatic sketch, it ranks among the best we have had.
Dramatic playlet, two ladies, two men. 14 min. Full stage. Some portions appear to be better than others, the episode depicting the poor marriage being quite the best incident of the entire playlet. This episode finds more favor with the audience than the remaining portions, and even then they seem only mildly interested. The acting in all cases is particularly good.
15 min. This is a dramatic sketch telling a story of the racetrack which has been playing the vaudeville circuit for several seasons. It is still a good piece of property and was very well received.
An adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Time of act 28 minute, work full stage and use own setting. While the audience did not show any unusual amount of enthusiasm at the finish of this act, nevertheless I think it pleased them. It held attention throughout and with the preliminary advertising we did it ought to get us some business this week. The story is well acted, everybody in the cast being unusually capable.
