Gertrude Van Dyke Trio

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Miss Van Dyke, formerly a "single," has added a pianist and a comedian. The comedian, Ray Fern, is very present in the act. Fern and Miss Van Dyke opened with a "patter" song. They finish with the singing of a prison scene from "Faust" in "ragtime."
The act was the applause hit on Sunday's bill.
Fern is the type of comedian who wins over his audience because he truly enjoys what he does. The audience feels he is ad libbing; he effectively hides the "machinery" of the act. Miss Van Dyke's straight and double-voiced singing are sufficiently contrasting tot he comedian's contributions. The pianist was an effective, unobtrusive addition. However, he should not dress in the green corduroy suit.
Source:
Variety 24:12 (11/25/1911)