Variety (June 1907)

ging for a showing in a first class house. Miss Michelena's claim to recognition, from the program, seems to be that she was formerly a "feature" with 'The Tourist/' Surely at the Colonial she is setting forth no other reason for the en- gagement. The ginger's one best bet is a fairly good stage presence. She dresses to remind one of "Miladi, Sir Reginald's daughter" in a comic opera. Three num- bers are sung, and on Tuesday evening "That's What the Rose Said to Me" was the only creditable one. In the second selection, Miss Michelena's enunciation was so indistinct that even the title of the song could not be hazarded. Amateur- ish in the use of her hands, making a bur- lesque of her attempts to give expression, Miss Michelena is a failure in vaudeville, according to the audience. Sime. Lonnie Follette. Impersonations. 15 Mini.; One. Grand Opera House. Last Sunday night at the Grand Opera House, Lonnie Follette, son of Fred Fol- lette, the agent, made his first metropoli- tan appearance, with imitations. He is extremely young, well built and of good Address. As Vesta Tilley singing "Loveis Lane," Mr. Follette made an excellent im- pression at the opening. He followed this by impersonations of Eddie Foy and Vesta Victoria, both first class, that of Miss Victoria exceptionally so considering the boy's age. He has caught the English dinger's diflicult tones and accent more nearly perfectly than many of the older •women impersonators who have attempted id "do*' her. The finish with a dance might better be dropped, as it detracts from the tone of the act. Owing to the lateness of the hour at which he appeared blaster Follette could not present his full repertoire, but what he did was well re- ceived. He gives large promise, which *tudy wilJ realize. tiime. Edwards and Heslin. Songs. 14 Mins.; One. Henderson's. Both men have good voices, the shorter of the pair being particularly gifted in Mat respect. His voice dominates the duets, at times entirely drowning out his partner. They would be better off as members of a singing four, with a com- edy makeup for the younger man. His extreme height could be used to better eiiect under such an arrangement. The other man's voice has good tone and un- usual volume, being true and of splendid quality. It was one of the few voices in the show that was not swamped by the rattle of dishes and eating implements in tut* dining room, and that would be no mean achievement even for Tascott. Rush. The Eleven Drum Majors (Colored). Dancing, Singing and Juggling. 14 Mins.; Full Stage. Henderson's. There is altogether too much baton ewinging and juggling and rather too lit- tle singing, dancing and comedy. If there are any good male voices in the company they should be given prominence forth- with. The proceedings open with a song by one of the two women. There follow* ii song by the eight men and a vast quan- tity of indifferent drilling and baton spin- ning. The leader of the act enters with more baton work, in which he is aided by the others. This juggling is entertaining enough for a moment or two, but not for two-thirds of the act. It should be intro duced rather as an incidental to the danc- ing and singing than as the whole ma- terial of the offering. The dressing is cneap but does well enough. A rumor early in the week had it that the Majors was a copy of "The Black Hussars." Noth- ing could be further from the truth. "The Hussars" have a vaudeville act. Rush. ARTISTS* FORUM Green Brothers. Club Jugglers. 13 Mins.; Full Stage. Henderson's. A unique stage arrangement and cos- tuming scheme gives the act a touch of novelLy. Both men dress in baseball uni- form, the clubs being shaped to resemble bats, and the opening shows the comedian putting down the three bases of a dia- mond. A bit of burlesque of a baseball game is introduced, but in its present shape counts but little. It could be worked up into a good laughing feature. The cluo juggling and throwing is smooth- ly executed and the whole act goes for- ward with a decidedly agreeable amount of dash. The men are certain of their throws, making the long exchanges across the stage with speed and sureness. . Rush. out or TOWN George Yeoman. German Comedian. 18 Mins.; One. Bijou, Ma 1 shall town, la. (Week May 26). With a good straight German make-up George Yeoman delivered for the first time an act written by Aaron Hoffman, en- titled "Old Honesty." It runs from pathos to comedy. At the opening it suggests a monologue. After a few moments one loses sight of that fact, the material is so well written. Yeoman delivers it in a quiet, modest, evidently unconscious man- ner which makes him convincing. The act is away from the ordinary single turn, finishing with a medley of old German airs. The act is a first-class offering. It was good for a speech at the finish. Karl J. Ingledue. Confine year letters te 150 words and write ei Aionymoui communications will net be printed. be hold la strict confidant*. If desired. de el paper only. of writer mutt be signed London, England, May 29. Editor Variety 1 : Will you please deny in your paper as publicly and as soon as you can the fact that I am not in any way associated with John Kurkamp in the production and pirating of the "Lasky Rolfe Quintet," and will positively not be in any way con- nected with any production pirating "The Stunning Grenadiers." The partnership formerly existing between Mr. Kurkamp ind me was dissolved four months ago, since which time Mr. Kurkamp has produced sev- eral shows, among which is the one men- tioned in Vabiety of May 18 and at pres- ent being played on the Barrasford tour. When I do produce a new act, it will not be on the lines of any one else's ideas. Alice Raymond. 121 Kensington Road, S. E. Tommy Hayes. "Novelty Bone Solcist." 10 Mins.; One. Henderson's, Hayes belongs to that class of enter- tainers whose sphere is confined to tour- ing the summer resorts where the patrons of the smaller hotels gather in the parlor in lae evening to enjoy light amusement with a "silver collection" to follow. Have.* performs on the bones with a good deai of skill.. varying the monotony of the proceedings by substituting for the recog- nized minstrel instruments glasses, knives * and forks and finally dog biscuits. 'The dog biscuits probably account for the term "novelty" in, the billing. Even al- lowing that dog biscuits are a novel medium of musical expression, it takes a pretty easy audience to get thrilling en- tertainment out of an act of this grade, and it is hard to see where up-to-date vaudeville is beckoning to Hayes with any degree of enthusiasm. Rueh. New York, June 5. Editor Vabiety: I wish to attract your attention to Eldrege, Meakin & Company, although I am not quite sure at the present moment what the title of the concern is. They call themselves a "General Theatrical Exchange," and are operating, 1 under- stand, under an agent's license. I would prefer a complaint with the License Com- missioner, but am too busy. When I first met Eldrege, Meakin & Company they were doing business as a corporation, and I made certain agree- ments whereby they were to promote pub- licity for Bruno and Russell; also pay advertising bills contracted, for which I advanced them the money. All I ever received were receipts from Eldrege, Meakin & Company. Upon my insistance that payment of bills be made as per the money given to Eldrege, Meakin & Company for that pur- pose, 1 was informed by mail that "Eldrege, Meakin & Company" had been dissolved by "mutual consent," and that Frank M. Eldrege and Charles W. Meakin would continue the business. I severed our business relations at this point. It may have required some time for me to get the proper gauge on Eldrege, Meakin & Company, but I finally got it, after I had got it good. Chris Bruno, Of Bruno and Russell. Holyoke, Mass., June 3. Editor Variety : In the issue of June 1 I read that (ac- cording to rumor) J. Aldrich Libbey and J. Bernard Dyllyn will compose a singing act together next season. Tis too magnificent to believe. If they had said "Roger Dolan" I might have com- prehended—but the above illustrious name, impossible! But I have forgotten one most impor- tant feature-does the party mentioned double in brass? In the meantime I'll jog along with Miss Katharine Trayer. J. Aldrich Libbey- Stockton, Calif., June 1. Editor Variety : I wish to draw the attention of the pro- fession in general to the following case: Last February in Philadelphia a Henri DeGraeu advertised for dancing girls. His wife selected four inexperienced girls from among the applicants. Two were only sixteen years of age. They paid for their lessons in dancing to assist Mrs. DeGraeu in a "big act" to be called "Rose Lewis and her 'Dancing Dolls.'" DeGraeu promised the girls five dollars weekly, and he was to pay all expenses. They worked for him altogether about three months, and re- ceived one dollar each, in cash, during all mat time, for salary, and never at any time had enough to eat. The DeGraeus came west on the Pant- ages Circuit, with this act, receiving a good sized salary. But the act, through the ill-treatment given the girls and their half-starved condition, was in poor shape, and finally had no engagements. While the girls were out to supper one evening on an invitation secured by De Graeu, and which their unfed stomachs could not refuse, he "skipped," takingJ-he girls' street and stage clothes, and also laeir make-up boxes, leaving them abso- lutely penniless and destitute in Tacoma, Wash. • These'statements can be verified both in Billingham and Tacoma. In the latter place Mrs. Withers, mother-in-law of Paul Goudron (General Manager Pacific Coast Amusement Company at Seattle) cared for two of the girls for a long time, until they finally dritted away. If the Philadelphia papers would copy this, the relatives of the poor girls might trace them. J. Martelli, Of The Musical Martelli Trio. - , ■ • • ■. ,* 1 jtt Crookston, Minn., June 1. Editor Variety: These out-of-the-world lumber camp vaudeville houses are funny in their ways, and 1 think the following may be ap- preciated 'way back East: 1 While playing in one the other day, .1 was about to make-up for the show when a rap came on the door. With the usual "come in," the theatre manager appeared saying: "Say, don't make up yet." "Why?" I inquired. "Well," he replied, "last week we had a feller makin' up in black face here, and everybody in town swore up and down that it was one of our home boys, and it's hurtin' business. From now on I'm going to jest take each actor before the curtin* and interduce 'em so the people will know we git our show from Minneapolis." At each performance during the week we were led out and introduced with our act explained. The first night when the "manager" came to my turn he said: "Now, what do you do, Mr. Cox?" I answered I was a character comedian, and using for billing Klaw & Erlanger's new idea, calling my act "A Bit of Ad- vanced Vaudeville." Turning to the as- sembled "house," Mr. Manager said: "Ladies and Gentlemen: This here Ben Cox is jest from New York, and he is goin' to do that advanced vaudeville act we've been reading so much about." Ben F. Com. I