DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 4, 1905 - April 23, 1906

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 4, 1905 - April 23, 1906

Page 144a

PHILADELPHIA SHOW, JAN. 1ST, 1906.    -2-   C. E. BARNS.

"In Cork." Day's work is all right being fresh and clean, and depending upon vulgar hits to bring a laugh. The local hits were clever and applauded. The songs while entirely new to this house, were well chosen and acceptably rendered. All right for this place on the bill. 15 mins. St. in 1.

ALICE PIERCE-2-Impressionist. Miss Pierce worked us up to a high pitch of expectation which did not realize on her first appearance. In the first place, while she has undoubted talent, she is not physically strong enough to carry the big parts, which she attempts, such as Beerbohm Tree Zaza and etc. Her enunciation is not clear cut, and I purposely left the stage box, and retreated to the rear of the house to see if her voice would reach, which it utterly failed to do with any degree of clearness. The imitation of Edna May was quite impossible, for the reason that she either has no voice or else does not know how to sing, and as for its being an imitation, compared with Loftus in the same attempt, it was neither artistic or convincing. Her emotional features were the best, but left her utterly exhausted at the close, showing that the attempt was way beyond her powers, although it showed great appreciation of the role. More than that, we counted on 15 minutes, the last five in 1, but she did barely ten minutes, and refused to go on in 1, as she might have done, though there was scant justification in the applause. It would appear that if Miss Pierce could not win a holiday crowd any stronger than this, she is sure to have difficulties the remainder of the week, and is a very over-estimated and over-paid feature on our bill. 15 mins. C. D.F. in 3, 3 mins. Olio in 1. at night.
EVENING:-Miss Pierce went better to-night, adding her act ( 3 mins. in 1) the English idea of an American coon song. It failed to win strong however, and she left scarcely a hand. She must be moved up the bill.

FREDERIC BOND & CO.-2-In "My Awful Dad." Although this is the third time for this clever sketch, it went just as strong as ever. Bond throws lots of ginger into his work, and shows himself a thorough master of his situations, and his audience. His support was all that could be desired. It is O.K. even with this repetition, which is saying a great deal. 25 mins. Oak Fancy in 3.
N.B.-Bond was one of our property boys in a part formerly taken by a character woman.

LE ROY & WOODFORD-2-Jovial conversationalists. Man and woman well known on the circuit. Coming so soon after their recent engagement here, they should have brought a new suitcase of funny goods, instead of opening up their old carpet sack which showed duplication even to the gestures and eyewinks. People of this kind ought to understand that a house like this has regular year-round patrons, and doubling up on their act within so short a time is too much like plagiarizing on themselves . Act got the laughs all the same, because of an immense suburban contingency, but do not think it will win out so well for the rest of the week, despite of its wit and dash. 15 mins. St. in 1.

SAM WATSON'S FARMYARD-2-This is one of the best children's acts that a vaudeville stage makes possible. Watson comes out dressed in the


that we were compelled to open at 11.30 instead. By 1.15 it was necessary to shut off the crowd, and the promise of the evening crowd is even greater. The show on the whole is a very series of holiday features, being sufficiently diverse, with plenty of fun interspersed. The one weak spot was Alice Pierce, who seemed to be tired after her journey very nervous, in her painfully anxiety to please. She may get her bearings better later in the week.
LATER:-The prediction with regards to the house has made good. At 6.15 there was not a seat left, at 7.15 evey available standing room taken.

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PHILADELPHIA SHOW, JAN. 1ST, 1906. -2- C. E. BARNS. "In Cork." Day's work is all right being fresh and clean, and depending upon vulgar hits to bring a laugh. The local hits were clever and applauded. The songs while entirely new to this house, were well chosen and acceptably rendered. All right for this place on the bill. 15 mins. St. in 1. ALICE PIERCE-2-Impressionist. Miss Pierce worked us up to a high pitch of expectation which did not realize on her first appearance. In the first place, while she has undoubted talent, she is not physically strong enough to carry the big parts, which she attempts, such as Beerbohm Tree Zaza and etc. Her enunciation is not clear cut, and I purposely left the stage box, and retreated to the rear of the house to see if her voice would reach, which it utterly failed to do with any degree of clearness. The imitation of Edna May was quite impossible, for the reason that she either has no voice or else does not know how to sing, and as for its being an imitation, compared with Loftus in the same attempt, it was neither artistic or convincing. Her emotional features were the best, but left her utterly exhausted at the close, showing that the attempt was way beyond her powers, although it showed great appreciation of the role. More than that, we counted on 15 minutes, the last five in 1, but she did barely ten minutes, and refused to go on in 1, as she might have done, though there was scant justification in the applause. It would appear that if Miss Pierce could not win a holiday crowd any stronger than this, she is sure to have difficulties the remainder of the week, and is a very over-estimated and over-paid feature on our bill. 15 mins. C. D.F. in 3, 3 mins. Olio in 1. at night. EVENING:-Miss Pierce went better to-night, adding her act ( 3 mins. in 1) the English idea of an American coon song. It failed to win strong however, and she left scarcely a hand. She must be moved up the bill. FREDERIC BOND & CO.-2-In "My Awful Dad." Although this is the third time for this clever sketch, it went just as strong as ever. Bond throws lots of ginger into his work, and shows himself a thorough master of his situations, and his audience. His support was all that could be desired. It is O.K. even with this repetition, which is saying a great deal. 25 mins. Oak Fancy in 3. N.B.-Bond was one of our property boys in a part formerly taken by a character woman. LE ROY & WOODFORD-2-Jovial conversationalists. Man and woman well known on the circuit. Coming so soon after their recent engagement here, they should have brought a new suitcase of funny goods, instead of opening up their old carpet sack which showed duplication even to the gestures and eyewinks. People of this kind ought to understand that a house like this has regular year-round patrons, and doubling up on their act within so short a time is too much like plagiarizing on themselves . Act got the laughs all the same, because of an immense suburban contingency, but do not think it will win out so well for the rest of the week, despite of its wit and dash. 15 mins. St. in 1. SAM WATSON'S FARMYARD-2-This is one of the best children's acts that a vaudeville stage makes possible. Watson comes out dressed in the that we were compelled to open at 11.30 instead. By 1.15 it was necessary to shut off the crowd, and the promise of the evening crowd is even greater. The show on the whole is a very series of holiday features, being sufficiently diverse, with plenty of fun interspersed. The one weak spot was Alice Pierce, who seemed to be tired after her journey very nervous, in her painfully anxiety to please. She may get her bearings better later in the week. LATER:-The prediction with regards to the house has made good. At 6.15 there was not a seat left, at 7.15 evey available standing room taken.