Clara Ballerini
10 minutes full stage. An attractive woman who sings, dances, plays a mandolin and does some of the best balancing trapeze work I have ever seen. A feature good enough for any spot on the bill.
The Uessems
17 min. F.S. It is a pity that this act has to follow Hoffmann and close the show, as it belongs up in the body of the bill and is one of the most artistic and skilful acrobatic features ever seen. More people have been added to the act since it was here before and in every way it is perfected and made more interesting. Splendid applause throughout and a smashing finish.
Howard & North
24 min. in one. This sketch went stronger than ever. Really one of the most natural comedy sketches of character in all vaudeville. Held the interest of the audience throughout and made a big finish. It has more heart interest and quite as much comedy, in my estimation, as their former feature, “Those Were Happy Days.”
Gertrude Hoffmann
51 min. There is no doubt that Miss Hoffmann has perfected her act since it was seen here last. It was a great hit in the previous occasion, but this time it showed such perfection and versatility that one cannot help becoming as enthusiastic as the audience certainly was this afternoon. The Blue Danube number was especially fine, and received big applause. In fact, every one of her numbers was well received, and each feature of the act seemed better than the previous one. Her various impersonations included Eddie Foy, Ethel Barrymore, George M. Chan, Eva Tanguay, Ruth St. Denis, Anna Held, Isadora Duncan, Harry Lauder, Valeska Surrat, Alice Lloyd and Eddie Leonard. Miss Hoffmann did not do the Kellermann stunt, although the Kellermann girls won an immense hand with their tank work and their comedy. This is certainly the greatest act in vaudeville, and it is amazing that Miss Hoffman has the endurance to stand the strain. An immense finish with masses of flowers, curtain-calls and a speech.
Will H. Fox
24 min. in one. A mighty interesting and versatile entertainer. Has abundance of original material and does everything extremely well, whether it is telling a story, doing melodramatic travesty, speaking a song or rendering burlesque on the piano. Held the interest of the audience throughout with laughter and applause and made a strong finish. Appears in red broadcloth suit and has a very magnetic personality. An act that would go anywhere with credit.
Those French Girls
11 min. F.S. This is a ripping typical Parisian act. It is beautifully staged with an illuminated set and the work of the girls, whether doing ground tumbling or on the trapeze is immense and gets constant applause. That the French know how to put an act on in an artistic manner, is certainly given strong evidence in this feature. One splendid act, and closed big.
Leo Carrillo
14 min. in one. Made a bigger hit than ever with his Chinese dialect material, his imitations of birds and animals, an automobilist in trouble, etc. A born entertainer, and a man who goes strong on any bill. Abundant applause and a strong finish.
Royal Colibris
10 min. F.S. Three boys, two of them in girl costume, one of them in military. The various ground tumbling and acrobatic stunts show long training. This includes a bounding mat in the form of a bed, and table and chairs. Every stunt got strong applause, and the work of the three rolling about the stage, over and under tables, got immense applause. This certainly makes a ripping opener.
The Four Norins
Fancy swimming and dancing. These people have an act that ought to prove a positive sensation in vaudeville. The argument may be raised that swimming acts are becoming rather chestnutty but here is one that is away beyond all others, and, in my opinion, is the greatest novelty act in vaudeville at the present time. Two men and two women go through a series of fancy dives, some of them almost hair-raising in their execution, that held the audience spellbound today and created more talk than any act we have ever put over in this house. One of the girls does some of the most wonderful diving I have ever seen. The girls are not beauties but they sure can dive. A little subdued comedy is introduced by one of the men that gets some laughs. At the present time the Norins are carrying an equipment of scenery that the artist must have charged by the foot and slapped in all the extras he could. As a result the scenery was altogether too large for our stage and caused a bad wait before we could get the act started this afternoon. On a big stage the scenery, with its cyclorama, its leg drops, the waterfall effect and the other accessories will serve to make this one of the most attractively staged swimming and diving acts in the business. Own set in 4. Time 18 min.
James B. Donovan & Rena Arnold
“The King of Ireland and Queen of Vaudeville.” I have never seen Donovan fall down with an audience yet and I have played him a number of times. He has a personality that makes itself felt and his Irish stories, clean and inoffensive always got over in good shape. Miss Arnold looks nice, dresses becomingly and makes three changes. Our Monday afternoon crowd is coldly critical but Donovan kept them howling for 18 minutes and then had to go back for a 6 min encore that is pretty old but went over in good shape. Street in. time 18 min.