DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, May 11, 1914-July 1, 1915

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, May 11, 1914-July 1, 1915

Page 103

Report of Providence show week of November 9, 1914.
Chas. Lovenberg, Mgr.
Considering the small amount of money paid for the show aside from Schaffer, it is a mighty fine bill. All of the acts excepting one did very well indeed. The indications of business for Schaffer are very good. The advance sale, due to advance working up of course, is as big as we ever had in the theatre, beating Barrymore's record in that regard. But this sale is almost entirely for night performances. Strangely enough the matinee this afternoon was not as big as that of last Monday with Arthur Prince as headliner but with a special effort to be made for matinee business we will probably pull up on that end. I tried an experiment at the matinee of putting Schaffer on fourth,-opening the show with pictures as we usually do,-and the scheme worked with perfect satisfaction. By the time that he goes on the audience is entirely in and he goes on the stage before the audience is satisfied with a lot of previous show and therefore harder to please, which makes his act go better. Also the audience being anxious to see Schaffer are not interested in anything that precedes him and I believe that when he goes on last, the other acts suffer more than if they follow him.
SKATERS BIJOUVE
As nice an act of the kind as we ever played. 10 minutes F. S.
HARRIS & MANION
Two men. One straight and the other a character rube in a dress-suit. This act is something of a disappointment and did not go very well. It may be the anxiety to see Schaffer that hurt them, however, I do not think it is much of an act. 13 minutes in one.
SYLVESTER SCHAFFER
Everything that Schaffer did got applause and the audience seemed thoroughly interested and pleased with his work. He wound up with a big round and three good curtain calls at the finish. He seemed to work much faster here than when I saw him in New York and kept things going in good shape. On account of the smallness of our stage, we had a couple of waits during his act not at all due to him. In that way the act ran a little long. In it's entirety it was just one hour. He has added a little juggling pantomime, which is one of the best things in his act. The act to-night will probably run 55 minutes.
LEW & MOLLIE HUNTING
It may seem that this was a hard place for this act but after such a long period without any talk, I think it was somewhat easy for a capable act. These people have a pleasant turn although not a great one and were satisfactory in this spot. 15 minutes in one.
REGINA CONELLI & CO.
In a [rowdying?] farce that had them roaring in good shape. 20 minutes F. S.
STEPPE? GOODRICH & KING
In their well known singing specialty which made a hit. 17 minutes in one.
ARTHUR BARAT
Balancing act like DeCoe's but if anything more thrilling. 11 minutes F. S.
MOTION PICTURES  O. K.

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Report of Providence show week of November 9, 1914. Chas. Lovenberg, Mgr. Considering the small amount of money paid for the show aside from Schaffer, it is a mighty fine bill. All of the acts excepting one did very well indeed. The indications of business for Schaffer are very good. The advance sale, due to advance working up of course, is as big as we ever had in the theatre, beating Barrymore's record in that regard. But this sale is almost entirely for night performances. Strangely enough the matinee this afternoon was not as big as that of last Monday with Arthur Prince as headliner but with a special effort to be made for matinee business we will probably pull up on that end. I tried an experiment at the matinee of putting Schaffer on fourth,-opening the show with pictures as we usually do,-and the scheme worked with perfect satisfaction. By the time that he goes on the audience is entirely in and he goes on the stage before the audience is satisfied with a lot of previous show and therefore harder to please, which makes his act go better. Also the audience being anxious to see Schaffer are not interested in anything that precedes him and I believe that when he goes on last, the other acts suffer more than if they follow him. SKATERS BIJOUVE As nice an act of the kind as we ever played. 10 minutes F. S. HARRIS & MANION Two men. One straight and the other a character rube in a dress-suit. This act is something of a disappointment and did not go very well. It may be the anxiety to see Schaffer that hurt them, however, I do not think it is much of an act. 13 minutes in one. SYLVESTER SCHAFFER Everything that Schaffer did got applause and the audience seemed thoroughly interested and pleased with his work. He wound up with a big round and three good curtain calls at the finish. He seemed to work much faster here than when I saw him in New York and kept things going in good shape. On account of the smallness of our stage, we had a couple of waits during his act not at all due to him. In that way the act ran a little long. In it's entirety it was just one hour. He has added a little juggling pantomime, which is one of the best things in his act. The act to-night will probably run 55 minutes. LEW & MOLLIE HUNTING It may seem that this was a hard place for this act but after such a long period without any talk, I think it was somewhat easy for a capable act. These people have a pleasant turn although not a great one and were satisfactory in this spot. 15 minutes in one. REGINA CONELLI & CO. In a [rowdying?] farce that had them roaring in good shape. 20 minutes F. S. STEPPE? GOODRICH & KING In their well known singing specialty which made a hit. 17 minutes in one. ARTHUR BARAT Balancing act like DeCoe's but if anything more thrilling. 11 minutes F. S. MOTION PICTURES O. K.