Offering “The Goal,” a one-act play by Henry Arthur Jones, presented for the first time on any stage. This act to my mind reads much better than it plays. While the story is a very pretty one, it is too talky and has very little action to it, nevertheless, it went quite well this afternoon and managed to get two curtain calls at finish. Would not be a good sketch for Vaudeville in general. Ran 38 minutes this afternoon but will probably be cut down to about 35. For the rest of the week. Interior.
On at 3.58, 27 min, in 1. Miss Victoria’s first engagement outside of New York will, I feel confident, be a great success. She has certainly pleased the Bostonians who have seen her so far, and they are going to send many more to have a look and a listen. Of course, it is an open question whether she is worth $2500 a week or not, and I have my doubts if any vaudeville act ever was or ever will be worth such a figure, but under the circumstances I thought it good judgement to play her here two weeks and still think so; and also think she is going to go even better for us than I had dared hope. It was something of an innovation to hear the patrons of Keith’s Theatre, Boston, joining in the chorus of “The Model”, “Poor John” and “Waiting at the Church”, but they did, and enjoyed it.
On at 3.47, 11 min, full stage. A novelty acrobatic act on parallel wires. It can be classed among the hits of the season in dumb acts, and it is a bargain at $150.
On at 5.16, 8 min, full stage; 3 shows. Two rather good-looking girls who are extremely good exponents of Spanish dancing. Their dancing costumes are very rich and attractive. They can snap the castanets in great shape. Their singing does not amount to a whole lot, but their dancing will carry them by.
On at 1.59, 17 min full stage, 6 min close in 1, 23 min in all. Not the Quaker City Four of the old days by any means. Their singing is not up to the old standard, and they have cut out all instrumental work except Ernst’s guitar-playing. John Healy has incorporated his monologue almost bodily into the act and he succeeds in getting a number of laughs. Would hardly stand a better spot than one or two in the big houses, would probably get by at three or four in the smaller. Of course, the lengthy of time they do is a point in their favor, also the fact of their closing in 1.
On at 1.39, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. Baseball jugglers. An excellent opening act and better than the average of a 3-a-days. Their manipulation of baseballs, bats, and bases is very good, particularly the rapid-fire work with the bats. Comedy element is not particularly strong
Supported by Thomas H. Ince, an excellent actor: Manuel Alexander, and Nicholas Carroll, presenting the very strong dramatic sketch “For Love’s Sweet Sake.” For the vaudeville theaters of the upper crust this act is a gem of the purest water. The acting on the part of Mr. Thompson and Mr. Ince has never been excelled on any stage. It pulls clear to the root of the heart strings. 23 min. FS.
10 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:48. Owing to the sudden illness of Marie Dressler and the cancellation of her engagement for this, her first week, Grace Van Studdiford was called upon to fill the place. This she did brilliantly and to everybody’s satisfaction. Her voice is richer and sweeter than ever, and every one of her three songs got immense applause. With such an excellent substitution as Miss Van Studdiford, we consider ourselves very fortunate. Two curtain calls.
Com. Acro:- 13 min. F.S. 3 shows. On at 7:19 (close in 1 for about 2min.) A rough-and-tumble, slapstick, hit-‘em-again gallery act. Some of the barrell-jumping and somersault work is skillful and clever and receiving good applause, but the comedy is of a lower order.
Colored Entertainers:- 15min. in 1. 3 shows. ON at 6:52. Man and woman, making good presentation, the woman being especially pretty and elaborately gowned. Sing and dance very well. The man is a good deal of a comedian. Good act and could be well placed in the three-a-day section.
