10 min. F.S. This act makes a fine opener. Two men work in “alligator” make-up and do contortion work very skillfully, assisted by a Daschund dog well trained as the baby alligator. Scene set very effective. Two men afterwards appear straight and do some excellent work on the table. Scattered applause throughout and closed well. Could hold a better spot with credit.
An illustrated 20 min. talk entitled “Beneath the Balkans;” A subject now of very timely interest, well given, which held the audience with close interest, well given, which held the audience with close interest and received a good hand at the finish. Dr. Bowker is always good for one week here and was made welcome today. The subject being so very timely, it seems to me that he should be desirable for any thinking audience. 20 min. in one.
Mr. Barnes is popular here and was very well received. The only criticism we have is that too much of his material is old. He should they to get away from the type he has been portraying for a number of years and do something along another line. Perfectly satisfactory in this position, however. In one.
Aerial artists. Five people, 12 minutes in 5, Garden. What this act needs is speed. They do some very clever work, but they take too long doing it. If they should cut their time in half and work their act in six minutes they would get over much better. They carry a little excess baggage in the way of a gentleman who holds a ladder and removes the rigging, and who evidently doesn’t know the moaning of speed as he takes considerable time in all of his undertakings. (Columbus)
Two men, 18 minutes in one. Too light for this spot as they have nothing to offer but very aged jokes, some burlesque, the “Steve” which was put on the market a year ago at least and a few moments of dancing. Their best joke “How does a goat smell?” we cut, while “What grows larger the more you take from it. Answer “A hole,” still remains in the act. The offering will go well with a burlesque show but not where women and children attend frequently as they do in this theatre. They open their act with an impersonation of drunken men and close burlesquing a Mother poem which combination is outside the boundaries of what people here believe good entertainment.
In “A Persian Garden.” 25 minutes. Special in 4. Surrounded by a complete company Miss Osterman presents a tabloid musical comedy with catchy song numbers, expensive costumes and a lot of good wit. It went over nicely at both shows and will prove an acceptable act on any bill.
In “Just Vaudeville.” Man and woman, 11 minutes in one. This team worked the matinee with a parlor set, but their act goes just as well if not better in one, where we put them in evening. Some talk, singing and burlesque imitations. Only a fair act with no exceptional points. It belongs in the position it occupies on our bill. (Indianapolis)
And “The Flying Piano.” Man and woman in a novelty musical offering, the singing and the piano-playing of which is introduced via a grand piano flying through the air. A good act of its kind, but did not go well enough to really hold the feature position. Scattered applause and fairly strong finish. (Open)
Two men and one woman in a comedy skit, “Fixing the Furnace.” An “Ed Hayes” sort of offering. Notwithstanding bad reports, the act entertained quite well and won a lot of laughter, going, in fact, as well as 90% of the comedy acts we play. The idea is novel and the two men manage to extract considerable fun from it. Held attention throughout, finishing fairly strong. Special in 3. 16 min. (Scranton)
“Cello soloist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.” I feared he would be too high class for the Monday matinne [sic] bunch, but, contrary to expectations, he delighted all who heard him. Not much of a showman, but a good, brainy musician, who held his own strictly on his merit, not even requiring “hair” as an adjunct. Played five numbers, all of which went big, taking several bows at the finish. Olio in 1. 14 min. (Pittsburgh)
