3 shows, 10 min. in 1. Dancing on roller and ice skates. By odds the cleverest act of the kind in the varieties, and he should be booked now for next season, while we can get him at a reasonable figure. In this mean place in the bill he was applauded all the way through.
2 shows, 12 min. in 1. Contralto singer, with a rich and well cultivated voice of good range. She has style, and good figure and costumes with taste, and in addition her song selections were excellent. Notwithstanding which she could not be credited with making a hit, applause being considered. Such has been the fact of all straight singers of the better class, whom we have had here in the past two seasons.
2 shows, 21 min, full stage. Presenting for the first time here their sketch, ‘Hooked by Crook,’ in which Mr. Mason impersonates a burglar, Miss Keeler, a society young lady with a second man as her fiancée. Mason’s work on the piano, near the opening of the act, scored as big a hit as was ever created by Charles Sweet, and the act all through was a perfect cream.
3 shows, 14 min, open in 3, close in 1. Comedy talking sketch, by two men, one working straight and the other in eccentric makeup; the finish a duett [sic]. Not much new material in it; they just about pull through in this place in the bill, and I would not recommend them particularly for the circuit. Were put in in place of Wordette and Kusel who refused to open the show.
Two men, comedy sketch ‘The Terrible Judge.’ Anther act, good, ‘tis true, but has been played to death here. I believe this is their fifth visit. A good act loses value when it plays too often, and we could lose this act for one full year. Cut out: ‘You’ll be a damn fool all your life.’ The dialogue has been changed some – and not for the better – as their new stuff is coarse, and a great deal of it objectionable to ladies. Their whole act needs toning down. 31 mins, CDF in 3. Close in one.
Presenting the comedy ‘In the Days of ’49.’ This act has improved a little, quicker action, more laughs, but with all that it failed to make any impression. Positively no drawing power in this name anymore. Once over the circuit with this vehicle should have been enough. 2 shows, 29 minutes.
Lady Sharpshooters. Full stage, 2 shows, 15 minutes. First time here in years. The general routine of their work is the same as usual. Missed quite a number of shots. They introduce a little comedy into the act. Once every two years would be about enough to play this act.
The Creation of Woman from Nothing. This is a facsimile of the act that has been at Hammerstein’s for the past three or four months. The act is a very good one, and is certainly mystifying. Mr. Heineman, the party who owns the act is here, but he has a man that introduces the act who is more suitable for a dime museum than a first class vaudeville house. I insisted on Heineman making the announcements himself, which gave more tone to the act. With the other party doing it, just killed it. Time 8 minutes full stage.
In a comedy, novelty and acrobatic act ‘In Africa.’ Outside of a few little things which are a trifle coarse and rough, and which I had cut out, this has the makings of a very good act. The comedy situations in it are very good. The acrobatic stuff of the woman is far above the average. With a few changes it would be good for any place on any bill. Time 15 minutes, full stage, special set.
I tried to save this act by giving them an earlier position on the afternoon show but they were not appreciated and never have been in this house, although I think it is a mighty clever act, so as long as the audience don’t care for them, I sacrificed them down at the end of the bill. 10 min, full stage, 2 shows.
