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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1
Page 124a
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2. Phila. VIOLET BLACK & COMPANY, "A West Point Regulation":- 18 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:01. This act is a little disappointing. It is slender in theme, concerning itself with a proposal of an army officer to a young lady, who previously rejects her young cousin, who is hidden meantime behind the piano. There are some good laughs throughout the act and it is not until it is half over that the audience really shows any particular enthusiasm. Miss Black is not particularly attractive, but she has a certain amount of personality, a vivacious manner and a sweet voice. Her support is not over-strong. In fact, the boy is sometimes very crude and amateurish. The finish of the act was quite satisfactory. Took two curtain calls. As a headline feature this does not come up to the requirements, but for the revised spot on the bill, as seen above, held its own. HOWARD & HOWARD, Comedians:- 20 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:19. Two men, one working straight and the other Hebrew messenger boy. Songs and bright lines, all of which got the audience quite strong. Could be relied upon to hold any place on the bill. The Hebrew character work is some of the best ever. BARTHOLDY'S COCKATOOS, Bird-act:- 10 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:39. Man and woman both in Oriental costumes of much richness and beauty. The paraphernalia adds a great deal of interest to this act which must be described as novel and interesting in every particular. They are about 20 birds of the cockatoo and parrot variety and they perform various stunts such as turning on horizontal bars, riding a miniature bicycle and various evolutions on whirling apparatuses balanced on the performer's chin. The birds show a rare intelligence and training. It is certainly an act that delights all, but particularly women and children. There was considerable applause throughout, and the finish was good. It is one of those acts that are quietly enjoyed rather than received with much demonstration. FOUR SINGING COLLEENS, Vocalistes:- 11 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:49. Four pretty girls in becoming patriotic costumes. Their solos were not particularly brilliant, but their ensemble work shows long training, and every number was heartily appreciated and applauded. The blending of the voices is particularly sweet and sympathetic, and the closing medley was immense. LUCY & LUCIER, "The Fool's Errand":-2 20 min. F.S. close in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:01. A very pleasant surprise. These people got them laughing in half a minute and it went on to a perfect roar. The woman works straight and the man in a messenger boy costume. There are some of the brightest and most original lines heard in any act for a long time. The man is certainly a character comedian of a rare ability. The act is a little bit rough at times and there is no doubt of its being an immense scream. The close in 1 about three minutes is one of the most uproarous bits of humor ever seen on any stage. It had the audience going as is very rarely seen in this house. Close in a perfect storm of laughter. Went down the bill and very properly, after the first performance. TWO MISCHIEVOUS BOYS:-Amusing pictures of the conventional "bad boy" variety and a fairly good closer, to the Kinetograph list. Altogether, the pictures this week were quite up to the standard. GENERAL REMARKS:-This show ran about as we anticipated, judging from reports from other houses, with possible exception, LUCY & LUCIER who were a surprise, all the more so because their sketch leads off so unpromisingly. One such a feature would save a bill of a far lower order of general merit. The NIGHTONS being a very interesting, but quiet act, went up the bill to give the more sensational BORDEVERRY feature the closing spot. The papers this morning divide honors between BORDEVERRY, GEORGE EVANS, and LUCY & LUCIER. Good theatre weather, and in spite of heavy opposition this week, business excellent.
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2. Phila. VIOLET BLACK & COMPANY, "A West Point Regulation":- 18 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:01. This act is a little disappointing. It is slender in theme, concerning itself with a proposal of an army officer to a young lady, who previously rejects her young cousin, who is hidden meantime behind the piano. There are some good laughs throughout the act and it is not until it is half over that the audience really shows any particular enthusiasm. Miss Black is not particularly attractive, but she has a certain amount of personality, a vivacious manner and a sweet voice. Her support is not over-strong. In fact, the boy is sometimes very crude and amateurish. The finish of the act was quite satisfactory. Took two curtain calls. As a headline feature this does not come up to the requirements, but for the revised spot on the bill, as seen above, held its own. HOWARD & HOWARD, Comedians:- 20 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:19. Two men, one working straight and the other Hebrew messenger boy. Songs and bright lines, all of which got the audience quite strong. Could be relied upon to hold any place on the bill. The Hebrew character work is some of the best ever. BARTHOLDY'S COCKATOOS, Bird-act:- 10 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:39. Man and woman both in Oriental costumes of much richness and beauty. The paraphernalia adds a great deal of interest to this act which must be described as novel and interesting in every particular. They are about 20 birds of the cockatoo and parrot variety and they perform various stunts such as turning on horizontal bars, riding a miniature bicycle and various evolutions on whirling apparatuses balanced on the performer's chin. The birds show a rare intelligence and training. It is certainly an act that delights all, but particularly women and children. There was considerable applause throughout, and the finish was good. It is one of those acts that are quietly enjoyed rather than received with much demonstration. FOUR SINGING COLLEENS, Vocalistes:- 11 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:49. Four pretty girls in becoming patriotic costumes. Their solos were not particularly brilliant, but their ensemble work shows long training, and every number was heartily appreciated and applauded. The blending of the voices is particularly sweet and sympathetic, and the closing medley was immense. LUCY & LUCIER, "The Fool's Errand":-2 20 min. F.S. close in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:01. A very pleasant surprise. These people got them laughing in half a minute and it went on to a perfect roar. The woman works straight and the man in a messenger boy costume. There are some of the brightest and most original lines heard in any act for a long time. The man is certainly a character comedian of a rare ability. The act is a little bit rough at times and there is no doubt of its being an immense scream. The close in 1 about three minutes is one of the most uproarous bits of humor ever seen on any stage. It had the audience going as is very rarely seen in this house. Close in a perfect storm of laughter. Went down the bill and very properly, after the first performance. TWO MISCHIEVOUS BOYS:-Amusing pictures of the conventional "bad boy" variety and a fairly good closer, to the Kinetograph list. Altogether, the pictures this week were quite up to the standard. GENERAL REMARKS:-This show ran about as we anticipated, judging from reports from other houses, with possible exception, LUCY & LUCIER who were a surprise, all the more so because their sketch leads off so unpromisingly. One such a feature would save a bill of a far lower order of general merit. The NIGHTONS being a very interesting, but quiet act, went up the bill to give the more sensational BORDEVERRY feature the closing spot. The papers this morning divide honors between BORDEVERRY, GEORGE EVANS, and LUCY & LUCIER. Good theatre weather, and in spite of heavy opposition this week, business excellent.
Keith-Albee Collection
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