William B. Friedlander’s “Extra Dry” has all that an entertaining half hour could be expected to deliver in lively numbers, tuneful score and engaging stage pictures and, having the first try at the thirty-minute style of number entertained thoroughly. The piece moves swiftly with its catchy lyrics and capital dances, but it could be made to set a good deal faster pace if the dialog were cut sternly down to a minimum. Such numbers as the “Scandal,” song need no leading up to. The talk and “bit” between the school mistress and the bellboy was funny, but the rest of the lines could be scrapped and the numbers and dance could stand on their merits. They have “Production class.” The “plot” of the piece rather cheapens them than sets them off.
The Dewey Trio, a couple of men and a woman (colored) with piano singing and dancing, closed the vaudeville, a good-sized hit scored principally on the excellent singing voice of the men. The men also proved themselves good dancers, but on the results obtained from the singing more of that should be included in their routine.
Singing and dancing act. A good lively number that got away with the closing position in first straight style. 10 minutes in two.
An unaccountable stage-wait hung up Walter Ward and Ethel Dooley, closing the show. A closer has enough woes without a five-minute delay. Then the two little people came out in “one” after all, and with a feeble song and dance to follow [Tom] Dingle, those girls and the other dancers on the bill. Still a few remained. But when Miss Dooley rolled in on a bicycle and the first rays of the spotlight struck the nickel-plating, there was a stampede, and what came after that didn’t matter.
Adams and Long, third, singing and dancing duo, pulled the regulation stuff, including the immortal “apple sauce” gag, the first time incidentally this reviewer has heard it in a theatre in 15 years. Adams and Long did a minstrel bit which tended somewhat to take the edge off Mrs. George Primrose minstrel act immediately following.
[New Act] Songs and dances, 9 mins; one. A colored man and woman team that reminds one of the old days. They sing a couple of songs, taking great care that the orchestration is sufficiently loud to make sure that no one in front shall hear what it is all about, and then tackle some stepping. The man does some fairly good acrobatic stunts, and that about lets the act out. A double number is used to open, this is followed by the girl trying with “Ballyhoo Bay,” but not getting much in return. The man’s single stepping follows and then another double.
18 Mins.; One. Tommy Van and the Ward Girls are presenting a three-act that will develop into a corking novelty turn for the small time. It has a novelty opening with the girls seated in the audience. Mr. Van comes on as a single (which his billing would indicate) and offers an imitation of Raymond Hitchcock. At its completion he starts to announce his next imitation, when he is interrupted by a girl’s laugh from the audience. A bit of cross-fire follows, and the girls come on the stage. Some comedy talk follows. The girls look cute at the opening, but after making a change the blonde dresses her hair in a fashion to make her look much taller than the brunet and detracts from the harmony. Her gown might also be changed. The act was easily the hit of the ball Tuesday night.
George and May Da Glen came next but had a hard time of it. The male member does a “drunk” character, but this style of character does not seem to go here. He is a clever performer and is worthy of a better vehicle. The woman sings and dances and makes five changes.
Bill Robinson, a colored entertainer from local cafes, worked next to closing, though billed earlier. Robinson used little or no make-up, but he used plenty of ego, too frequently prolonging his bits with “My impression of” and “My idea of” and “If you will pay strict attention,” etc. He addressed remarksto the audienceand tothe spotlight man that were ad lib and not in the best of discretion. He caved in nothing, merely singing and dancing and getting applause when he hoofed violently. A dash of diffidence would have helped the impression, as the audience gave him no reception warranting his free-and-easy intimacy with it.
The DeWolf Girls, who swept the State-Lake a couple of weeks ago, all but perished here. The changes were neat and becoming and they jockeyed like experts for the bows and hands, but it was a bust. They had to throw in their regular encore number gratis, and not by request.
