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

Transcribe
Translate

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

Page 243a

243

KRR.--FLORODORA SEXTETTE.--The act went fully as well as last week, and, as a relief from the ordinary song and dance monologue and sketch, seems it can certainly be classed as very good. There can be no question nut that the salary for their act is a big one, but the turn satisfies thoroughly, and I feel that the element of novelty makes it a very acceptable proposition. 15 minutes in full stage.

YRR.--CHARLIE CASE.--Black face comedian in an original monologue. Case has a great deal of the same material that he has used here before, but his peculiar mannerisms and entirely original methods of delivery are always bright and fresh, and he made a distinct hit this afternoon, as he is bound to do every where when placed where an audience will sit and listen to him. 20 minutes in one.

YHR.--FELIX & BARRY.--This sketch is too well known to need any comment. It always goes very strong, and this afternoon was no exception to the rule. 20 minutes in full stage.

GHR.--JESS DANDY.--As usual, Dandy introduced a number of new songs and parodies, and I think was fully as strong as he has ever gone in this house. 19 minutes in one.

GRR.--FLOOD BROS.--Two men in an acrobatic and comedy act. The act is not changed at all since its last presentation here. They did some fairly good acrobatic work and the comedy is not at all offensive, and while the act is not, and never will be, a great one, it can still be considered acceptable considering the price we pay for it. 11 minutes, full stage.

AR.--YEAGER & YEAGER.--Colored man and woman in about the usual style of acting presented by all colored couples. So far as this house is concerned, I was agreeably surprised and disappointed in the act, for I was afraid that it was going to be mediocre, but barring a tendency on the part of the woman to a rather free display of lingerie the act was very satisfactory indeed, and the audience seemed to enjoy it well. 15 minutes in one.

GRR.--MURPHY & WILLARD.--Man and woman in a comedy sketch, in which the man impersonates a sort of happy-go-lucky "rube", and the woman acts as a feeder, and is a very good vocalist. The man is quite an unctuous comedian, and has a method of delivering his lines which reaches the audience every time. I have not played the act for the last two or three years on account of a bad report which I received from the Boston house, and I guess we were the losers in not doing so. 20 minutes in full stage; could close in one if required.

FR.--ARMSTRONO & WRIGHT.--Man and woman in a comedy talking, singing and dancing act which warrants about the same criticism that has been given it in the other house. The man and woman are both fairly good performers, doing nothing whatever offensive. 15 minutes in one.

AR.--LA CIEL.--This is a very ordinary sort of a turn, and can only be classed as fair. It furnishes a pretty good illustration of what we get usually when we undertake to get down to a low salary. I suppose that in the ordinary house the act could be classed as good, but it is so loosely put together and so sort of inferior to other acts of a similar nature that we have played that it can only be classed as fair. 10 minutes, full stage.

KR.--REIDY & CURRIER.--A man and a woman in a singing act. They are both very good singers indeed, but their attempted sketch work is rather tame. However, the dialogue is not offensive at all and serves as a sort of a thread on which to string the solos and duets, and they are both good singers. [16? 18?] minutes in one.

Saving...

243 KRR.--FLORODORA SEXTETTE.--The act went fully as well as last week, and, as a relief from the ordinary song and dance monologue and sketch, seems it can certainly be classed as very good. There can be no question nut that the salary for their act is a big one, but the turn satisfies thoroughly, and I feel that the element of novelty makes it a very acceptable proposition. 15 minutes in full stage. YRR.--CHARLIE CASE.--Black face comedian in an original monologue. Case has a great deal of the same material that he has used here before, but his peculiar mannerisms and entirely original methods of delivery are always bright and fresh, and he made a distinct hit this afternoon, as he is bound to do every where when placed where an audience will sit and listen to him. 20 minutes in one. YHR.--FELIX & BARRY.--This sketch is too well known to need any comment. It always goes very strong, and this afternoon was no exception to the rule. 20 minutes in full stage. GHR.--JESS DANDY.--As usual, Dandy introduced a number of new songs and parodies, and I think was fully as strong as he has ever gone in this house. 19 minutes in one. GRR.--FLOOD BROS.--Two men in an acrobatic and comedy act. The act is not changed at all since its last presentation here. They did some fairly good acrobatic work and the comedy is not at all offensive, and while the act is not, and never will be, a great one, it can still be considered acceptable considering the price we pay for it. 11 minutes, full stage. AR.--YEAGER & YEAGER.--Colored man and woman in about the usual style of acting presented by all colored couples. So far as this house is concerned, I was agreeably surprised and disappointed in the act, for I was afraid that it was going to be mediocre, but barring a tendency on the part of the woman to a rather free display of lingerie the act was very satisfactory indeed, and the audience seemed to enjoy it well. 15 minutes in one. GRR.--MURPHY & WILLARD.--Man and woman in a comedy sketch, in which the man impersonates a sort of happy-go-lucky "rube", and the woman acts as a feeder, and is a very good vocalist. The man is quite an unctuous comedian, and has a method of delivering his lines which reaches the audience every time. I have not played the act for the last two or three years on account of a bad report which I received from the Boston house, and I guess we were the losers in not doing so. 20 minutes in full stage; could close in one if required. FR.--ARMSTRONO & WRIGHT.--Man and woman in a comedy talking, singing and dancing act which warrants about the same criticism that has been given it in the other house. The man and woman are both fairly good performers, doing nothing whatever offensive. 15 minutes in one. AR.--LA CIEL.--This is a very ordinary sort of a turn, and can only be classed as fair. It furnishes a pretty good illustration of what we get usually when we undertake to get down to a low salary. I suppose that in the ordinary house the act could be classed as good, but it is so loosely put together and so sort of inferior to other acts of a similar nature that we have played that it can only be classed as fair. 10 minutes, full stage. KR.--REIDY & CURRIER.--A man and a woman in a singing act. They are both very good singers indeed, but their attempted sketch work is rather tame. However, the dialogue is not offensive at all and serves as a sort of a thread on which to string the solos and duets, and they are both good singers. [16? 18?] minutes in one.