Will Rogers
On at 3:10, 10 min. full stage. Rogers held the interest in very good shape this afternoon and his talk livened up matters a bit and got quite a few laughs.
Benjamin Chapin
In “At the White House.” On at 2:19, 34 min. full stage. This act is not in anything like the shape it was in when it played Boston two seasons’ ago. The supporting company is not nearly so strong and Mr Chapin’s work seemed to lack the earnestness and forcefulness of that time. His explanation is that he has not been working for several weeks but whatever the reason it failed to arouse great interest and all the curtains on the tableaux were forced. This, with the preceding act, sort of put a crimp in the show at the start.
Browning and Lavan
On at 2:08, 11 min. in 1. This team in a sketch “The Recruiting Officer,” which according to reports been doing well everywhere during the season, fell down badly here this afternoon, but it seemed to go on beaten from the short and failed to arouse any enthusiasm and had a quiet finish. Went much better to-night.
3 Donals
On at 1:59, 9 min. full stage. These men have a good appearance and some of the feats they do on the rings and in lifting are really great, but the act went slow this afternoon and failed to arouse enthusiasm as one might expect from it.
Bert Shepherd
The Shepherd act, from the audience standpoint, is fully as good as Fred Lindsay’s. From the manager’s standpoint it is better, because it doesn’t cost nearly as much. He held the closing spot most satisfactorily, receiving much applause for his closing feats with the whip. I am inclined, however, to believe that three or four of what appear to be his most skillful tricks, are faked. Some of the audience didn’t believe in the apple cutting and a request on our part to have it passed among the audience before cutting met with a flat refusal. I am also skeptical of the bottle and silver quarter tricks. However, if he fools the audience it all right. 10 Min. F.S.
Geo. Beban & Co.
In “The Sign of the Rose”. This is one of the most beautiful plays, if not THE most beautiful, ever done in vaudeville and it made a decided hit with audience and there is no question but that it will draw money. Mr. Beban is entitled to credit for his individual work and for the manner in which he has mounted the play, but he ought to be spanked for the company he gives for his support at the salary he receives. After having seen Frank Sheridan play the detective, the present man seems dire. Neither is the leading woman adequate. No doubt this will pass largely unnoticed, but it seems to me for the money we are paying that we are entitled to much better. 25 Min. F.S.
Fred Duprez
Songs, parodies and stories. Spending value for the money. While a great deal of his material is old, he got it over in good shape and made them laugh. 20 Min. in One.
Four Huntings
First appearance in this house in several years and they made an unqualified hit. There seems to me to be one new man in the act, who was excruciatingly funny. He made me laugh and that is going some. 22 Min. F.S. Can do a short close in One.
Kenny, McGahan & Platt
Singing and comedy talking act. Not a first class act by any means and not, to my mind, worth the money. I moved them up to this spot, exchanging places with Fred Duprez, as they were not strong enough for the lower place. 18 Min. in One.
Madden & Pitxpatrick
Two men in a semi-dramatic sketch. There is not as much seriousness in this as I had expected; in fact there is quite a little good comedy, some good trick piano playing and a song. To say that the act made a hit would be very mild. I consider it exceptionally good; in fact, sufficiently so to go on in the middle of the bill in any house. 28 Min. F.S.