Co-discoverer with Peary of the North Pole. It was quite evident this afternoon that Henson had drawn us some money, but he probably got more advance advertising than any act we ever played. The act seemed to interest the people, but it has to be handled in a peculiar way and a great deal of trouble was taken in this theater to present it to the best possible advantage. If he were billed in an ordinary way and then sent out on the stage to give his lecture without proper presentation and preparation, I would doubt his vaudeville value. As it is, it seems to me that he will be a good attraction, if not paid too large a salary to make it possible to surround him by a first class show. Of course, I am only guessing his value. I will know more about that on Saturday night. 23 Min. in One.
Magician. 13 minutes in one. Doing a monologue supplemented by some simple card manipulations and a few very elementary pocket tricks.
Monologist. 13 minutes in one. The hit of the show.
Banjo solos and monologue performers. Billy is about the last of the old-time negro minstrels, but he seems to hold his own very well indeed and keeps well up to the times. He went very good this afternoon and I look for him to go even better with a night audience. 20 minutes in one.
Went well. Mr. Henson is the man who accompanied Peary to the North Pole and offers an illustrated talk on incidents of polar exploration that is good entertainment. First appearance and should improve as the week goes on. Ought to prove a drawing card. In one. Time 11 minutes.
“27 Months in the Arctic”. This man spent a great deal of time with both Cook and Peary, talks the Eskimo language and is as familiar with the arctic as any of the other explorers. He took about five minutes in introductory talk, then showed about 50 slides with the stereopticon, illustrating scenes in the polar regions. Closed with a scene we built for him and showed and explained an exhibition of the animals, sleds, dogs and many things showing the habits and customs of the people. He will draw us a splendid large patronage all week and is a hit. Opens in one, and closes full stage.
Mr. Morrell went first rate with the audience, principally because of his singing. We have had some worse monologists. 17 Min. in One.
Mr. Bruno was available, at small money, and I needed a little more time and put him in. Regardless of this, Mr. Bruno made a hit. To my mind he is one of the best, if not the very best, dialectitian on the vaudeville stage. Some of his stories were old, some were new, which applies to most monologuists. In the early 2-a-day spot he gets away all right and could be depended upon, I think, up to nine o’clock. Should advice securing him while he may be had cheap. 12 Min. in 1, 2 shows.
Country Girl Monologist. Her laugh is contagious and is a hit; she carries her audience with her from the start; the character of her songs and talk being new, she makes a decided success of her effort. Has a thorough control over her voice intonations; works in one. Time 20 minutes.
