Variety (Jan 1906)

8 VAftlEtY. :;.:%•■.'^-V •V,-, ^%:^■^'^■':: THE HEAD OF THE HOUSE. Ju8t as I had finished an interesting article in the Ohio Stat© Farmer a rumbling noise was heard in the hall, and The Head of the House appeared in the doorway, with arms akimbo, carry- ing a scowl upon her classic features that would keep a landlord from re- membering the first of the month. "Hey, you!" she howled. "What do you think—that I'm going to let that dinner freeze on the table?" ' "Easy now," says I, not wanting to mix it up with her. "How many times have I waited for you?" "Once only," says she, "and that wasn't my fault. I just forgot all about you, that's all." "Well, that's enough," says I, thinking hard for having it handed so straight. "I'll come out there to eat when I get ready." "Why don't you tell me when you're not hungry?" says she. "It makes a whole lot of difference." "I don't like to see you work, anyway," says I; "it doesn't seem as though you would ever get used to it." "It isn't the work so much," she says; "it's what I would be ahead at the end of the week." "111 stake you to that feed." says I, getting up to go out. "It's just as comfortable here without you," says she, "so you can go to your vaudeville theatre. "I get a little peace there anyway, alone," says I. "With you along It's one grand kick." "Kick?" says she. "If I kicked at everything that strikes me wrong I'd never be still." "It's the gum chewers that generally start you off," says I. "They're not gum chewers," says she; "they are in such a hurry to get to the theatre that half the supper remains in their mouth, and then they give an imi- tation of a cow, if they sit right behind you." "And there's the fellow," says she, "that thinks everything so funny he can't sit still, kicking you a few times to let you know he's laughing." "That shows he's enjoying it," says I, doubtfully. "Quit kidding," she says. "Do you know what I would do with a theatre?" "You'd probably get some girls and lead an Amazon march," says I. "No, I wouldn't either," says she, "al- though I guess if I did nobody would be driven away. "Well, what would you do," says I, "and stop swelling up every time you get a chance to talk about yourself." "I would divide the theatre off," she says; "those coming for the first time in one part and the regulars in aii< other." ' '■ '■ ■' "Great!" says I. "Where would you sit?" "■ - ' ■ "In the box office," says she. "That's the best place to enjoy a show that's do- ing business.** "Where did you get your ideas?" said 1. . ^ "Where you got your bump," says she. "Where was that?" says L 'in my mind," says she. mm the Week SHORT TALKS WITH ARTISTS. In Tom Nawn's sketch, he leaves the stage for a short time to allow his (laughter to sing a song, while he Is ac- quiring a "load at the Dutchman's down the street." You are necessary to the stage all the time, Mr. Nawn, and don't you think It would help the action if you slowly consumed a bottle of liquor, getting the "jag" gradually in sight of the audience, having your daughter sing the song just off the stage in what Is supposed to be the parlor of the house? It would not interfere with the story. It is suggested to Jack Norworth that if he plays a town where there is an uncertainty as to whether the audience will be quick enough to catch the points, that he make them very slowly, and in- stead of using the suggestion of the point, which is the most humorous part of the offering, that he makes the points clear. What Is a splendid mono- logue may be given uselessly in a house which is not quick enough to grasp it. With the comical "Dancing by Book," which Young and Devoie are using, it seems probable that the act could be Improved by Young asking a-full stage, and dancing around it. Where the no- tion is that should the music play as woll as Young dances, words ought to be set to it, and the song produced, it is most probable that a full stage would bf* highly beneficial. If Aida Overton Walker intends to re- main in vaudeville, she will assist the act by introducing the girls in the open- ing through a song, allowing them to change while the conversation is being given. Cay lor and Graff at the Gotham this week are using material which will foice them out of vaudeville if it is not rcvifc-ed. The mere fact that some laughs were obtained at this house does not alter the facts. Not a single joke even approaches newness in the act, and the old "business" of trouble with a "prop" turkey is in use. The make-up as a tramp is bad, and if Mr. Gaylor (if he is the man) is wise, he will take all the money he has, or can borrow or scrape together, and have someone write something on which he can demand a hearing on Its own account. Wilbur Held left Miner's stage on Wednesday afternoon without one single handclap following, after having sung a song about President Roosevelt. It was not through the song that Mr. Held "died," it was caused by his inability to tell a story properly. In the "train" story for example; as it Is given, there is no plain point. Let Held say instead, "I would rather take a chance than walk back again." The story itself is not so bad; it Is the telling. Another fault Is lack of expression. In blackface you may carry yourself as you please, Mr. Held, and you should take advantage ot it. Study over your monologue; try it differently each performance; watch the effect of the different ways of delivery; pick out the points that seem to tell, add anything even if old stuff, and you ought to finally manage to make some- thing out of it. THE COLONIAL. There is a superfluity of women at the Colonial this week. Ned Nye and his girls, together with Aimee Angeles (both reviewed under New Acts) are there, other than McMahon's Minstrel Maids, who have Miss Sully again as interlo- cutor. A carping critic might comment that Mr. McMahon's name is mentioned eight times In the short space allowed on the program to a full cast of the act. The songs go as well, however, and the whole act is liked. As Mr. McMahon is author of most of the songs sung, ho one can really blame him for advertising himself.' ■ . ■'•:-. r Jack Norworth, in his clever mono- logue as "A College Boy," was thorough- ly appreciated here, where about every- one in the house has or had a relative in college, who returns home with a full complement of campus talk. Mr. Nor- worth is speaking more slowly, which aids, and as his points are mostly made by suggestion, the laughs follow on while he continues. He looks and speaks the part perfectly, and It will be a pity should he be unfortunate enough to have imitators. This Is one of the acts that needs protection against pirates. Tom Nawn and his daughter greatly amused with "A Touch of Nature." Nawn's Irishman Is on a par with Sam Ryan's, of Ryan and Richfield, and the humor of it pleases. Manipulation of roller skates through "sculling" gives a funny finale. Silvano. an equilibrist, opened the show, showing a closing bal- ance of dangerous proportions. Silvano balances upon the opening of a water bottle placed above a setting of chairs, the whole structure wobbling while he plays the guitar. Young and De Vole, in "Dancing by Book," have a funny idea which is not spoiled by singing. A large hit on the Victoria Roof, they will go much better in any house more educated up to the stereotyi)ed than at the Colonial—al- though appreciation was not lacking. Chassino, the shadowgraphlst. cut out his figures with the feet for some un- known reason. Carlotta in "Looping the Loop" on a bicycle caused many more thrills than would be expected by the appearance of the apparatus. A catch or drag is attached to the wheel, and the velocity is not attained In the descent which would be natural at the angle the incline is set. Commencing Monday, the Colonial has for the feature a foreign illusion called "The Mascot Moth," to be presented for the first time in America. The Keith circuit through H. H. Fei- ber has offered Arthur Prince, the ven- triloquist, 12 to 16 weeks over the cir- cuit. Mr. Feiber engaged Prince in earnest conversation at Luchow's the other evening, in an endeavor to con- vince the ventriloquist that the honor of playing for Keith would recompense the difference in salary offered. HURTIQ A SEAMON'S. The bill has comedy in plenty this week, and the audience Is about laughed out when the moving pictures are shown with a new series calling for more mirth, if you do not wish to seek the reason why the "faking" of the films is done In such a perfectly obvious man- ner. The pictures are evidently taken In Washington, and you are shown a fam- ily entering a box-stooped house to be shown into rooms which would rent, even downtown in New York, for not more than $8 monthly. Interesting films are much preferable in closing a show, but those of any kind, if they must be faked—which has grown to be the usual thing—should at least be attended to Annie Yeamans and daughter, Jennie, 'way down on the program, caught the house with their conversation In a sketch called "i.^aklng an Actress." Mrs. Yeamans is a popular favorite In vaudeville, and was obliged to acknowl- edge the applause several times upon en- tering before the action could proceed. After the closing dance. In which "Mrs." keeps pace with "Miss," and causes Jen- nie to remark "That's pretty good for seventy," which is true, mother and daughter were reoalled several times. Genaro and Bailey, In "A Cigarette Case," gave Ray Bailey the opportunity of wearing a most exquisite white lace robe of handsome material and expen- sive quality. Were there nothing else for which commendation could be ex- tended to this ccuple. Miss Bailey's ex- penditures on this important matter, season after season, would be entitled to It. As It Is. though, the dancing finish Is certain of the "knockout," and there are any number of bright lines in the piece. About the best is when Genaro says, as Miss Bailey exits, "Where are you go- ing?" "Out," replies Ray. "Don't go too far alone," remarks Dave, and Miss Bailey returns, "I never go too far with anyone." Ferry Corwey. the musical clown, ap- peared for the first time in Harlem, add- ing some music and comedy which could not be shown while at the Hippodrome, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed his efforts. The Chamberlains intereste<i with lasso throwing, and the man has the "bull whip" exhibition to enhance the value of the act. Troja, "the dainty comedienne." se- cured some laughs on the "dainty," also on her Imitations, of which there were many, all similar and In the same key. The singing of one song was helped along by a man "planted" in one box anrl a boy in another. It Is difficult at times, and mostly all the time, to distinguish between Troja's Imitations and herself. Her voice is raspy, while the posing in the spotlight Is picturesque—and funny. The Carmello troupe of acrobats, in familiar tricks, were there, with a boy in a girl's dress. 't •; "Dead Game," a new sketch by Camp- bell McCulloch, was put on at the Gotham, Brooklyn, last night (Friday), for a trial performance, by Sullivan and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Murphy were given a theatre party by the Third As- sembly District of Brooklyn at Hyde and Behman's last Friday. They bought up the whole lower floor.