“The Little Cheer-up Girl.” There seems to have been some doubt about this girl’s making good, but she had turned the trick so beautifully that sh”e will go way down the line for the balance of the week on the strength of her impersonations – particularly Tanguay, Vernon and the rest – all of which received a perfect whirlwind applause. In fact, Winter was a distinct hit. She is a very pretty girl, dresses becomingly and has the advantage of youth. She will be a great artist if she keeps on. As it is, she won the house and could hold any house around nine o’clock with credit. Eleven curtain-calls on last two efforts – and a warm day at that.
16 min. in 1. Opens with kinetograph picture of colored washer-woman at home. Miss Donnette come on and sings, dances and introduces her dog amusingly dressed. The canine is well trained and helps her win the house. A fair closing hand.
Sketch: “The Absent Minded Beggar.” Man and woman. This act made a distinct hit and is really one of the best things we have had here in the sketch line since the house opened. The old soldier as impersonated by Nugent is an admirable piece of work and it may be recorded to his credit that his efforts to please were crowned with unqualified success. It strikes me that this man is an actor of uncommon ability. He makes every word and gesture count and at no time overdoes things to attain the desired result. The ideas of the sketch is somewhat away from the usual theme.; there are many bright lines in the little play. His wife fulfills the demands in playing opposite to him satisfactorily. 19 minutes.
I saw this young lady in New York and she was a terrific hit. I thought she would make a big noise here in Cleveland but I thought wrong. Her first two songs this afternoon went well but she went all to pieces on her last song where the fake old man sings from the balcony. She received hardly enough applause to bring her back for a bow. Personally, I like her work immensely. She is dainty clever, and artistic. But as I do not pay to see the show, its not good business policy to force my likes and dislikes on the Clevelandites. Drop in one. 17 min.
Comedy sketch “The Fool House.” These people came in this morning and quit on account of their billing. I happened to have an extra act on hand and thirty minutes after they quit they discovered that they could not cripple the show and so they returned and insisted on working. I allowed them to work. They made good in this spot. Full stage 22 Min
The first fall down on the bill. I was prepared to see an act as good as “That Quartette”, but I found what was almost a frost. The solo work of the tenor is very bad. The work of the four men throughout was ragged, and I am wondering if I have the same four that played in the eastern houses. Whether they have a ringer in or not. The act is not strong enough for this spot. They did 14 min. today and the audience seemed glad when it was over.
On at 8.57, 14 min, full stage, 3 min close in 1; 17 min in all. He is doing a very good series of sensational stunts on a wheel and has a good comedy assistant. Of course, in paying his salary, the immense amount of baggage he caries must be considered. HE can do a ride over the footlights and up an aisle if wanted. But we do not care for that sort of thing here. I should imagine that in places where it is allowed it would help his act considerably. Quite a bit of comedy in the close in 1. He makes a very swell appearance and his paraphernalia dresses the stage in good shape.
On at 9.43, 20 min, in 1. This lady seems to have a mortgage on Boston and could be singing yet, so far as the wishes of her audience were concerned. With her husband’s ability to produce new and catch songs as an added asset, I consider Miss Mayhew one of the most valuable single turns we have. I can stand her a couple trips of two weeks each next season, and will be only too glad to get her. There is no question in my mind but what Mayhew and Tanguay have both made bigger individual hits in this house than did Victoria.
On at 8.10, 16 min, in 1. “The Sophomore and the Freshman”. These boys are doing a pretty good talking act and have quite a bunch of new material which went very well with today’s audiences. They finish with a very good new song. One of them is a far better performer than the other, having a finer voice and a more natural method of delivery. I consider the act well worth the $100 we are paying them.
On at 7.53, 17 min, full stage; can close in 1, if necessary. Keno is a corking good acrobat and dancer, but not any great shakes as a comic. Miss Rosa is going to make a very clever little soubrette. She needs a character song instead of the one she is now opening with. They finish with a knockabout dance that is extremely good, and will score anywhere. I think that this act will work into an offering worth about $125-150.
