‘His Wife’s Picture.’ 20 min. FS, 2 shows. On at 8:52. For a twenty-minutes sketch there is lots of dash and interest in this act, although Mr. Corrigan’s male support could be a little stronger, Miss Augusta True gives the star a good assistance being pretty and charmingly costumes. The action turns on a husband’s suspicion that his wife is in the apartments [sic] of a former lover, and the intrigue of the valet-detective to bring about the wife’s conviction of infidelity. There is strong interest in the act and some considerable humor. Corrigan handles the theme with a strong individuality right up to a surprising finish. There were two curtain calls at the close and big hand.
Dancers. 13 min, FS, 2 shows. On at 8:26. Five pretty girls, becomingly dressed. Makes a very good impression with their sprightly eccentric dances. The song by one of the girls was no especially valuable the act and was cut out after the first appearance, but her dancing with the big rubber ball gets by very well. The finish is novelone [sic] and gets a strong hand, with two curtain calls. This is a very good act for anywhere up to 8:45.
Illus. songs. 18 min. in 1, 3 shows. On at 7:30. This act improves with each engagement, but Diamond’s voice deteriorates. The pictures are brilliantly colored and inspiring in theme. The fire picture and the war picture, both brilliantly done, and moving films, got strong hand. The finish was prolonged applause. This act represents the perfection of illustrated song-picture idea which is being a little overdone of late, but in nowise as brilliantly as these people who would make good anywhere in the early two-a-day section. Although the pictures are the thing, they should get a new soloist who has some expression to his voice and doesn’t sing through his nose.
And her Ranch Boys with 7 horses. From 20 to 25 min. There is no question but what this act is the best of the kind that has ever appeared in vaudeville. I would advise any one booking this act to be sure that their jumps would allow them to get in early in the morning the day of their opening as the preparation for this is enormous. You can figure that it takes them at least 2-1/2 hours after they reach the theatre. We were unable to get them on Monday P.M. until 5:30. It is a question with me whether or not the bucking bronco is a good thing in the act I am afraid that it does not appeal to a portion of our audience.
Monologue. I do not think Mr. Wood’s first seven or eight minutes is interesting to anybody, which was clearly shown at this afternoon’s performance. He uses this amount of time roasting society college boys, rich men’s sons, and the things they wear… The latter part of his act improved some, but nothing to brag about, and the applause of this act was very light. 21 MIN. in one.
C.D.F. 10 min. This act may be best described as the offering of the first rate contortionist who also is a good musician. Duffek ties himself up into knots and plays on a variety of instruments at the same time. While the act is a decided novelty it did not receive much applause.
With Wm. Burress and about 23 other people. I still feel the same about this act as I did when I criticised it at the opening performance at the Opera House. The fore part of the act consists mostly of New York local stuff, and I do not think the general Cleveland Audiences understand it; at least they did not seem to this afternoon. Of course the closing of the act carries it through to a very good finish, but seemed to lack ginger today, and therefore only had to sing one enchore [sic], while the company at the Opera received 8 enchores at their performance that I say, and to my mind was much better company. This is not saying that this is not a good act, for it is, and they have some unusually good voices with it, but hardly think they will draw us their salary. 25 min, FS, Spec. Drop, representing back of stage.
In Geo. Ade’s Farce, ‘Mrs. Peckham’s Carouse.’ This is a little sketch which used by May Erwin as a curtain raiser last season and to my mind is one of the best little comedy sketches we have played this season. It is a continuous laugh from start to finish and received three curtain calls at the close. Five people in the act including Miss Erwin. 2 women and three men, and every one a good actor. I do notthink [sic] anyone can make a mistake playing this sketch. Int. with partitions with door making an outer and inner office. 24 min.
Spec. set. FS, 2 women one man. 16 minutes. A dainty and distinct juggling novelty. The three work together in great shape, and give a smooth performance of wonderful skill. They juggle tennis rackets, balls, and Indian clubs. The audience is held spell bound. Applause was frequent during this act. But for some reason there was not much applause at the close. One of the best juggling acts we have ever had.
Well-known impersonator who has the best act he has ever given us. 10 min, 2 shows. I want to say that I had to have a fight with Mr. Eltinge and give him the option of closing before he would do his act in one. As the act was offered me entirely in one and has been so at all times this season, I think it is well that managers should know this condition before taking him.
