On at 2.41, 18 min, in 1. Four members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in a delightful program. They are remarkably fine musicians and scored heavily today. We hold them over another week anyways and may possibly extend their engagement.
On at 2.13, 7 min in 2, close in 1; 2 min; 9 min in all. A very good club-juggling act, almost as good as the McBanns. Went very well in this spot and could hold a better one. I consider it an excellent act at one twenty-five.
On at 2.01, full stage 10 min, close in 1, 2 min; 12 min in all; 3 shows. Opens with a song, then does rather a clever pianologue; closes with a song in 1. Her piano work is very good. Her voice is rather weak. I think she would do better to elaborate the piano part of her act and eliminate the singing.
The Parisian Bathing Beauty. 15 min. ON at 8.51, F.S. If the truth must be known about this act, in the afternoon, it was the most complete “fall-down” for a big headliner ever seen. I never saw an audience go to pieces, after a tremendous hit, as they did with Selbini. The show up to that time, was improving every act, and “That Quartette” had them in the best humor, and they were ready for the big act that we were sure was to be sprung on them. Selbini opened her act with a flourish on a bicycle, appearing in a very stunning gown and making a very dainty picture, against the most seamy and badly painted drop. She proceeded to do a number of things, including songs. (very indifferently rendered), some juggling – that has been much better done in a 3-a-day section, and some bicycle work, of which the same thing might be said. The little boys that she carries with her did not meet the requirements as laughmakers, and the audience sat as if frozen in cakes of ice. Once in a while, there was a feather hand, but everybody seemed to be wondering when the “sensation” was to be sprung. The disrobing act might have been a sensation some years ago, but did not receive any more than passing applause. The truth is that the woman is traveling on her very beautiful “Shape” and some stunning costumes, but when it comes to talent, she is about worthy of an early place on a 2-a-day section. In the evening, the place was changed to 8.51 and it saved her. More than that, the kids made good and got a deal of laughter and applause. All in all, she just about met demands but leaves no great impression – such as one might expect from a headliner.
11 min. On at 9.43. This is one of the prettiest sight-acts that was ever invented. The women are not required to be very expert dancers, but they are very graceful and most stunningly costumed, and have most unaccountable nerve, to take the flights into flies and wings as they do. Each one is suspended by an invisible wire. They sweep from one side of the stage to the other and from the floor to the flies, in a manner that holds the audience’s breath. The finish of the act, when the doves are let loose in a flight from the gallery, alighting on the persons of the dancers, is one of the most stunning pictures ever seen. This act is a genuine hit and sure to be talked about.
13 min. F.S. Hoop Rollers and Jugglers. Man and woman. This is a very ordinary act. The man works eccentric and is assisted by a pretty young girl, dressed becomingly. The man does the regulation stunts with the hoops, balls and cigar boxes. Introduces some mild comedy. Dragged at first, but worked up to a fair finish.
3 shows, in 1. Very large woman with a very small voice. Just about gets by, on her versatility, for she plays rag-time well. Sings one or two songs to her own accompaniment, after the manner of Wila Hold Wakefield, whom she imitates in voice and intonation. Went off to a fairly good hand, after imitating the aluminum chimes.
Singing and Dancing Oddity. 13 min. ON at 8.20. Makes a pleasing, though by no means great impression. Miss Faye sings only fairly well; her beauty and her high-kicking getting the applause. Two changes of costume. The two boys do wooden shoe dancing and very well and received a good hand. This act was substituted for Emma Francis, so that the latter would not conflict with the closing Arab act. The close was good with one curtain call.
“The Fool House.” 20 min. On at 8.00. F.S. This is the first time this act has played this house since 1904. At that time, I believe, it made a big hit; but after the tremendous bills we have had recently, they did not score as strong as we expected they would. One plays the part of an old man, another an elevator-boy, the third, a booby, and the fourth, a woman, the soubrette. There is a good line of talk. The acrobatic work of the young man and the dancing of the young lady carry the act, the latter being especially good. The close was strong.
6 trained bears that were about as genuine a frost as anything we have ever had in the house. At the matinee they barely got through and at night they failed to make good in any sense of the term. I have not received the salary for this act yet but if it is very much I fear we are cheated so far as Columbus is concerned. At the finish of the act last night there was not a single ‘hand’ a most remarkable feat for a closing act in this house. They perform a few stunts but none of them seem to excite the slightest interest except where one animal stands on its head after which stunt there was a little half-hearted applause. I thought that perhaps the act was so good that my patrons were nonpulsed with its merit but when I inquired among a few I changed my mind. Rocky Pass 11 minutes.
