On at 4.24, 9 min, full stage. It is a shame to have to use this act to close with this week, as it is one that every person in the audience should see. At the price we are now paying, it is the cheapest act in vaudeville. We have paid four and five hundred dollars to European acts that do not class with it for a moment. These boys rank with the Four Lukens and the Four Bards.
I can’t say that I am very much impressed with Miss Harren’s act other than for the novelty of her blacking up in view of the audience. In the 3-a-day section and going on before 8 o’clock she would be thoroughly all right. I can’t see her before for anything better. 13 min. in 1, 2 shows.
Dillon Brothers held down this spot in very good shape. Their parodies are a trifle rough for the matinee audiences in this theater, composed as they are largely of women and children. 18 min. in one.
32 min. in one, illustrated talk on travels in The Philippines and Japan. The talk and illustrations were very interesting and I feel sure that Mr. McIntosh drew us money and a class of people who do not, as a rule, attend the theatre. I think he would prove a very good attraction on any bill.
This act was commented on last week. It was held over for two weeks because of the fact that thousands of children could not get into the theatre last week. I am quite sure it will prove an excellent drawing card for the youngsters.
Mr. Primrose presents eight white boys in blackface, and a wealth of pretty scenery. Open in full stage with a very pretty set of a cotton field in the moonlight, and close in one with a silver shower clog by the boys. While this is really a great dancing act I do not consider it worth near the money Primrose is getting for it. Unless it is deemed wise to pay $500. For the Primrose name and $500. For the act proper. 11 min. FS. 5 min. in one.
German violinist, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Voelker. This act is more suited to the concert stage than to vaudeville. While his “Gipsy Melodies,” and “Fantasie Caprice” were rendered brilliantly the audience appeared to like the intermezzo from “Cavaliera Rusticana” the best, for the reason, perhaps, that it has been rendered in vaudeville so often the masses are familiar with the strain. In justice to Mr. Voelker it must be said that he played it with greater finish than it has ever been played here. 13 min. in 3.
In their great mimetic Novelty “The Nightingale’s Courtship.” 12 min. F.S. This act opens with a great lot of acrobatic stunts, all admirably done. Both men are in clown costume. They keep the running fire of talk which adds much to the act. The work with the blown-up pig is a great laugh, but the finish is the funniest. It is very novel – that of the “Nightingale’s Courtship”. This got constant laughter and a strong hand. This act made good its recommendations and could hold down any spot.
Batty’s Bears. This act was delayed in arriving here, as was noted in my criticism of Monday. Not only did the animals not work well, but some of the paraphernalia was delayed, arriving on Tuesday and Wednesday. Batty went to work and got his act going in good shape so that now we regard it as one of the most interesting childrens’ and womens’ animal features obtainable. Whereas the bears do not do anything that can be regarded as an overwhelming novelty, there is not a dull moment in the act. They turn summersaults, walk on barrels and gloves, do see-saw stunts, dancing, eating and drinking in a very ludicrous manner. The big cinnamon bear is harnessed to a wagon containing little black bears, and gets a big laugh from the women and children as it opens the act. The same big bear totes out a basket containing a little baby bear, whose antics are also very amusing. Considering the difficulty of training these clumsy creatures to do anything but catch a stick and do a street dance, the act is a very creditable one and should make good anywhere between 8 and 9 o’clock.
Trained Animal Feature. 12 min. F.S. Four black bears, one cinnamon and one baby bear. Do the regulation stunts including walking on rolling barrels, turning sommersaults, dancing etc. Nothing particularly new or startling in the act, but will make good. As the animals just arrived they worked slowly, but the audience was considerably interested in this novelty. Good closing hand. This act was due to arrive on steamer “Arcadia” three days ago, but the ship was delayed at Newport News. Came by rail with much paraphernalia missing. The act will pull together all right. Will report on it later this week.
