DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 14, 1904 - November 21, 1904

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 14, 1904 - November 21, 1904

Page 205

Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of October 31, 1904. (Charles Lovenberg, Manager.)
The show today seemed to drag; probably as much the fault of the audience as the performers. We didn't have our usual Monday afternoon crowd, due possibly to the agitation of Election coming so shortly now, but I ascribe it to the fact of the curiosity of the opening of the "Park Music Hall" with Burlesque and Vaudeville, that they have taken some of our folks. I understand they have a big sale for tonight. Regarding our bill, however; I hardly think it has the strength of those which preceded it this season.

Carlo's Dogs.  This is an act by a man who is an equilibrist and uses the dogs perched upon his hand and working in other various ways  with him. Very neat and clean and from the three per day standpoint is all right. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows.

Crowley & Foley.  Talking comedians, singers and dancers. All alleged. They have nothing whatever to recommend them and the act is decidedly bad. Their gags they told were all of ten years old, the singing was bad, and their dancing fair. 14 min. in one, three shows.

Taylor & Orletta.  This is a sketch depending principally upon the singing which from a three per day standpoint, is all right. Should be rated as good in an early place on the bill. 15 min. open in three, can close in one, 3 shows.

Cain & DeForrest.  This is a new addition to the old "Mitchell & Cain" act and I rather think this is the better of the two. It went very well indeed with this afternoon's audience. 14 min. in 1, 3 shows.

Earl & Earl.  Banjoists. These men are not as good as I had been led to expect. They make lots of noise and do a lot of hard work but the music isn't there and they simply got by nicely today: although in an easy spot failed to make the hit credited to them in other cities. 14 min. in one, 2 shows.

Hines & Remington.  There is no use talking about this act being of any value at all in this house. The first-half of their turn fell decidely flat. In spots they brightened up and went well but the audience were perfectly willing to let them go at the finish. 18 min. in one, 2 shows.

Ryan & Richfield.  In the same act they had here last year "Mike Haggerty's Daughter". Ryan is very artistic and the act is good and would have been thoroughly all right in the show if we had had more new material. I should want a new act from them another year. 26 min. full stage, 2 shows.

Adamini & Taylor.  "Wandering Minstrels". This act is all right for the money and had I been able to have put them on, in HInes & Remington's place, they would have gone much stronger but they hardly were able to hold down their place on the bill. At their salary they are all right and should be rated as good but are not good enough to go on later than 9:15 in this house, at least. 14 min. in one, 2 shows.

Staley & Birbeck.  "Musical Blacksmiths" Transformation Act. These people drew the first blood of the afternoon, in the way of making anything like a hit. The act is an exceptionally strong one and no doubt will create an awful amount of talk and what business we do, this week, will be due to them, more than to any other three acts on the bill. 10

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Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of October 31, 1904. (Charles Lovenberg, Manager.) The show today seemed to drag; probably as much the fault of the audience as the performers. We didn't have our usual Monday afternoon crowd, due possibly to the agitation of Election coming so shortly now, but I ascribe it to the fact of the curiosity of the opening of the "Park Music Hall" with Burlesque and Vaudeville, that they have taken some of our folks. I understand they have a big sale for tonight. Regarding our bill, however; I hardly think it has the strength of those which preceded it this season. Carlo's Dogs. This is an act by a man who is an equilibrist and uses the dogs perched upon his hand and working in other various ways with him. Very neat and clean and from the three per day standpoint is all right. 10 min. full stage, 3 shows. Crowley & Foley. Talking comedians, singers and dancers. All alleged. They have nothing whatever to recommend them and the act is decidedly bad. Their gags they told were all of ten years old, the singing was bad, and their dancing fair. 14 min. in one, three shows. Taylor & Orletta. This is a sketch depending principally upon the singing which from a three per day standpoint, is all right. Should be rated as good in an early place on the bill. 15 min. open in three, can close in one, 3 shows. Cain & DeForrest. This is a new addition to the old "Mitchell & Cain" act and I rather think this is the better of the two. It went very well indeed with this afternoon's audience. 14 min. in 1, 3 shows. Earl & Earl. Banjoists. These men are not as good as I had been led to expect. They make lots of noise and do a lot of hard work but the music isn't there and they simply got by nicely today: although in an easy spot failed to make the hit credited to them in other cities. 14 min. in one, 2 shows. Hines & Remington. There is no use talking about this act being of any value at all in this house. The first-half of their turn fell decidely flat. In spots they brightened up and went well but the audience were perfectly willing to let them go at the finish. 18 min. in one, 2 shows. Ryan & Richfield. In the same act they had here last year "Mike Haggerty's Daughter". Ryan is very artistic and the act is good and would have been thoroughly all right in the show if we had had more new material. I should want a new act from them another year. 26 min. full stage, 2 shows. Adamini & Taylor. "Wandering Minstrels". This act is all right for the money and had I been able to have put them on, in HInes & Remington's place, they would have gone much stronger but they hardly were able to hold down their place on the bill. At their salary they are all right and should be rated as good but are not good enough to go on later than 9:15 in this house, at least. 14 min. in one, 2 shows. Staley & Birbeck. "Musical Blacksmiths" Transformation Act. These people drew the first blood of the afternoon, in the way of making anything like a hit. The act is an exceptionally strong one and no doubt will create an awful amount of talk and what business we do, this week, will be due to them, more than to any other three acts on the bill. 10