33 min. full stage – Just as popular as ever, every number being encored. I would like to make them a permanent feature of the show here, as I am convinced they would draw more money in a year than anything else. Everywhere I go outside I have inquiries as to why we do not do this.
Four men and two boys in a particular strong acrobatic act. I happened to catch these people without work and got them for a very reasonable figure. It comes pretty nearly to being one of the best acrobatic acts that we have ever played. 12 minutes, full stage.
Colored man with about as good a repertoire of songs as has ever been offered in this house. I think he got more laughs and that the appreciation was more genuine and legitimate than was displayed toward Ernest Hogan. He certainly went very strong and I think he will do so over the entire circuit. 17 minutes in one.
Consisting of Sam Weston and his two girls. They have got the act in a great deal better shape that I have ever seen it before, and what music they play, they play very well. It isn’t a very strong comedy act, but is neatly dressed and very pleasing. Here in New York it goes especially strong because I think the average New Yorker realizes Sam’s infirmity (he being totally blind) and gives him full credit for not trying to make capital out of it. 25 minutes, open full stage, and close in one.
Miss Ayer is the daughter of the well known writer, Harriet Hubbard Ayer. She is a rather tall girl, and not particularly handsome. She has a very fair voice, but her enunciation is faulty. I put her on more for a trial than anything else, but she will hardly do for the circuit unless she rids herself of some particular mannerisms she has, which she has promised to do right away. 8 minutes in one.
Consisting of Mr. Smith, one other man, and a woman in an act called “A Friend in Need.” The act utilizes the idea of two drunken men about town, but is not specially offensive, the dialogue and situations are very broadly farsical [sic], and there isn’t a great deal of talent shown in the act, but it certainly got the laughs all right this afternoon, and I suppose it is useless to be too critical in this sort of weather. 17 minutes, full stage.
A man and a woman in a little act called “Magic in the Kitchen,” in which both performers are made up as kitchen domestics and incidentally introduce a few simple tricks in magic, using the kitchen utensils. It is a harmless little act and is all right for three-a-day. 16 minutes full stage. Can close if necessary.
A man and a woman in about the same comedy sketch that they have been doing for the last five or six years. They appear first in evening dress and the man changes to a farmed and the woman to an abnormally far women. They do well indeed for old-timers and the audience seemed to enjoy the act thoroughly. 23 minutes full stage.
Two men and a woman in a comedy sketch introducing some eccentric dancing by one of the men, a little trombone solo by the woman, and some very good eccentric comedy work by the other man. It is a might good three-show-a-day act and made a hit this afternoon, which I suppose will prohibit me from getting them to do three again. 18 minutes, open full stage, and close in one.
A couple of young girls who first appear in short dresses, rather neat makeup, and so a song with a little dancing. They then do a dance, playing their own accompaniment on violins and complete with the acrobatic work which is usually introduced by “sister” acts. It is a good act of its kind. 10 min. in one.
