31 min. A capacity audience gave this venerable actress a royal welcome and listened with the strictest interest to her recital of the one-act French play in which she is the central figure. At the finish the applause lasted through several curtains.
28 min. f.s., spl. This is Miss Suratt’s first appearance here in a sketch of this nature and she has surrounded herself with an exceptionally strong cast. The act held the interest of our audience throughout and closed to a very good hand.
30 min. “The Lincoln Highwayman.” With a change of cast and a slight change in the business leading up to the big climax, this sketch went over as a big applause hit on its second visit here. There is plenty of action and the surprise climax gives it a strong finish. Following his act Dickey made a speech of strong appeal for the Y.M.C.A. fund now going on in this city.
Tommy Gray’s patriotic sketch presented by Brown University students who donate their services; the salary paid the act being used to purchase Liberty Bonds (which were procured in advance) and the Bonds donated to the Providence Journal Athletic Fund. This is a very good sketch indeed and the boys as actors did not in the least suffer by comparison with the professional actors on the bill. At the conclusion of the act the orchestra played the Star Spangled Banner and we dropped a big flag from the flies; making it a big patriotic stunt which was unquestionably a big hit, and they act itself contains plenty of merit, making it advisable to move it from number three to this spot. 12 minutes f.s.
“Pansy’s Particular Punch.” 18 min. This sketch was played here last by Florence Nash and while Miss Busley is undoubtedly a clever artiste, she is not exactly fitted to the role in this piece. Neither is the vehicle a suitable one. It only went fairly well.
This act was a decided surprise after what I heard about it. I didn’t expect much, but Monday afternoon the audience as well as myself decided it was a very good act. Personally I think it was the best thing on the bill. A very good sketch and decidedly well played. 25 minutes F.S.
In “The Lincoln Highwayman.” An excellent sketch very well played by Mr. Dickey, Miss Plummer and one of the members of his company, the other two being the chauffeur and the stage carpenter. The sketch went over in strong shape and possibly there is no fault to find, but the fact remains that we are not getting what I saw in New York. In New York, Mr. Dickey had a special set also a little taxicab limousine on the stage, neither of which was brought here. He simply asked to have one of our house sets with the back turned to the audience which, to my mind, would be rediculous [sic]. Fortunately, I had a scenic artist here and we rushed something through that made it look like a special set. I believe this question should be taken up with Mr. Dickey before he gets much further. 32 minutes full stage.
“The Lincoln Highwayman.” 31 min. the return of this young dramatic star to vaudeville gives the two-a-day a new “name” act and also a new dramatic thriller which carries a big scene and a surprise finish. The story itself drags considerably before getting to the big punch but there is sufficient action to hold the audience interested in expectancy for something big to happen. The playlet employs four men and one girl and it is very well played. It commanded a lot of attention, is a big showy act and closed to a big hand.
“The Broken Idol.” The scene is laid in the famous Chinatown of Los Angeles; the costumes and electrical effects are very fine; singing, dancing, etc.
In “The Lincoln Highwayman.” 30 minutes f.s. Special set. This is a great act. A melodramatic automobile playlet, with five people, a dog, and a real Stutz racer on the stage. The act leads up to a surprise finish, something after the style of “Under Cover.” Held the interest every minute, and closed very strong.
