DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

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Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Page 59

59
(M. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of Nov. 17, 1902.
Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in one--Interesting lot of pictures. Owing to the non-appearance of Davis, we had to run it to the limit of all three shows in order to make up lost time.
Le Page and Florence, 3 shows, 11 min., full stage--This is one of the best three-show "sight" act we have had for some time, and makes a stunning opening act. The man is one of the best barrel jumpers, high kickers and vaulters ever seen on this stage at least, this being his first appearance here. The act is costumed neatly and the woman merely assists LePage in arranging the articles used in his act.
Tom Morrisey and Anna Rich, 3 shows, 17 min., full stage-- This is a laugh provoking bit of farce, and makes an excellent turn in the three show section. In the middle show, they do their old act in one, but fill the same time.
Rastus and Banks, 3 shows, 12 min. open full stage, close in one--This couple are not very good singers, and their comedy does not amount to much, but Rastus' tumbling always makes a hit. They finish strong in an early part of the bill.
Mr. and Mrs, Chamberlin, 3 shows, 12 min., full stage-- The work of these people  is something of a novelty, as rope throwing is not familiar to the audiences here in the East. There was not much applause throughout the act, but they got a good hand in the finish.
Sophie Burnham, 3 shows, 9 min. in one--Fairly good singer, but she did not go very strong with this afternoon's audience. Her great drawback is that she lacks personal magnetism.
Harmony Four, 2 shows, 25 min., open full stage, close in one--This was the saving act of the bill; scored a big hit. The Quartet sing about as well as the average, being particularly good in their ensemble work, and one of them is a very good violinist. The Quartet show tremendous improvement over their work when here last.
Bright Brothers, 2 shows, 9 Min. in two-- This act made a splendid contrast to that which preceded it, and went big. I think these men rank next to the DeCourcy Brothers in this line of work.
Gorman and Lawson, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--I cannot see where they fit in the two-show section of the show, as there is nothing among the three turners that is so poor. To be properly placed, they should have been in the morning show, and 

They are poor singers, and their dancing is not sufficiently good to make amends for their shortcomings as vocalists and comedians.
Claudius and Corbin, 3 shows, 11 min. in one -- This is the best duo of banjo players that play this house; always go strong. They held up very well today, although they were on earlier than usual.
Papinta, 2 shows, 14 min., full stage -- It is hard to get a line on this act, for they never applaud it excessively, although I think it pleases them. However, this can be the last week.
John Ford, 2 shows, 10 min. in one -- A great step dancer; scored a solid hit. He will go very strong with the night audiences. Was somewhat handicapped by following Papinta, but his will be obviated on re-arrangement of the show.
Eva Williams and Jac Tucker, 2 shows, 23 min., full stage - I a revival of their first character sketch "Skinny's Finish", which was as well received as ever. They have great personal popularity in this town.
Burmese Foot Jugglers, 2 shows, 14 min., full stage -- This team went just as I expected it would after seeing it in Philadelphia. They did not wake up to its importance until the act was more than half over, and then they tried to make up in applause for their lack of appreciation at the start. It will be talked about this week, and we will get the benefit next.
Biograph -- 4 shows, 15 min. in one -- Fair lot of views, but nothing remarkable.
Keith's orchestra, 2 overtures, 8 minutes each, rendering "Poet and Peasant" with good effect, and were applauded.
Comment:
The show as a whole does not compare favorably with those of the past few weeks, the falling off being in the comedy section. There is too much singing and music to allow of the proper balance. The defection of George Davis, of course, weakened it considerably, and with Mark Sullivan in, it will probably assume a different aspect. There is nothing really bad, with the possible exception of Gorman and Lawson, simply lacks balance.

Saving...

59 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Nov. 17, 1902. Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in one--Interesting lot of pictures. Owing to the non-appearance of Davis, we had to run it to the limit of all three shows in order to make up lost time. Le Page and Florence, 3 shows, 11 min., full stage--This is one of the best three-show "sight" act we have had for some time, and makes a stunning opening act. The man is one of the best barrel jumpers, high kickers and vaulters ever seen on this stage at least, this being his first appearance here. The act is costumed neatly and the woman merely assists LePage in arranging the articles used in his act. Tom Morrisey and Anna Rich, 3 shows, 17 min., full stage-- This is a laugh provoking bit of farce, and makes an excellent turn in the three show section. In the middle show, they do their old act in one, but fill the same time. Rastus and Banks, 3 shows, 12 min. open full stage, close in one--This couple are not very good singers, and their comedy does not amount to much, but Rastus' tumbling always makes a hit. They finish strong in an early part of the bill. Mr. and Mrs, Chamberlin, 3 shows, 12 min., full stage-- The work of these people is something of a novelty, as rope throwing is not familiar to the audiences here in the East. There was not much applause throughout the act, but they got a good hand in the finish. Sophie Burnham, 3 shows, 9 min. in one--Fairly good singer, but she did not go very strong with this afternoon's audience. Her great drawback is that she lacks personal magnetism. Harmony Four, 2 shows, 25 min., open full stage, close in one--This was the saving act of the bill; scored a big hit. The Quartet sing about as well as the average, being particularly good in their ensemble work, and one of them is a very good violinist. The Quartet show tremendous improvement over their work when here last. Bright Brothers, 2 shows, 9 Min. in two-- This act made a splendid contrast to that which preceded it, and went big. I think these men rank next to the DeCourcy Brothers in this line of work. Gorman and Lawson, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage--I cannot see where they fit in the two-show section of the show, as there is nothing among the three turners that is so poor. To be properly placed, they should have been in the morning show, and They are poor singers, and their dancing is not sufficiently good to make amends for their shortcomings as vocalists and comedians. Claudius and Corbin, 3 shows, 11 min. in one -- This is the best duo of banjo players that play this house; always go strong. They held up very well today, although they were on earlier than usual. Papinta, 2 shows, 14 min., full stage -- It is hard to get a line on this act, for they never applaud it excessively, although I think it pleases them. However, this can be the last week. John Ford, 2 shows, 10 min. in one -- A great step dancer; scored a solid hit. He will go very strong with the night audiences. Was somewhat handicapped by following Papinta, but his will be obviated on re-arrangement of the show. Eva Williams and Jac Tucker, 2 shows, 23 min., full stage - I a revival of their first character sketch "Skinny's Finish", which was as well received as ever. They have great personal popularity in this town. Burmese Foot Jugglers, 2 shows, 14 min., full stage -- This team went just as I expected it would after seeing it in Philadelphia. They did not wake up to its importance until the act was more than half over, and then they tried to make up in applause for their lack of appreciation at the start. It will be talked about this week, and we will get the benefit next. Biograph -- 4 shows, 15 min. in one -- Fair lot of views, but nothing remarkable. Keith's orchestra, 2 overtures, 8 minutes each, rendering "Poet and Peasant" with good effect, and were applauded. Comment: The show as a whole does not compare favorably with those of the past few weeks, the falling off being in the comedy section. There is too much singing and music to allow of the proper balance. The defection of George Davis, of course, weakened it considerably, and with Mark Sullivan in, it will probably assume a different aspect. There is nothing really bad, with the possible exception of Gorman and Lawson, simply lacks balance.