Eccentric Dancing Duo. This is a very good opening act, and went quite as strong as most opening acts of this kind. Both very good dancers, with fair comedy. A good act and worthy of a better place on the bill. Full stage, close in one. 14 min.
Debut in vaudeville. He appeared in the character of ‘Baron Sands,’ a man 80 years old, an old rounder, giddy, quaint and altogether enjoyable. He also imitates the bark, the growl, the cry, and the strange sounds he heard generally at Barnum’s circus. His character acting was great and his imitation were wonderful. He made good every minute he held the stage. 14 min, FS, 3 in one.
They presented for the second time in this house their sketch entitled ‘An Idyll of the Links,’ and that which most recommends the act are the specialties introduced by Mr. Gardiner, for beyond that there is nothing of more than average merit. Full stage, closing in one.
These are the four performers who have been so long doing the ‘span of life’ with the dramatic shows. They are now attempting an act, the first part of which is supposed to be comedy, introducing a sort of trick house. This portion of the act is not very strong, although there is nothing about it that is offensive. For their finish they did their straight acrobatic work which is very good. The act is out on here for a trial, and for the figure that I am paying them is well worth the money. 17 min, full stage.
In a comedy sketch entitled ‘Shipmates.’ The act is presented by two men and one woman, and is somewhat of a novelty in its way. It takes place on the deck of an old stranded schooner at New Bedford, the boat being occupied by two superanuated [sic] captains who signed articles to the effect that no female shall ever some on board. A widow dies, leaving in the charge of one of them a little girl supposed to be about 14 years of age. One of them wants to take her on the board, and the other absolutely objects until the finish. This forms the plot of the act and gives an opportunity for some good work. Day himself in very clever indeed, the other man is all right, and the girl can be called fair, but the sentiment in it carries it along and it can be considered as a very good sketch. 28 min, full stage.
Three men and some woman in a Swiss makeup evidently, and from the standpoint of audience is probably the best straight singing act that we have ever played. Personally, I don’t like it as well as the Grand Opera Trio, but it was evident this afternoon that the audience were with them from the start, for I don’t recollect that I have ever heard any more spontaneous applause in this house. It seemed to me that the woman is not quite as good as a singer as the woman with the Trip, but aside from that there is no question but that the act is just as good, of not better. There is no question but that it will make a big hit any where. 13 min in one.
Equilibrist. This man does a lot of hand and head balancing on a pedestal on the style of Sadi Alfarabi. He uses the billiard cues and other objects. He was hampered a trifle this afternoon on account on the fact that his electrical apparatus was not approved by the inspector so that his feature was not quite as effective as it otherwise would have been. That he will remedy himself. But as he was, he did a very good act indeed, and is well worth the money we are paying him. 12 min, full stage.
Two women and one man in a comedy and singing act which presents quite an element of novelty, the women opening the act in one and impersonating some East Side girls. Naturally this style of work goes much better in this town than it does elsewhere, but I was prepared to make some whole sale cuttings in the act of the account of the report from Philadelphia. Possibly the trimming up of the act over there put them on their guard, at any rate they did nothing or said nothing today that could give any offense. After their first appearance in one, the man comes on and gives a little monologue which is rather mediocre and then sings a song. There is then another change to full stage, when the women come in short dresses and sing a song, and then all three appear in very pretty ward-robe which is covered with Rhine stones and working on a semi-dark stage make a pretty effect. For this house at least, it is a mighty good act and went excellently this afternoon. 18 min, can open in one and close in one if necessary.
Character songs. This young woman is a sister to Al Wilson, the German comedian, and in New York at least I imagine that her act can go done considerably farther on the bill than where I had placed her this afternoon. This singing of ‘coon’ songs naturally got the younger portion of our audiences in great shape. 12 min in 1.
Crayon artist. This fellow does as good a crayon act as we have ever played, the only bad feature of it being that it is rather short. He only did 7 minutes today, but we will try and have that lengthened a little, although I should imagine that 10 minutes would be about all that he could fill. He can work entirely in 2, and probably in one where the apron is wide enough.
