Variety (Dec 1906)

8 VARIETY NEW ACTS NEXT WEEK. Initial Presentation or First- Appearance in New York City. NEW ACTS OP THE WEEK] OUT OP TOWN. Geo. Mozart, Colonial. Marie Dressier (Reappearance), Colonial. Victor.Occellier, Colonial. Volta, Harlem Opera House. Harry Vokes and Margaret Daly (New Act), Keeney's. Gaston and Green, Keeney's. The County Choir, Keeney's. The Crane Brothers (New Act), Hyde & Hehman's. McCay and Cantwell, Novelty. Ethel Arden, George Abel and Company (7). "Three of a Kind" (Farce). 26 Mins.; Four (Interior). Hammerstein's. "Three of a Kind" is a condensation of "Incog," and the program states "by ar- rangement with Charles Dickson." Mr. Dickson starred in the play. It has been adapted for vaudeville purposes by Mr. Abel, and the piece ran on Christmas afternoon twenty-six minutes, having been reduced from thirty-five at the first per- formance, neither of the principals having appeared in America previous to this, their opening week at Hammerstein's. To those acquainted with "Incog" the sketch title will suggest that play. Its plot is mis- taken identity. With a company of nine all told Mr. Abel is well equipped and has Ethel Arden for support. One might guess that the condensing had been well done, and were the farce still further shortened a few minutes it would please more. John H. Dailey as the son had a large portion of the dialogue and business, taking care of both satisfactorily, and the company altogether met the vaudeville requirements. For those who prefer a full- fledged farce in a small space of time "Three of a Kind" will do. Rime. Katie Barry. Character Comedienne. 13 Mins.; One. Twenty-third Street. Miss Barry returns to vaudeville with what might be almost termed a straight singing act. Opening with what is a new song for her variety appearances, Miss Barry follows with two numbers of her previous offering (burlesquing a band leader and melodrama). The closing selcc- tion is helped or hindered, according to opinion, by a "plant" in a box. The act a* a whole does not seem to have been well thought out or placed together. Schilzonyi's Hungarian Boys' Band (30). Instrumental. 26 Mins.; Full Stage. Colonial. One of the best organizations of its sort, with a splendid dressing and an arrange- ment of the reed and brass instruments that makes for excellent effect at all times. The boys open with two concert numbers, following with a short medley of popular songs and closing with patriotic airs that had the audience standing. There is a stir- ring quality about the handling of thes«» latter numbers, the volume of sound being massive without at any time becoming op- pressive, Ru»h. "Vacation Time." "Girl Act." 20 Mins. Fifth Avenue. With eight "English summer girls'' and three changes of costumes, one being quickly brought about by the removal of automobile coats, "Vacation Time" was launched at the Fifth Avenue Theatre on Monday. Barring the absence of a princi- pal (although there is a pretty solo singer) and the moving picture illusion of the young women in the surf, there is no novelty to the offering. Not alone that, but the remainder of the act falls short in comparison with several others of a similar nature. In one change the young women's heads are protruding from pond lilies, which is worked somewhat different and mildly pleased, although the moving picture scene brought plenty of applause. The dancing may be graded as •fair" without the girls apparently fa- miliar with their work. The act will prob- ably be whipped into pleasing shape. Taylor Granville and Company (8). "The Aeronaut" (Dramatic). 35 Mins.; Full Stage. Keeney's. The first production by the Granville Bennett Co., shown at Keeney's on Mon- day, will require considerable stringent stage management before reaching the spot in vaudeville aimed at. Early in the week the lights and effects were poorly handled, and an opportunity lost for any amount of fun with the "supers" em- ployed. This fault caused the opening to drag. There is a distinct fault with the finale also. This shows Tavlor Granville as the substituted aeronaut dropping through space on a parachute, the ropes of which were cut, which is the result of a very well worked out story. Mr. Gran- ville alights on the stage, and he is alone there, giving an abrupt and unsatisfac- tory close. The setting represents the ex- terior of a circus tent and brings in sev- eral characters, with Mr. Granville as "Shorty." a roustabout and hanger-on in evidence most of the time. He gives an excellent performance in a part written for him. and the remainder of the com- pany is capable. With the necessary cor- reetions and the noveltv of an inflated halloon upon the stage, together with the other effects, "The Aeronaut" mav travel to the top of the bills on its own account. The smallness of the Keeney stage may have been a handicap to the premiere. "Levinsky and His Cloak Models." Comedy Sketch. 18 Mins.; Four (C. D. F.). Pastor's. E. M. Boss and W. Vandeveer are pro- grammed as "presenting" "Levinsky and His Cloak Models," written by Charles Horwitz. Five girls and a Hebrew come- dian are used. The sketch may have been designed for a "girl act." Several songs are sung without the girls making a change until the finish, when the outer dress is removed, leaving a pantalette suit. The aet has been so cheaply put on, with- out apparent attention given, that it seems useless, although it is claimed by the au- thor that Nan Sutherland, the soubrette, and two of the girls were hastily engaged the evening preceding to replace others who had rehearsed but were taken ill at the last moment. One light encore was given on Monday evening. Sime. . Edgar Allen and Company (1). "A Thief of the Night" (Comedy). 19 Mins.; Four (Interior). Pastor's. Appearing in the sketch written by Sid- ney Wilmer, previously played in vaude- ville by James J. Corbett and May Tully, Mr. Allen is pleasing the Pastor audiences. It is his first appearance in the playlet, and following the style of Corbett, Allen gave a good performance. Miss Briscoe in Miss Tully's original part of the nurse gave an excellent account of herself, look- ing well and playing with ease. There are numberless laughs in the piece, which is somewhat drawn out, the finale being at hand at two or three different points be- fore the actual close. Sime. Lillian Tyce. Songs. 10 Mins.; One. Pastor's. . Formerly a part of the "sister" team of Tyce and Jermon, Miss Tyce now appears alone and a white Irish point lnee princess dross is the newest thing in her single offer- ing, consisting of two Irish songs and her standard "faddle-raddle" singing finish. In the becoming costume Miss Tyce looks well on the stage. She received several encores regardless of her shrill voice. This young woman may be aiming to succeed Maggie Cline as a singer of Irish melodies. If that is her ambition, Miss Tyce ought to wear green. Simc. Norton and Russell. Quick Changes. 12 Mins.; Open Two (6); Full Stage (Pal- ace; 3); Close One (3). PastOT's. After some time away from home Hugh Norton and Pink Russell return with k quick change sketch based upon a slim story. The changes are rapidly made and cover a variety of characters, closing in one with a "tough" dress and song. Were not the character changes so well dressed it might be called a burlesque protean act, there being sufficient comedy to carry that through. The opening could be improved, also the closing, a "tough" part without dances failing to draw applause and having been well threshed out by any number of others. The act was well received. Sime. The Two Jagos. Songs and Dances. 9 Mins.; Two (7); Close in One (2). Pastor's. A foreign act, either French or English, the man and woman composing it speak like natives. They sing and dance, the woman dancing on her toes. The team failed to receive an encore on Monday evening. Sime. "Polly Pickle's Pets From Petland." Musical Comedy. Keith's, Philadelphia. Joe Hart's 'Tolly Pickle's Pets From Petland" proved a big novelty and a real hit, especially for the women and little folks. This is the most pretentious offer- ing that has been tried here in vaude- ville, being a sort of a musical comedy on a small scale, with elaborate stage set- tings and general equipment. Much of the success met with by Eulalie Young, who has the principal role, was due to her de- lightful mannerisms. She is a pretty girl, a skillful dancer and has a beaming coun- tenance which is in direct contrast to the last half of her character name. The sev- eral animal characters were given splen- did treatment, the work of David Abra- hams standing out in particular. The "Jack o' Lantern" number which closes is worthy of special mention. Geo. Young. Myles McCarthy and Ada Wolcot. "A New Found Germ" (Comedy). Majestic, San Antonio, Tex. During the final three days of their stay here last week Myles McCarthy and Ada Wolcot produced for the first time "A New Found Germ." It is snappy, full of ginger and presented by both players in a manner bringing out the points clearly and cleanly. It is a laughing hit that pleases all parts of the house and will materially add to the reputation of these clever artists. The Majestic audi- ence literally roared during the action. Cal Cohen. "DAINTY DUCHESS" SERENE. The disturbance which arose in the ranks among the female principals of the 'Dainty Duchess" company at Youngs- town, 0., last week have been glazed over. Lalla Selbini objected to Gladys Car : lyle. who claims Youngstown as her former home, being "featured" by the newspapers of that Ohio town. Miss Sel- bini felt so badlv over it that she re- ■r inained in her hotel room, refusing to ap- pear. Weber & Rush, the managers of the show, helped to overcome the question of "star" from this end, and the show left for Cleveland with its cast intact, al- though with a general tilting of noses among the members. Miss Selbini had for a champion her husband, Willy Pantzer, who is with the same organization, and Mr. Pantzer siding with his wife in the matter, necessitat- ed a second pacification by the managers. NEW BURLESQUE HOUSE MOST READY. Chicago, Dec. 28. The new Empire Theatre on the West- ern Burlesque Wheel will open here about January 21. It will take up the open week between Chicago and Detroit. There is another open space between Minneapolis and Kansas City. This will not be closed during the present season. The shows play small towns in between to fill the gap. Sydney Kingdon Ayren in "The Cowboy King" opens at Chase's, Washington, on January 7 on his tour over, the Keith bookings.