Gymansts. 16 min. F.S. close in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:26. Practically the same act as offered here before including only one of the dwarfs, whose comedy was nevertheless the best feature of the act. Mlle Selbini beings with a song, then proceeds with the well-known disrobing act on the bicycle, followed by some fair three-a-day wheeling stunts. The finish of the act with the little dwarf on the burlesque automobile received good hand. This act did not make a hit expected of her the last time she was here, and the little dwarfs she carried with her then saved it from absolute fall-down. On this occasion she depends upon one dwarf and her corsetless stunts on the wheel to save the act. They barely save it. The drop which she carries shows terrible usage and looks bad enough to have gone through the Iroquois fire. It would seem that with all the money Mlle Selbini gets for this act, she would keep her scene-set fresh, and it hurts her whole act. The work in one with Italian Song, and the dwarf and miniature hand-organ and monkey was only fair. Her close was decidedly weak for such a high-priced act.
Prima donna. 14 min. in 2. 2 shows. On at 8:42. A great artiste to her very finger-tips and her topmost note. More than that, Madame knows what a general audience like this requires. Her two classic songs and two simple English-ballad encores (new here) were perfect selections for Vaudeville, and she sang them using faultlessly and with irresistible charm. A wonderful voice and a wonderful woman. Regard her advent in vaudeville of signal importance. She will draw very strong for the balance of the week. Closed well with two curtain calls.
Com – 14 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 7:50. Two men, one working straight and the other eccentric. Well known on circuit. Act is greatly improved since it was here last. Carry their own drop representing ocean scene. The man working straight does a good many difficult juggling stunts, although several of them palpable imitations of Salerno. The comedian is great and keeps the audience in constant good humor. Does a good many old tricks, including that of catching apples thrown from the audience, but it brings the laugh. Closed strong, with three curtain calls. Would make good with any audience about 8:30.
2/M 1/W. Presenting the sensational automobile racing sketch in two scenes ‘A Race for a Wife.’ The story is simple – the fathers refusal to allow the girl to marry the man of her choice, decides to elope – second scene shown the two automobiles is a thrilling race. The young couple have the lead driving a Pope-Toledo 125 H.P. while the father has a Buick, and with the panorama backing and effects, it is a thriller. Race occupies about 40 seconds. Powell plays the part of the father in good shape, scoring many laughs. The sketch contains good business, plenty of action, is interesting and held the audience. The finish is sensational. Automobile race is a knockout, securing spontaneous applause from all parts of the house. 20 min
High-class French Operatic Vocalists. This act was really the hit of the show yesterday. Three men and one woman all having very good voices. The woman especially has a very fine voice, and they were compelled to sing their last song over twice. 13 minutes in one.
Musical act. This is a very good act. First time I have seen this act, and is sure to make good in any of the houses. Plenty of good comedy all the way through and the music is also very good. Went very well. 12 minutes, full stage and close in one.
‘The Politician and the Hebrew.’ This is a very poor act. The straight man is so not bad, but the comedian is no good. I changed them with Harry Breen. Only went fair. 13 minutes in one. Three shows.
On at 4.26, 26 min, full stage. This act did not run as smoothly as it should this afternoon, largely the fault of the working crew of the act, who did not seem to know how to set their own stuff. Their electrician was also apparently all at sea on his cues. The athletic girl and the Englishman are not suffering with the bad colds, which was a serious handicap to the vocal part of the act. I think this is the best thing that Lusky has ever given us. Like all of his attractions, however, he has failed to develop the idea to its fullest extent. This could be made one of the most talked of acts in vaudeville, and would be good for two or three seasons; but it still seems to have the same unfinished air it had the first time I saw it, about a month ago. I think it would pay Lusky to give his acts a little more of his personal attention after he has started them out on the road. I have seen the same thing happen with several of his productions.
On at 3.12, 16 min, in 1. Only a storyteller, but a corking good one. I think he will develop into one of our best acts in one. Has a pleasant personality and a peculiar way of delivering his material that makes him welcome the minute he starts. I consider that we are very fortunate to have him in the bill this week, for he has got to go down next to closing instead of D’Arville, so as to give sufficient time to set the House Boat. I have no fear but what he will hold this place in an eminently satisfactory manner both to our patrons and ourselves.
On at 2.16, 20 min, in 1. I could not see where this act came in for $250 when I saw it in New York last week and our audience this afternoon seemed to be of the same mind as myself. The opening of the act drags, while Warren’s make-up as a wench is what saves the finish. Blanchard is working black-face here this week, which, in my opinion, improves the act, for I do not think that any audience wants to see a white man making love to a negro. Blanchard’s stage appearance in white-face is anything but attractive, and his ideas of dressing are something awful. In the black-face this is not noticeable.
