Variety (Nov 1906)

VARIETY 13 CORRESPONDENCE ■ Unlets otherwise noted, the following reports are for the current week. GNICAGO, ILL. By FRANK WIESBBRG. VARIETY'S Chicago Office. 79 S. Clark 8treet. MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr. for Kohl 4 Cattle. Monday rehearsal 9).—R. Q. Knowles tit lila flrat appearance here since his tonr of thq£N< world lias an eccentric monologue and catchy snugs. Mr. Knowlea won Immediate favor with the audience. "The Futurity Winner" has a thrill for every minute snd particularly the finish proved exciting. "What Will Happen Next." the very delightful sketch presented by Wilfred Clarke und company, Including Theo Carew, seems to im- prove with age. The offering la a valuable one. The Canaille Comedy Trio In comedy horizontal I.Mr trlcka are experts In thst line snd kept the audience In constant uproar. It Is the beat set of ita kind seeu here In a long time. Vernon has changed his ventriloqulal act considerably. It la more novel and the talk Is bright. He does not depend on mechanical devices but on his own merits to make the entertainment most enjoyable and compares favorably with some of the best. Hickman Brothers in "Who Stopped the Ferry lioat" offer a good quantity of humor. The Idea Is good and well carried out. Lillian Shaw In character songs proved her ability to entertain. The Three Westons possess musical talent. The act received several recalls. Linden Beckwith has a charming voice and won plaudits. La Toy Brothers are amusing in a comedy acrobatic act and Robert Nome baa a musical offering that OLYMPIC (Abe Jacobs, mgr. for Kohl ft Castle. Monday rehearsal 9).—The Orpheum company moved over from the Majestic. Besides Mr. Beck's road show are Morgan and McGarry, Laura Buckley. Chris. Lane. VontlUo and Nina, Downey and Wlllard and Tenny Brothers HAYMARKET (Wm. Kewklrk, mgr. for Kohl & Castle. Monday rehearsal 9).—The list con- tains Spadonl, Nlta Allen and company. Sam Watson's farmyard circus, the Rianos, Billy Van, The Vivians. Black and Jones. Harry and May Howard, Travelle and Landers, Lena Davenport and Zanfretta and Mansfield. STAR (Jas. L. Lederer, mgr.)— Lamont's dog and monkey circus. Ah Ling Soo snd wife, the McCarvers, Center and Ollmore, Ames snd Lamb. SID. J. EUSON'S (Sid. J. Euson, mgr.).— There is no comparison between the show ushered in suddenly by Harry Haatinga and Cbaa. B. Ar- nold at the Trocadero laat aprlng and the one of- fered by them at Euaon'a this week, labelled "The Bachelor Club Burlesguers." The fact that the burlesque is striving to maintain the pure quail tiea as s departure from the "everything goes" style has probably induced Mr. Hastings to press the lid somewhat firmer down. The performance opena with an absurdity in three scenes,. entitled • Just Before the Battle 8inother," a mixture of farce comedy, familiar burlesque episodes, s min- strel first part and attractive chorus. There could be no plot. The dialogue In many places is bright and situations brisk. The sctlon Is carried with such velocity at times ss to mske whatever mean- ing Intended to convey unintelligible. There la a mock court acene, with some slapatick but not tarried to overburdenaome extreme. The closing piece. "What Joy In Joyland." la mythical In treatment. The "bladder," brought to view for no obvioua reason. Is unnecessary. There is plenty of daab throughout and everything sparkles radi- antly. A giant rooster is Introduced in the finale with good effect. The enow baa merit and la a credit to the season. Harry Haatinga and Tom Coyne are excellent in their reapectlve parts snd William Armstrong is conapicuoua in both pieces. He la developing Into a comedian. Chaa. Baker is better In "Dutch" and atralght. He haa an erroneoua idea of the Hebrew character. There Is only one female part. It Is played by Viola Shel- don. She la prepoaaesslng, with a «trong soprano Tolce not often heard In burlesque. Blfhteen girls sre in the chorus, some shapely and good looking. They inject ginger in well-arranged numbers. One dark-balred chorister makes her- self conspicuous for extra "wiggling." The cos- tuming shows good taste wltYout reaching the more elaborate order. Tights are #£****+ Telle Slaters, "sister set," do more then ordinary dancing Gertrude to billed a. a whistler and accomplished In thst line. Baker and■ Wnifell have a number of well-directed Dutch dialect Jtorie. of the familiar brand. Harry J**** and Viola Sheldon appear in a wmedj «jf»J" which Mr. Hastlng's impersonation of an old cos- tennonger is an artlatlc bit of character acting, facing him in another claas. The singing of Miss Sheldon Is excellent. FOLLY (J. A. Fennesay, mgr.).—There isso much action In "Fun at the Seashore" and "The Hebrew King" offered by Sam Devere's company that the expectant moment, of idleness or dull- ness ususlly found In even some of the best bur- lesque companies go sweeping by. The builder of the uiecbenical comedy and vivacious element* evidently understands the palates of the Folly theatregoers, for he gave them an **"■££• of brlak and In many lnstsnces risque sltustions, re- plete with humor of the brand that Invariably entbusea the gallery and bringe vociferous ap- plause. There are times, however, when the .omedy la broadened and wantonly csrrled to ex- tremes, but ehecked at the edge of suggestive- ness, although the packed house clamored for It and aeemed to appreciate every action and bit of buslneaa throughout the ahow. The perform- ance owes Its success In no small measure to Andy Lewis. He Is sn excellent comedian and can write comedy If the two burlesques are an example of hla work. Geo. McFarland, Eddie Mack, John Murray. Chas. Schrode, Maude El- liott, Winifred Stewart, Alice Schrode and Minnie Granville appear to good advantage. There are some good looking girls In the chorus. One or two should be reminded to smile pleasantly, a number of custume changes are new and neat. About the beat act seen In burlesque In a long while to "Won at the Wire." presented by Andy Lewis and company, it baa many bright lines. well conatructed. Interesting and cleverly acted. Granville and Mack ahow the best part of their set st the finish when both appear In Roman at- tire. Winifred Stewart has a pure contralto voice and her .songs won Immediate favor In aplte of the fact that the house Is not Interested ss a rule In "straight" singing. McFarland and Mur- ray have a good string of nonsenae. With Jokes and parodies they were obliged to occupy more than the allotted time. The two Schrodes In comedy acrobatics proved amusing. The man of the team haa some herd falls and the act received seversl rounds of applause. Business Is unusually large here. TROCADERO (I. M. Welngardeu. mgr.).—The Koae Sydell company, same as seen at Euson's lsst week. NOTES.—Davenport, la., will have burlesque after all. Manager Raphael of the Orpheum Theatre in that city haa organised a company tbrougn tne Amusement Booking Association and will give a aeries of burlesques with vaudeville for the balance of the season. Harry Wright will stage the shows.—Jlmmie Lucaa will shortly play over the Keith circuit for the flrat time.—The Star Theatre Menaaha. Wis., under the manage ment of the Klenast ft Cliff Amusement Company, opena November 12 with vaudeville.—John B. Cain and Blanche Newcombe, this season with tbe -Roee Hill" company, and Fred Bulla and Lillian Raymond, of the "Broadway Gaiety Girls." will next aeaaon form a combination and appear In a repertoire of sketches In vaudeville.—Handlnl's name appeara In large type In front of the Majea- tlc Theatre. This la the first time that an artlat baa been billed at the Majestic two weeka In advance. Handlnl opens next week for a fort- night's engagement.—E. A. Fischer, of Fischer's Theatre, Los Angeles, haa secured the lease of the Hotchklsa Theatre In that city and will take possession about January 1.—Tbe first vaudeville bill at the Garrlck Theatre will be given on Sunday, November 26, It Is said. It does not appear probable that vaudeville will bold forth for one week In tbe Immediate future, aa the house is booked up almost solid with the Shubert attractions. Joe Whitehead and Grleraon Sis- ters have returned from their four months tour of Sulllvan-Considlne circuit in tbe Northwest. Mr. Whitehead waa married two weeks ago to Flor- ence Grlerson. The act will remain the aame.— Bijou Theatre, Belelt, Wis., and Empire at Rock- ford, 111., now book through tbe Morris office.— Arthur Fsblsh left on a week'a trip through Iowa and Wisconsin for the purpose of meeting s num- ber of managers who may book through the Morris office. CINCINNATI, 0. By HARRY HESS. VARIETY'S Cincinnati Office. 107 Bell Block. OLYFMIC (Daniel F. McCoy, mgr. Sunday re- hearsal 10).—If the vaudeville market were dragged It would be difficult to select a more en- joyable bill than Is offered this week. George Fuller Golden, one of the headline acta. Is so far above all other artists in hla line that be la rec- ognised here aa a "genius." Hayea and Healy are enjoyable. The Eight Primroses sre rsther weak as augers and failed to please owing to the fsct that Cincinnati audiences sre unedu- cated to the class of English set presented. Edna Luby, imitations, waa another one of the big bits. Amerlcus Comedy Fonr sre permitted to consume too much time In silly horseplay instead of sing- ing. Russ Whytsll. assisted by H. C. Redding, and Sarah Lewis In "At the Threshold" Is ex- cellent. The sketch would be a greater success If the support were stronger. Vlnle Daly, dancer, was another hit. Leon Morris' animals are en- Joyed. Next week: La Belle Daisy, feature. Bill unannounced up to Tuesday. STANDARD (Charles B. Arnold, mgr.) .—Hyde's "Blue Ribbon Girls" (Jsmes Hyde, mgr.). Tbe show this week Is not equal to the preceding one and doea not meet expectations. "Blue Ribbon Minstrels" waa the opening number. Parts of the singing were good, but there wss s lsck of proper effort by some of tbe principals. Ned Bennette, bone manipulator, waa very good. Tbe "Eight English Belles," first time here, felled to plesse. VI Holmes, also first time here, dsneer. very good. Brooks and Jeannette, pleasing. La Belle Comedy Four, pleasing. Adams and Drew, very good. Musical Bennetts, hit. The burlesque is poor. Next week: "The Parlsisn Widows." PEOPLE'S (Jamea E. Fenneasy. mgr.).—Reilly ft Woods "Big Show" (Pat Reilly. mgr.). The opening "A Nlgbt in Atlantic City" brings ont tbe strength of the entire company. It is one of the best shows of the season. Tbe olio is not very strong. Lew Leever, lllustrsted Songs, ordi- nary. Daly, "tbe madman," acrobat and Juggler, very good. Berg'a "Merry Glrla," big hit. Cun- ningham and Covenly, singers snd dancers, very good. Vlnle Henabaw and Georgle Fraosloll in "Scenes Behind tbe Scenes," rattling good act. "A Supper for Two," tbe burlesque, wss enjoyed. Next week: "Cherry Bloesoma" compsny. COLUMBIA (H. M. Zlegler, mgr. Sunday re hearssls 10:30).—There sre a number of acts that are headllnera. Csrtelle Brothers, refined skstlng, that la good. Tbe Mimic Three (Christine Cook. Matt Hanley and Art Brock) In "The Day After." good. Miss Cook is the life of the set. Anna Evs Fsy holds over and la again packing tbe house. The Vaaaar Glrla have a good musical act. The closing electric dance Is a pretty bit of atagecraft. Swor Brothers, here for tbe first time, made a great hit. They do a negro dialect skit that places all other turns of this sort In tbe background. Macarte's doga and monkeys pleased the ladiea and children. Coram, ventriloquist, grest set. full of humor. The Zlngsri Troupe In "Gypsy Life," pronounced bit. Next week: Julius Steger, Csrter snd Bluford, Masu and Matette, Klein, Ott Brothera and Nicholson, Bruno snd Russell, Kelly and Kent and Kemp's Tsles. PHILADELPHIA. By OEOROE M. YOUNG (Kinks). KEITH'S (H. T. Jordan, mgr. Monday re- hearsal 9:30).—While keen Interest waa manifest ed In Mrs. Laugtry, who is appearing In the sketch "Between Nightfall and tbe Light" for a second week, there ware aeveral numbers on the bill much more entertaining and which found ready recognition with the large audiences. Hart and Dinette. Hilda Clarke and tbe Brothera Krem- ka (New Acta). Fred Ray, assisted by Con- stance Wlndom and Louis Benton, presented "A Roman Travesty" and It met with Inatant sue ceas. Ray takes care of tbe bulk of the comedy and does It well. Miss Wlndom snd Louis Ben- ton hsve several of the best lines. The finish Is week. The "Immensapbone" baa no mystery about It, but aa a mualcal novelty It proved Inter- esting. To Clarice Vance belongs the biggest share of the honors of the bill. Mlsa Vnuce Is In a class by herself; her welcome wss Just ss warm as It slwsys hss been and there was no limit to the time abe could have occupied the stsge. The Three Psjsma Perrya made their initial bow for vaudeville favor In their home town. The act Is composed of Edns Perry, once connected wltb the Ssvage forces; her sister Evelyn, and the let- ter's dsughter. Their set Is crude, due to the In- experience of Evelyn and her daughter, but there Is good material In It. If they can smoothe the wrinkles out and Inject a little more ginger It should round Into a fairly good offering. Flemen and Miller were seen for the first time here In a singing and talking act. There aeems to be Just tbe right flavor to this set to mske It catchy: It is dressed attractively and tbe pair have a num- ber of bright lines which won laughs. They were given s bad start, but quickly proved the right to s better piece on the bill end got it. Lew Haw- kins. Instead of Lew Sally, as tbe program read, appeared and he went a bit better than usual Gillette's doga repeated their former successes. Franca Piper pleased with banjo selections. Hughes and Brown had a commonplace talking and singing act, below the average. Mathlen, who had a partner once. Juggled alone on this trip, and the Wood Brothera repeated a ring act which was well received. They hsve several showy tricks. BIJOU (W. Jennings, mgr.).—Tbe "Imperial Burlesquers" (H. W. snd 81m Williams) can take their place in the rank of the best shows seen here this season. "A Night In Paris" is tbe opening burlesque and there Is plenty of action, mualc and comedy. The chorua consists of girls above the average aa to looks and shspeliness. They display s vim snd sprightliness thst com- mends them snd some paina have been taken to dress them attractively. In addition to thla there Is a mnalcal director who takea Interest In han- dling tbe numbers as well aa getting In some noticeable efforts on the violin which to of no smsll help. The bulk of the comedy to handled by Jack E. Magee. who Is tbe peer of sny of tbe handlers of "Tenderloin Gossip" met with. His jargon la really a work of art in its clsss. Frank Murphy, Fred Gray, Ben R. Cook and John Zlm- mer also help. There is s burlesque on "show girls" which Is funny bnt offers something ob- jectionable In the expectorations. Similar busi- ness with a glass of beer should be dropped im- mediately. Magee scored wltb s "number" with the girls In conventional shirtwaists snd skirts, which la a novelty. A "plant" in the audience is used to good effect. "Off to the Front" Is a corking good burlesque, wltb some more good work by Magee and Cook, the latter showing prominently. Julis Heltsman does her best work and looks better In the first number, making a striking appearance in a white eoeturae. The red used in the closing number does not suit her. In this Nellie Graham dons s white attire which shows her off to good effect. Miss Heitxman lacks carriage, which can easily be remedied. Pauline Moran, who scores with songs In the olio, does good work In the milltsry piece. Mamie Lee handles two smsll parts capably. They fit her stature. Deonso and MacDonald carry off the honors In the olio. They do a barrel act which opens with some novel spinning. This looks like sn opportunity for a strong novelty If developed. Murphy and Magee's offerings fell below the standard shown In the burlesques. Fred Gray and Nellie Graham present a familiar musi- cal act which Buffers from the amount of comedy injected. Both are clever enough musicians to nse np more of the time slong this line. Miss Graham looks well snd Orsy tries hard to please. He appears to be capable of better work. Zlm- mer closes with some clever Joggling. Big busi- ness ruled all week. CASINO (Ellas ft Koenig. mgrs.).—Al Reeves got In Just in time to take part In the "Election Specials," meaning midnight performances, and his "Beauty Show" suffered accordingly. Reeves has the assistance of an English pony ballet In his chorus which adds to the quality of the num- bers. Alraeda Fowler and Mae Powere handle tbe musical number cleverly and Emily Sanger in- terpolates a toe dance which wins applause. Florence Hughes, a statuesque blonde, makes a good appearance. As an elaboration of "The Irish Justice" the first pert. "The Beef Trust Trial." movea along familiar lines with a little too much of the slapstick comedy. "A Merry Go-Ronnd" Is much better. In this Reeves takes hold him- self snd with clever assistance by J. Theodore Murphy In a Hebrew character keeps the fun in evidence all the time. Mae Powers la the "shape feature" this year In place of Dora Ronca and the show auffers nothing. Fay, Cooley and Fay open the olio and pleased with a vocal specialty called "Minstrels." The Six Bijoux, sn Importation, Is the best of tbe dancing acta Imported for the burlesque circuits this season. The Great Alex- ander Introduce a handcuff-escape act, well exe- cuted. The act lacks polish snd the man should talk Blower snd more distinctly. The benjo spe- cialty offered by Reeves with his confidential talk made Its ususl hit. He also has some good paro- dies. Murphy and Wakefield did not do their Bpe- clalty on Wedneiday. They, with the majority of others, Buffered from heavy colds, which proved a aevere handicap to a bill which la entertaining and pleased the patrons of thla house at every performance. TROCADERO (Fred Wlllaon, mgr.).—Frank Carr'B "Thoroughbreds' " strongest bid for favor Ilea in having a capable corps of comedians who are willing to work bard to please and In the two burlesques, "A Good Run for Your Money" and "The Union Men," they have ample room to display their ability. Many of tbe best knowu publishers hsve supplied the music for tbe num- bers snd there is s large and shapely chorua, which Includes a number wbo can sing. The comedy la in the hands of Charlea Douglas, Carrol Henry, Dan Riley and Charlea Nlhlo, while Blanche Washburne and Josle Flynn look after the principal parts among the women, la addi- tion to a good "bootblack" number la the bur- leaque, Washburn and Flynn appear In their usual specialty In the olio. Mile. La Toaka con- torts to please; Henry and Francla have a trav- esty sketch which wins laughs; Nlhlo and Riley do some good dancing and the Laurent Trio score a 1th their gymuaatlcs. LYCEUM (J. G. Jermon, mgr.).—The "Troca dero Burlesquera" with "The Misfit Family" and "Fun at Hotel Astorbllt" ahow much that is familiar, but none the leas plessing. The comedy parta are well distributed and there la the aver- age chorua to take charge of the musical num- bers. In the olio Mae Taylor pleased wltb songs. Stlrk and Loudon proved clever acrobatic cyclists; West snd Williams appeared in their familiar "talk" act; Frank and Grace Graham do wall with their sketch "A Lady Electrician," and the Wilsons slug and dance to applause.. DIME MUSEUM (T. F. Hopkins, mgr.).—Fer- rari's troupe of lions, shown by Captain Pierre Cardona, furnished the new feature thla week la the curio ball. AJsx, sword set; Franks Bisters, bag punchers; Nora Gibson, with snakes; Whal leys, musical act; Sultana and Conaora in an Oriental mystery, with John Thompson, the blind checker player, were other attractions, while to the theatre Emerson and Van Horn, Ethel Jack- son. Will and May Reno, Victor V a wont, Larklu aud Daly and tbe Clneograph pictures formed aa attractive program. BON TON (Mrs. J. G. Jermon, mgr.).—MatUe Colllna, ainger; Prince and Baldwin, sketch; Em- erson and Henney, song and dance; Little Baby Wilson, singer, and moving plcturea formed the bill this week. NOTES.—Tbe Four Mortons are at tbe Grand Opera House In "Breaking Into Society" and do- ing big business. Clara Morton 1b earning new honors.—There waa a novel entertainment given by Mrs. Thomas K. Wanamaker to a party of Philadelphia society folks at tbe Wanamaker resi- dence on Hallowe'en. Net Haines was personally selected from the Keith bill to entertain. It waa a novelty both ways and "Big Happy-Man" came off wltb flying colors.—Al Reeves la on tbe bunt for some novelties. PITTSBURG. PA. By JAB. T. TYNDALL. VARIETY'S Pittsburg Office. 309 4th Ave.. Room 207. GRAND (Harry Davla. mgr.).— •Starlight," H. Hardnln'a spectacular electrical ballet,' eclipses anything of the kind ever presented in Pittsburg. Mr. snd Mrs. Sidney Drew have a very clever and humorous new sketch, "A Model Young Man," which scores s genuine success with tbe audiences. Tbe Kitamura Troupe of eight Japa wltb their own Japanese scenery 1b as popular aa ever. Flelda and Ward are genuinely funny In their satirical talking aklt. Polk and Kolllns, assisted by the Carmen Sisters, hsve sn exceedingly good banjo set. Nat Hainea has some new talk that goes well. Walter Daniels impersonates actors in an artistic manner. Frank Seymour and Emma Hill have an amusing acrobatic turn. Prof. Du Hols has a wonderful ape in "Adam." De Vey and Miller' are pleasing in songs, dancing and acrobatic work. Daisy Duniout has a beautiful contralto aud her ballads are artistically rendered. Hedrlx and Prescott. Smlrl and Kesaner round out au attractive bill. GAYETY (Jbb. E. Orr, mgr.).—The "Greater New York Stars" company, fair ahow and olio. The Vaasar Girls head tbe olio, making a hit with their songs and the electrical "Maypole" dance. Maryland Tyson and her "Parlalan Pony Ballet" dance gracefully. Hune, Cain and Hoey have a good singing act. Billy Allen and Josle Bright have a genuinely funny singing snd dancing turn. Buch Brothers, comedy acrobats, win applause, and the Busch-Devere Trio have an acceptable musical act. ACADEMY (II. W. Williams, mgr.).—Tbe "Jol- ly Girls Burlesquers," strengthened by Edmund Hayes and Adele Palmer, In Geo. M. Cohan's musical farce "A Wise Guy" are pleasing the crowds, although the skit has been seen here be- fore. Hayes plays the part of "Henneesy, the piano mover," and new music and Jokes hsve been added. J. W. Sherry. Al Ilyland. Eddy Johnson, T. Wilson, Archie Goulet snd a shapely chorus furnish clever specialties. NOTES.—Yvette Gullbert snd Albert Chevalier will be here November 14 for one performance at Carnegie Music Hall.—A new roller skating rink was opened this week at Thirty-fourth street and Peun avenue. Thla rink will be called "Tbe Croas-Kosds Rink" and its promoters sre local men of wealth. BOSTON, MASS. ORPHEUM (Percy Williams, prop.; Dave Rob- inson, res. mgr.).—This theatre haa certainly Jumped Into personal favor with tbe patrons of high-class vaudeville and It will not be long be- fore the Orpheum will be a byword with all lovers of variety. The Fays are making as strong a hit as they did on their last visit. Fred Nlblo's monologue was a treat. Tom Nawn and com- pany In "One Touch of Nature" scored Immensely . Duncan, the veutrlloqulst, pleased. Josephine Co- ban In "A Friend of the Family" went well. Valonl and his trained doves, a beautiful act, well staged. Eva Mudge and Delrick Brothers, a good acrobatic act, also appeared. KEITH'S (B. F. Albee, gen. mgr. > — Tbe old lioston Museum favorite, George W. Wilson, la the top-liner. He has the playlet by Justin Adams, "The Old fashioned Motto." and made quite a hit other- were Ice Hart'i "Crickets," fair; The Four Fords ■cored hesvilr and are really the hit of the show; the Qulgley Brothers sre doing the Mime .Id act it n 1 create many a laugh; Welch. Meal-y and M ■:. ivse In their comedy acrobatics were » rj Idenlng. Harry Brown, Will Men l ami •' g, s.aiie and Bartlett, the Co-