YRR 2. Not as good as Jewell’s. The features of this act are a Papinta fire dance by a manikin and a trained dog being worked by a manikin master. The act is short, and five minutes of the thirteen are devoted to a spectacular real water fountain display, which did not seem to greatly appeal to the audience. A good act for the children holiday week, but cannot compare with Jewell’s or Holdin’s. 13 mins. Special set.
2 shows, 14 min. full stage. This is a “sloppy weather” sort of act, not in the same class as Holdins, and away behind Jewell’s, both in regard to the working of the marionettes and the spectacular display at the finish. Will keep it where the children can see it.
First act on the bill that really got any applause. Comparing this man and the price with Jewell’s, it could be cleaned as a better act. Received applause throughout with fairly good hand on the finish. 16 min
This is the most elaborate act, of the kind, we have ever had. It does not contain the comedy which Holdin’s did but has a greater number of figures and some very elaborate scenery and electrical effects, notable features of which are the Serpentine dance with the pictures thrown on the dancer and other various evolutions just as one sees the human dancer perform and the live dog which is introduced and is put through some tricks by the Marionette clown. This is a very attractive bit and the prismatic fountains and transformation scene are really beautiful. The act is bound to create talk and draw money. 14 min. full stage, 2 shows.
2 shows, 21 min. full stage. Ventriloquil comedian, introducing a wonderful number of mechanical automatons, which he manages to manipulate in a clever manner. Scored the laughing hit of the bill, getting three or more curtain calls.
YRR 2. 14 minutes. The act is similar to Holden’s. The general fitting up of the act is great. While Holden uses more figures than this man, Holden’s not as novel. Powell introduces Russian and skirt dances with stereopticon views thrown on the costumes, which has never been seen here. The act closes with a transformation scene, in which he introduces a fountain with colored lights, making a very pretty picture. It is exceptionally strong act.
This man’s name should be spelled Bernar. He bills himself the Great Bernar, King of Marionettes. The act is also called Bernar’s fantastic fantouches. This act was a great surprise. I consider the act better than Jewell’s or Holden’s. While the man comes out and announces that he will work the act alone, from the standpoint of the audience no one would know but that half a dozen people were working theme. The stage setting is clean and well arranged. The boxes contain figures that work and a complete orchestra, with the musical director working throughout the act as in Jewell’s act. This man presents a regular vaudeville show. The first number is a foot-juggler, who uses a barrel similar to the Japanese. The second artist is a magician, who accomplishes some really wonderful tricks, the best I have ever seen. The third number is an equilibrist and juggler. The fourth is two musical clowns with sleigh bells on their hands and feet, who play a tune in conjunction with the orchestra, and do it nicely. The next number is an equestrienne on a horse. The performance closes with a ballet of six girls with their costumes full of electric lights as in Harndin’s Ballett. I would consider the act excellent. I believe it can hold down any spot on any bill, and from this afternoon’s performance I would prefer it to any manikin act I have ever played. F.S. Special set. 13 min.
This act lacks something, can’t say just what it is I think the people are liable to wonder just how it is done and creates a little interest in that way and is amusing, in a mild form for the children. If it was getting about one-half the salary and doing 3 shows, I would class it as a good act. 8 min. in 1, can work in 2, 2 shows.
First time here. The musical mystery. Act opens with a mechanical figure seated on a chair playing a zither in an accompaniment to a lady singing, who has a very mild but sweet soprano voice. The next selection is played by TOTO on the piano with the lady playing the zither. The applause after each selection was very light, showing that Toto is not acceptable. 12 min, drapery in two, 2 shows.
2 shows, 21 min, full stage. This is not the proper position for an act of this sort. We were unable to work them earlier owing to their late arrival today. It is an exceptionally good act of this sort, and we will close the show for the remainder of the week in the afternoon with them and gather what juveniles we can after school hours.
