On at 3:58, 15 min, in 1. Although it is only eight weeks since Morton was here before, and we would not have given him a return so soon had it been possible to find anything else to fill this spot, I must acknowledge that he went as well as ever. He is certainly a big favourite with our patrons.
On at 2:49, 23 min, full stage. Playing “My Wife’s Diamonds”, their new protean sketch. This act went better than I expected, in act Miss Cotton made what might be called a hit, although her voice was bad. It seems a pity that she is tied to such a bad actor as Long. He told me today that he had heard the act had been knocked, and wanted me to hive him my frank opinion as to what the real reason was. I must confess I lacked the nerve to tell him he was “it”. I do not think anybody need be afraid to play the act, for it will get by in almost any show.
Their first appearance in this house, and they fairly well. I consider them clever girls and was much surprised that they did not score more heavily. They are full of life and there isn’t a dull moment in their act. Still, their finish was weak, with not enough applause to even steal a boy. However, I think it wise to charge part of their non-success to an audience that had not got warmed up. I would not be afraid to put them on at 3 and 8:40, for I think they would do better further down the bill than in the sport they had today.
On at 1:40, 9 min, full stage; 3 shows. Man and woman in an acrobatic comedy act, in which the woman does the understanding. An excellent 3-a-day, and is good enough to open in some of the smaller cities. The work that they do is better than their appearance, the things that the act seems to lack most being polish in the way of better costuming and smoothness in their routine of work.
Time 26. Open C.D.F. Close in 1. Presenting ‘A Dream of Baby Days.’ This is a very funny oddity, with a lot of great lines built about the huge size of the two comediennes. The singing is first class. The finale with Miss Johnson as Buster Blue and Miss Hayes as Little Tootie, both in baby clothes leave the audiences screaming.
Open C.D.F. Close in 1. 2 men/black face comedy and Blanche Davenport. Time 25. Good singing/fair comedy, and a little excellent instrumental music. The audience appeared to be well pleased throughout, but the act would be greatly improved if about ten minutes shorter and the horse play cut out.
15 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:45. Advance hand. This is a very showy act. Mme. Marrder knows how to present her act in a most brilliant style, although the stunts of the horse are not so wonderful. The horse is a very beautiful animal, doing the regulation feats of marching, dancing, etc, to good applause. Finishes with a brilliant butterfly dance with stereopticon lights, making an effective finish.
15 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 7:57. One works tramp after the style of Nat Wills, the other costumed as Station Agent. Line of talk is breezy although a little coarse at times. Carry their own drop representing a flat car on a side track. The vocal work is good and gets applause. The tramp winds up the act with some good eccentric dancing. Strong applause at the finish and two curtain calls.
Coloured S. & D.: 12 min. in 1. 3 shows. On at 7:22. A good swift coon act with some bright talk. Songs are well chosen and delivered in a very sprightly manner. The man is a good deal of a comedian in facial contortion. This act proved very much better than we thought it would.
Acrobatic. 10 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 9:43. Three men, two working straight and the other eccentric, all of them skillful and clever. The comedy is good and the feats exceptionally brilliant. Very much improved since last time here. Big applause after each on of their difficult feats. Rousing big hand at the finish, and curtain call. This act can hold any spot when a finished athletic feature is wanted.
