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 273

CRITICISM OF SHOW.
KEITH'S THEATRE,PHILA., PA.
MAY 25TH

Sidonia-3 shows-12 mins.-Gar. in 3-Man, in a good "little" slack wire act;opensin tramp comedy,which is good,even if it is stolen,as New York says;makes a slight change to tights, and finishes well, riding bicycle on wire.

Nugent & Jones-3 shows-12 mins. in one-Two men-local act-price,HR.-in sidewalk  conversation; rather rough act. Had to cut some of their conversation, and may close them to-night.

Myers Sisters-3 shows-12 mins. in one-Two girls-local act,booked by Mr. Jordan--price,Hr.-singing and dancing;make a nice appearance;good "small" act.

Juggling Doyle-3 shows-15 mins.-Gar in 3-Man, doing juggling work straight; was a little careless to-day, but is full of life and ginger, and has a good act for the early bill.

Al. Lawrence-3 shows-12 mins. in one-mimetic comedian. Lawrence is always good; and to-day he was very good.

Pantzer Trio-3 shows-13 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-second time here. The mother of the girls, who plays the piano, detracts from the act,otherwise it is the best contortion act we have ever had. The work of the two girls and man is excellent.

The Brittons-3 shows-15 mins. in one-Man and woman,coons,doing the regulation coon stuff in one, and are, perhaps, better than the average that we get. Very lively act.

Trovollo-2 shows-15 mins.-spec. set in 3-close in one-Ventriloquist. He introduces walking figures that are good. He has some good jokes; but Reynard has this act beaten a mile. However, this act is not at all bad.

Marion P. Littlefield-2 shows-10 mins. in one-Soloist. The girl's appearance is a little against her, and her entrance is somewhat awkward, due, perhaps,to nervousness. She has a sweet voice, and more than made good with the audience,being received with liberal applause.

Howard Thurston-2 shows-15 mins.-Spec. set in 5-Illusionist. The act was repeatedly rehearsed, and went very smoothly,with the exception of one or two "kinks". One of the balloons bursted; and the fountain trick started before he was ready for it. Thurston has six illusions that are excellent. When worked  properly they will surpass anything that I have ever seen from a mystifying point of view. As the act stands now, the action is slow,and,I believe, the only solution is to introduce a number of smaller tricks--such as "growing flowers,etc.,and sand-wich in between the "big" illusions. This could be easily accomplished, and it would inject into the act that life and action which it now lacks. Thurston is naturally a little slow and methodical in his movements, but his assistants could be depended on to create this action by bringing in and carrying out the necessary paraphernalia to perform the tricks. If sufficient time was given to the act, I am sure that it could be made the very best of the kind in the business.

Beatrice Moreland-2 shows-12 mins. in one-Monologist,with a "sing-song" voice. This woman has a good appearance, and can tell stories in an inter3esting way. She succeeded in entertaining the audience after a fashion, but made no phenomenal hit. However, she was well received.

Martine Bros.-2 shows-14 mins.-Pal.  in 4-Two men, using the bounding net. I think,perhaps,the act is a little weak for the place. It would be a good act earlier on the bill. They wind up with sixty somersaults in the bounding net,and succeeded in making good.

Jas. J Morton-2 shows-15 mins. in one-The same old crazy talking act that is always good. As a laughing hit, he shared honors with McIntyre & Heath.

Parker's Dogs-2 shows-10 mins.-Gar. in 4-Probably the liveliest dog act we play. very good.

McIntyre & Heath-2 shows-30 m ins.-Wood in one-Landscape in 4-"The Georgia Minstrels." These artists need no comment. They went fully as well as they always do, and kept the audience in continual laughter.

Vitagraph-2 shows-20 mins.-Sheet in one-A fair selection of views, without our usual spectacular film. We miss it greatly; and should have one every week,if for no other reason than to draw the children.

The show on a whole is excellent. There is but one very weak spot that will probably be eliminated to-night. There may have to be a little rearrangement, but this is a small matter.

H. A. DANIELS.

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CRITICISM OF SHOW. KEITH'S THEATRE,PHILA., PA. MAY 25TH Sidonia-3 shows-12 mins.-Gar. in 3-Man, in a good "little" slack wire act;opensin tramp comedy,which is good,even if it is stolen,as New York says;makes a slight change to tights, and finishes well, riding bicycle on wire. Nugent & Jones-3 shows-12 mins. in one-Two men-local act-price,HR.-in sidewalk conversation; rather rough act. Had to cut some of their conversation, and may close them to-night. Myers Sisters-3 shows-12 mins. in one-Two girls-local act,booked by Mr. Jordan--price,Hr.-singing and dancing;make a nice appearance;good "small" act. Juggling Doyle-3 shows-15 mins.-Gar in 3-Man, doing juggling work straight; was a little careless to-day, but is full of life and ginger, and has a good act for the early bill. Al. Lawrence-3 shows-12 mins. in one-mimetic comedian. Lawrence is always good; and to-day he was very good. Pantzer Trio-3 shows-13 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-second time here. The mother of the girls, who plays the piano, detracts from the act,otherwise it is the best contortion act we have ever had. The work of the two girls and man is excellent. The Brittons-3 shows-15 mins. in one-Man and woman,coons,doing the regulation coon stuff in one, and are, perhaps, better than the average that we get. Very lively act. Trovollo-2 shows-15 mins.-spec. set in 3-close in one-Ventriloquist. He introduces walking figures that are good. He has some good jokes; but Reynard has this act beaten a mile. However, this act is not at all bad. Marion P. Littlefield-2 shows-10 mins. in one-Soloist. The girl's appearance is a little against her, and her entrance is somewhat awkward, due, perhaps,to nervousness. She has a sweet voice, and more than made good with the audience,being received with liberal applause. Howard Thurston-2 shows-15 mins.-Spec. set in 5-Illusionist. The act was repeatedly rehearsed, and went very smoothly,with the exception of one or two "kinks". One of the balloons bursted; and the fountain trick started before he was ready for it. Thurston has six illusions that are excellent. When worked properly they will surpass anything that I have ever seen from a mystifying point of view. As the act stands now, the action is slow,and,I believe, the only solution is to introduce a number of smaller tricks--such as "growing flowers,etc.,and sand-wich in between the "big" illusions. This could be easily accomplished, and it would inject into the act that life and action which it now lacks. Thurston is naturally a little slow and methodical in his movements, but his assistants could be depended on to create this action by bringing in and carrying out the necessary paraphernalia to perform the tricks. If sufficient time was given to the act, I am sure that it could be made the very best of the kind in the business. Beatrice Moreland-2 shows-12 mins. in one-Monologist,with a "sing-song" voice. This woman has a good appearance, and can tell stories in an inter3esting way. She succeeded in entertaining the audience after a fashion, but made no phenomenal hit. However, she was well received. Martine Bros.-2 shows-14 mins.-Pal. in 4-Two men, using the bounding net. I think,perhaps,the act is a little weak for the place. It would be a good act earlier on the bill. They wind up with sixty somersaults in the bounding net,and succeeded in making good. Jas. J Morton-2 shows-15 mins. in one-The same old crazy talking act that is always good. As a laughing hit, he shared honors with McIntyre & Heath. Parker's Dogs-2 shows-10 mins.-Gar. in 4-Probably the liveliest dog act we play. very good. McIntyre & Heath-2 shows-30 m ins.-Wood in one-Landscape in 4-"The Georgia Minstrels." These artists need no comment. They went fully as well as they always do, and kept the audience in continual laughter. Vitagraph-2 shows-20 mins.-Sheet in one-A fair selection of views, without our usual spectacular film. We miss it greatly; and should have one every week,if for no other reason than to draw the children. The show on a whole is excellent. There is but one very weak spot that will probably be eliminated to-night. There may have to be a little rearrangement, but this is a small matter. H. A. DANIELS.