DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

Page 220

220
220 (handwritten)

Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Provideence, R. I., Week of January 7, 1907. (Chas. Lovenberg, Mgr.)

The bill this week is not to my satisfaction; it lacks comedy and the big acts, especially the "Polly Pickles' Pets", do not come up to expectation.

LaBelle Trio.
This is about as bad an affair as we have had. Had they not passed through, at some of the other houses, I would have cancelled them after their first show. As it is, the best I can do is to bury them. It is described as a singing, comedy act, neither of which materializes. 16 min. in 1, 3 shows.

Alpha Trio.
Hoop Rollers. These people are all right to open the show; can't say that I think they are worth any better place. If the work was confined to the two men, and the woman left out of the act, it would be better. 18 min. full stage, 3 shows.

Halley & Meehan.
Two men, blackface comedy with a little singing and some good dancing. Comedy got by first rate and the act, as a whole, should be considered good from a 3-a-day standpoint. 13 min. in 1, 3 shows.

Brazil & Brazil.
Acrobatic comedy sketch. Good little act for an unimportant place on the bill; hardly strong enough for the present spot. 10 min. full stage, 2 shows.

The Holdsworths.
Singing, banjo playing and dancing. This is a very reliable 3-a-day act; good enough for an early spot in the 3-a-day section; in fact they made quite a hit, principally upon the verses roasting one another, in their last song. 18 min. in 1, 3 shows.

Ziska & King.
Magic, comedy. This act was a very agreeable surprise. The magician is good both in his work and manner of presentation and the comedian is really funny. went very strong all through. 334 min. open full stage, close in 1, 2 shows.

Alice Davenport & Co.
Dramatic sketch. This act didn't do as well as I expected it would; might say that it got by "fairly well." I wouldn't want to recommend it for anything like an important spot. 17 min. full stage, 2 shows.

Ray Cox.
Coon songs and stories and a little dancing. Miss Cox has improved about 500% since she appeared last. This afternoon she was received with marked approval. The act is good enough to go on at nine o'clock on any bill. I consider her fully as good as Clarice Vance. 13 min. in 1, 2 shows.

Polly Pickles' Pets.
I don't want to give the impression that this is not a good act, but the "possibilities" of it have by no means been brought out. The girls are not clever, the leading soubrette just manages to get by and is not nearly as pretty and dainty a girl as should be  in an act of this kind. The scenery is the second-hand stuff, formerly used in "Kitty Town" and costumes and effects are very cheap. It is very evident that the act is put on with a view of getting the greatest amount of profit out of it, without taking into consideration the Managers at all. It should be laid aside until Mr. Hart presents it in proper shape. With these improvements, I would consider it a "splendid" act. It is bound to appeal to the children and that means business, of course. 34 min. full stage 2 shows.

...He went very well however, got many laughs, but on account of his late position on the bill, found it hard to hold the crowd. 18 min. in 1, 3 shows.

Bellong Brothers.
Head and Hand balancers, also introducing some wonderful feats in the way of balancing with Bicycles. A real sensational novelty; made a hit. 13 min. full stage, 2 shows.

Motion Pictures.
"The Alps Through A Telescope", fairly good.

Saving...

220 220 (handwritten) Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Provideence, R. I., Week of January 7, 1907. (Chas. Lovenberg, Mgr.) The bill this week is not to my satisfaction; it lacks comedy and the big acts, especially the "Polly Pickles' Pets", do not come up to expectation. LaBelle Trio. This is about as bad an affair as we have had. Had they not passed through, at some of the other houses, I would have cancelled them after their first show. As it is, the best I can do is to bury them. It is described as a singing, comedy act, neither of which materializes. 16 min. in 1, 3 shows. Alpha Trio. Hoop Rollers. These people are all right to open the show; can't say that I think they are worth any better place. If the work was confined to the two men, and the woman left out of the act, it would be better. 18 min. full stage, 3 shows. Halley & Meehan. Two men, blackface comedy with a little singing and some good dancing. Comedy got by first rate and the act, as a whole, should be considered good from a 3-a-day standpoint. 13 min. in 1, 3 shows. Brazil & Brazil. Acrobatic comedy sketch. Good little act for an unimportant place on the bill; hardly strong enough for the present spot. 10 min. full stage, 2 shows. The Holdsworths. Singing, banjo playing and dancing. This is a very reliable 3-a-day act; good enough for an early spot in the 3-a-day section; in fact they made quite a hit, principally upon the verses roasting one another, in their last song. 18 min. in 1, 3 shows. Ziska & King. Magic, comedy. This act was a very agreeable surprise. The magician is good both in his work and manner of presentation and the comedian is really funny. went very strong all through. 334 min. open full stage, close in 1, 2 shows. Alice Davenport & Co. Dramatic sketch. This act didn't do as well as I expected it would; might say that it got by "fairly well." I wouldn't want to recommend it for anything like an important spot. 17 min. full stage, 2 shows. Ray Cox. Coon songs and stories and a little dancing. Miss Cox has improved about 500% since she appeared last. This afternoon she was received with marked approval. The act is good enough to go on at nine o'clock on any bill. I consider her fully as good as Clarice Vance. 13 min. in 1, 2 shows. Polly Pickles' Pets. I don't want to give the impression that this is not a good act, but the "possibilities" of it have by no means been brought out. The girls are not clever, the leading soubrette just manages to get by and is not nearly as pretty and dainty a girl as should be in an act of this kind. The scenery is the second-hand stuff, formerly used in "Kitty Town" and costumes and effects are very cheap. It is very evident that the act is put on with a view of getting the greatest amount of profit out of it, without taking into consideration the Managers at all. It should be laid aside until Mr. Hart presents it in proper shape. With these improvements, I would consider it a "splendid" act. It is bound to appeal to the children and that means business, of course. 34 min. full stage 2 shows. ...He went very well however, got many laughs, but on account of his late position on the bill, found it hard to hold the crowd. 18 min. in 1, 3 shows. Bellong Brothers. Head and Hand balancers, also introducing some wonderful feats in the way of balancing with Bicycles. A real sensational novelty; made a hit. 13 min. full stage, 2 shows. Motion Pictures. "The Alps Through A Telescope", fairly good.