Comedy sketch entitled ‘The Other Fellow.’ A rather tacky affair. There are some bright spots scattered through the act, and the audience today tried hard to laugh at every opportunity. I have seen many better sketches. I thought these people were well known in Cleveland, but I find they are not, and that few of the natives here have ever heard of them. They played the Opera House two years ago in ‘Foxy Grandpa,’ but they tell me that it was a frost. Both Hart and Miss De Mar are very clever, and there is no reason why they cannot do as well or better in vaudeville, than Fred Hallen and Mollie Fuller. If Hart & De Mar were known in this town, I could make money with the act CDF in three. 29 min.
Man and woman. Operatic sketch entitled ‘A Lesson in Opera.’ There are a hundred women in Cleveland who can sing all around this girl. Her opening song was so bad that I had a burning desire to run down cellar and hide. The act is not strong enough for this place. The man tries to carry it, but he has not sufficient help to do it alone, and this after-noon he failed miserably. Half the people in the house seemed to give a sigh of relief, when it was all over. Little courtesy applause. CDF in three. 20 min.
A metal sphere in which ‘Wizard’ Stone and Miss Irene Stone do a bicycle act on the lines of the old Cycle Whirl. The actual riding occupies about three min. The novelty in the act is Stone on a motor-cycle making complete circles of the globe from top to bottom. This of act 6 min. Full stage.
Sketch ‘Mike Haggerty’s Daughter.’ First time in this theatre. The sketch went with roars of laughter throughout, and proved to be one of the best comedy sketches we have played this season. I have never before seen it go so well. A very good act. 24 min. Kitchen in three.
‘A Hundred Men in One.’ One of the very best Vaudeville specialties today, and fully up to all that has bee [sic] said about him. Artistic, consistent, and displaying infinite knowledge of great characters as well as experience is impersonation. Held audience to the last. Regard him as the well recommended leader who makes good. Special in 3 and 5. 34 min.
Wire artists, etc. Three very pretty girls in stunning make-up, doing a very chic dance and following up with work on the wire and trapeze that is both artistic and skillful [sic]. The close when one of them does a butterfly dance on the wire held by the other two by the teeth, played upon by revolving lights, beautiful and strongly applauded. Girls have an air of thoroughly enjoying their work, which adds to the patrons enjoyment too, Costume and paraphernalia all to be desired. Will close with them tonight and hereafter. One of the best acts of its kind. 15 min. Garden in 4.
Expert jugglers in burlesque. Good house-warmer, being swift and expert, the comedy part of being very good. The hoop-rolling especially worthy of comment. Also catching apples, cabbages, potatoes and other articles on end of fork held in teeth. Applause and laughter constant to a swift finish. Strongly recommended for this palace. Spec. drop in 4. 13m. Cuts ordered: Throwing apples to and from Gallery. Using lighted torches. Making bluff to throw basket of apples to audience.
Comedy sketch, introducing singing and talking specialties. Woman has a pleasing appearance, singing with precision and in good style. Partner has neither voice nor training to match her musical abilities but he is something of a comedian, though not very original in his humor. Man ages to get by acceptably. Act needs coaching up. 17 min in 3.
This man drew a good size house this afternoon. The biggest Monday matinee we had for quite a while. All due, I presume, to the extra amount of advertising. He received some little advance applause. Got his committee very readily and he went through his handcuff work. The Jury did not seem to enthuse any. In fact, they were very cold. He then went into his other various stunts and they warmed up slightly. He closed up with pretty fair applause and took only one bow. 19 min, full stage. EIGHT PERFORMANCE: Houdini’s performance. Worked out a couple of stunts ourselves, which greatly improved his act. He closed with very strong applause and took a couple of bows. The house was the biggest for Monday night for many weeks. Great numbers leaving after he was finished.
In an original comedy: ‘Mlle. Ricci.’ This man has an entire new company. The women are new. Pearl Hight is the substitute for Miss Elton, who I believe is sick, was formerly with Victor Moore of Moore & Littlefield, but she is not as good. Petite in size, fair appearance, crude in her mannerisms, etc., and the other woman just about passes. The act on the whole went good, but not as strong as before. 19 min.
