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Managers' report book, July 4, 1915-November 13, 1916
Page 226
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REPORT on PROVIDENCE SHOW, WEEK of OCTOBER 2, 1916. CHARLES LOVENBERG, Manager. The bill this week is not nearly so successful as those which have proceeded it this season. Every act is somewhat disappointing and there is no big real hit in the show. Simmons & Bradley Skating act. While these people deserve credit for their effort to get out of the usual rut of skating acts and introduce a number of dances with particularly effective costumes and scenery, the fact remains that their work is not as effective as their former skating act. 9 Minutes Full Stage Mosconi Brothers The Mosconi Brothers are supposed to give us a new act. They are giving two new dances in fantastic costumes, which mean nothing at all, presented with quite an elaborate drop which adds nothing to their work. They finish with their old Charlie Chaplin and man and woman comedy dance which went very well indeed. I would rather have the old act. 8 Minutes In One and a Half. John & Mae Burke This couple give a very marked illustration of how vaudeville has progressed, and some of the old-timers have been left behind while the procession has gone on. This act is very "burlesquey", and I would much rather have seen it in the opposition house than on my own stage. 17 Minutes Opens In One goes to Full Stage, Closes In One. Shannon & Annis & Co. These people have a very pretentious production in two scenes which pleased very well but ought to be surrounded with a strong comedy bill. 20 Minutes. Opens In One, Closes Full Stage. All Special Scenery Lew Wilson I was given to understand that Mr. Wilson was a very funny comedian and got a great many laughs in his act. For the benefit of those who will play him later, I want to say that Mr. Wilson does a very good act indeed, but it is not a laughing one, although there are some laughs in it. Neither is he quite strong enough for his position here on this bill. He belongs about two pegs higher. No one need fear to play him, the only thing to do is to play him under right conditions. 16 Minutes In One. Henrietta Crossman & Co. The business done at the box office Monday afternoon and evening demonstrates to me once more that the people do not want these "has been old-lady stars". Without any particular drawing feature, the first three weeks of our season we opened to big Monday business in warmer weather. On Monday of this week our business dropped a hundred dollars on the day. I am quite sure that the putting up of the names of these old ladies has the decided effect of keeping people out of the theatre rather than to draw them in. I think they have some following but that is more than offset by the people who don't want to see them. I have had this experience now several times, notably, with Mrs. Leslie Carter, Mrs. Langtry, Olga Nethersoll and Fritzi Scheff, and I believe I am thoroughly cured. 21 Minutes Full Stage. Wood & Wyde In a very clever, well played, little skit which has been described before. 17 Minutes In One. Retter Brothers Particularly good act of comedy acrobatics with some novelty. 12 Minutes Full Stage. Motion Pictures O.K. Cuts and Alterations Mosconi Brothers Cut stalling for bows Shannon & Annis & Co Cut joke about road house Henrietta Crossman Co. Cut several damns and line "What did she tell you for." Wood & Wyde Cut "Damn Shame" Joe & Mae Burke Cut "My God" and several damns Retter Brothers Cut thumbing of nose and dropping of trousers
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REPORT on PROVIDENCE SHOW, WEEK of OCTOBER 2, 1916. CHARLES LOVENBERG, Manager. The bill this week is not nearly so successful as those which have proceeded it this season. Every act is somewhat disappointing and there is no big real hit in the show. Simmons & Bradley Skating act. While these people deserve credit for their effort to get out of the usual rut of skating acts and introduce a number of dances with particularly effective costumes and scenery, the fact remains that their work is not as effective as their former skating act. 9 Minutes Full Stage Mosconi Brothers The Mosconi Brothers are supposed to give us a new act. They are giving two new dances in fantastic costumes, which mean nothing at all, presented with quite an elaborate drop which adds nothing to their work. They finish with their old Charlie Chaplin and man and woman comedy dance which went very well indeed. I would rather have the old act. 8 Minutes In One and a Half. John & Mae Burke This couple give a very marked illustration of how vaudeville has progressed, and some of the old-timers have been left behind while the procession has gone on. This act is very "burlesquey", and I would much rather have seen it in the opposition house than on my own stage. 17 Minutes Opens In One goes to Full Stage, Closes In One. Shannon & Annis & Co. These people have a very pretentious production in two scenes which pleased very well but ought to be surrounded with a strong comedy bill. 20 Minutes. Opens In One, Closes Full Stage. All Special Scenery Lew Wilson I was given to understand that Mr. Wilson was a very funny comedian and got a great many laughs in his act. For the benefit of those who will play him later, I want to say that Mr. Wilson does a very good act indeed, but it is not a laughing one, although there are some laughs in it. Neither is he quite strong enough for his position here on this bill. He belongs about two pegs higher. No one need fear to play him, the only thing to do is to play him under right conditions. 16 Minutes In One. Henrietta Crossman & Co. The business done at the box office Monday afternoon and evening demonstrates to me once more that the people do not want these "has been old-lady stars". Without any particular drawing feature, the first three weeks of our season we opened to big Monday business in warmer weather. On Monday of this week our business dropped a hundred dollars on the day. I am quite sure that the putting up of the names of these old ladies has the decided effect of keeping people out of the theatre rather than to draw them in. I think they have some following but that is more than offset by the people who don't want to see them. I have had this experience now several times, notably, with Mrs. Leslie Carter, Mrs. Langtry, Olga Nethersoll and Fritzi Scheff, and I believe I am thoroughly cured. 21 Minutes Full Stage. Wood & Wyde In a very clever, well played, little skit which has been described before. 17 Minutes In One. Retter Brothers Particularly good act of comedy acrobatics with some novelty. 12 Minutes Full Stage. Motion Pictures O.K. Cuts and Alterations Mosconi Brothers Cut stalling for bows Shannon & Annis & Co Cut joke about road house Henrietta Crossman Co. Cut several damns and line "What did she tell you for." Wood & Wyde Cut "Damn Shame" Joe & Mae Burke Cut "My God" and several damns Retter Brothers Cut thumbing of nose and dropping of trousers
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