Variety (September 1907)

VARIETY 13 "lhe Myatic Pool." Uluiion. 15 Mins.; Full Stage (Special Set). Fifty-eighth Street. The original idea of the act was prob- ably some such effect as is secured in the New York Hippodrome water scene, where the nymphs rise directly from the water, but the germ has been so cumbered and ciouded by a surplusage of incidentals that ever were the mechanical arrangements cciried out properly, it would lose much of its force. Indeed, the water nymph in "The Mystic Pool" does not seem to arise from the water, but rather appears to ctme into the tank from the side under cover of an arrangement of foliage. The sketch opens with a little love scene be- tween Katherine Bartlett and Jay Harris at the brink of the pool, during which the tragic legend of a pair of ancient Indian lovers is recited. The man falls asleep aid the spirit of the pool (June James) anses from the water to tell him in blank vrrse that his sweetheart is false. In rage he throws the girl into the water and fellows her to his death. All this trans- pires on a darkened stage, and the pair who plunge into the pool are doubles of the real principals. In this way the de- ception passes undiscovered. When the stage is lighted again the man is dis- covered in the same sleeping position and the sketch closes with his realization that "it was all a dream." The sketch makes an interesting number opening the Fifty- eighth Street bill this week, but into the consideration of its value must be figured the necessity of digging up the stage where it is presented to place the water tank, which is probably five feet deep. The most ipteresting part of the whole proceeding was a song by Miss Bartlett. She is an extraordinarily pretty girl, and rt»? a voice of uncommon value. The sketch is novel in conception, but its fu- ture is problematical. Rush. Sam Williams. Pianologue. 12 Mins.; One. Fifty-eighth Street. A fresh, young, appearance and engag- ing personality go a long way to make the offering of Mr. Williams acceptaable. There are roughnesses in his talk, but a little study and attention will smooth them out readily. His bearing is easy and confident, and his first two songs scored solid hits. Williams is possessed of a good singing voice, much better, in fact, that his talking one, which is not particularly musical one. He would do weli to sing the choruses entirely and content himself with talking only the verses. A bit more distinctiveness in dressing might improve his appearance. His reception Tuesday night leaves little doubt but that he will prosper in vaude- ville. Rush. Beatrice Lindley. Pianologue. 7 Mins.; Three (Interior). Colonial. Beatrice Lindley is appearing here for the first time. Technically, she is not a pianologist, singing only while playing her own accompaniment on a concert grand. This same instrument is so placed on the Colonial stage that a view of Miss Lindley's features while playing is cut off to about one-fourth of the orchestra. The Englishwoman recites two songs, one, "She Didn't Know," being the best, and for an encore sings a third selection, spoiling it altogether. Miss Lindley is of rather nice appearance, wearing a handsome white satin gown. From the feminine portion of the house the dress alone should be ap- plauded. It may be a matter of selections for the amount of success attained over here. As her act is now planned, "She Didnt Know" should close it. The time would then be about five minutes, and she mjght be entertaining in that way on any bill. In some house* out of town Miss Lindley may be much enjoyed. Miss Lind- ley, however, is too light an act to have been imported. Sime. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Cohan and Company (a). "Running for Office" (Comedy). 30 Mins.; Four (Interior). Grand Opera House, Brooklyn. This is a vaudeville reappearance for Mr. and Mrs. Cohan in the sketch written by their son, and which is a familiar one to variety patrons. G'eorgie Mack takes the part formerly played by Geo. M. Cohan, and Mr. Mack is keeping away from aping the Cohan, Jr., with credit to himself. Rosie Green is in the fourth and last role. At the Grand on Monday afternoon and evening last the two prin- cipal received an ovation both before and after the sketch. Flowers banked up the entire back of the stage at night, brought there by a corps of ushers from the lobby, where they had been on view during the day. Mr. Cohan's "Popularity" must have been written with his parents in mind. They tested and proved the word in Brooklyn, and have just cause to be proud of their reception. As for the sketch itself it is running too long and should be chopped down. Sime. Konorah. ''Lightning Calculations." 19 Mins.; Three (Interior). Grand Opera House. Assisted by his wife, Max Berol-Kono- rah has revived the lightning calculations which he did on this side some four or five years ago. In those days Mr. Kono- rah had not the intelligent audiences which he will play to during this visit. The calculation act is immensely superior to "Menetekel," the illusion Konorah brought over last season. His wife is seated blindfolded, with her back to the auditorium. While in this position she gives an exhibition of mystifying mental mathematics. She squares 309, besides squaring and cubing 89, both numbers suggested by an auditor. Konorah lays too much stress upon the absence of col- lusion, and Mrs. Konorah has an unpleas- ant manner of intonation while speaking, giving 1 the impression of affectation. The act is interesting, and the seemingly marvellous mental arithmetic performed by Mrs. Konorah brought solid applause. Sime. Maizella. Trained Birds. 17 Mins.; Full Stage (14); Close in One (3). Union Square. Marzella has a well trained troupe of cockatoos, parrots, and macaws and has worked out an interesting exhibition of bird training with a touch of picturesque- ress in the opening and the usual riding teat on a wire, motive power being sup- plied by the usual clockworks, for a fin- ish. The birds are a well behaved lot and go through a variety of tricks, all of them well executed, although they have been seen before. The act is nicely dressed and handled with good showmanship, by the woman, while a dress coated man and a girl hover about in the background. - Ruth. opening, a lively song and dance, and the "kid" song are the only suitable numbers. With a nicely dressed song and dance act in "one" the team would go in any house. Lony Haskell. Monologue. 1 a Mins.; One. Alhambra. After a considerable time spent in other fields of theatrical activity, Mr. Haskell returns to frock coat and story telling. His present equipment is a characteristic lot of talk, composed mostly of "stories." The bulk are new and fresh, but from time to time there crops up a familiar one. Haskell tells his stories well, how- ever, and the monologue was immensely brightened by a succession of local com- ments that registered bullseyes. The house liked the number and brought Has- kell back for more after the finish proper. Rush. Dumond's Parisian Minstrels. Musical. 19 Mins.; One. Grand Opera House, Brooklyn. Dumond's Minstrels is formed the same as The Three Dumonds, although the original Dumond is not a member of the new act. The former comedian of the trio has put together this present num- ber, retaining the principal's name. Three men compose it, one, the tenor, who sings too much, and another dresses to re- semble Joseph Dumond. He will deceive a great many who have seen the orig- inal. The comedian still is capable of the laughs he always brought out, the musical portion is well taken care of, and the act is a hit, even without a girl in it. <Sf«me. Jeanette Dupree. Monologue. 14 Mins.; One. Pastor's. Miss Dupree is suffering through her material being poorly laid out. She se- cures a poor start, with an uninteresting line of talk, and it takes some time to overcome the disadvantage. The songs are all right, and handled nicely, although it would be just as well if they were not announced as imitations. • Three changes of costumes, pretty and becoming, made Miss Dupree, a striking brunette, pictur- esque particularly in the Italian costume used for the closing. The audience liked Miss Dupree immensely. Two Macks. Songs and Dances. 19 Mins.; Full Stage (3); One (16). Pastor's. Bad handling seems to be the main fault in the act of the Two Macks. The two children arc a lively and precocious pair of youngsters. Both possess good voices, the boy especially standing out. The danc- ing is also far ahead of any shown by "Child Wonders." At present too much is attempted. The Italian song by the girl is not good and should be dropped should the Irishwoman of the bov. The Healy and Vance. Comedy Sketch, Brooklyn. 14 Mins.; Four (Interior). Shubert. Healy and Vance replaced Herbert Brooks for the first two shows at the Shubert, Brooklyn, after which Mr. Brooks resumed his program place. Healy was formerly of Hayes and Healy, and the act has played out of town. The girl is unknown here- abouts. To her and the present finish Mr. Healy should give his attention. He is a dwarf, and through the oddity of his physical proportions, can always draw the laughs. Miss Vance announces an imitation of Fritzi Scheff, depending upon a snare drum for the illusion. Her first costume could be profitably replaced. The ending of the act, which could as well take place in "one," is badly arranged. Mr. Healy will have a likable offering if he or someone else remakes it, leaving his own part as it is. Sime. Labrakaus and Dog. Comedy Acrobats. 8 Mins.; Four (Woodland). Shubert, Brooklyn. The Labrakaus are English, one playing in comedy character, the other straight. The "wtraight" man is a clean, pretty acrobat, reminding one through his execu- tion, of the circus ring. The comedy it quiet and well brought out. As far at the dog is concerned, the animal is en- titled to billing. The comedian assumes a position, and without word or gesture for cue a little black dog commences a trick which he continues until the master moves. It Is equal to any of the "panto- mimic" style of dog training. The act in its entirety is thoroughly entertaining and entitled to a better position than the opening one on the Shubert program this week. Sime. Josephine Ainsley. Songs. iz Mins.; One. Shubert, Brooklyn. No information is at hand as to the past theatrical experience of Josephine Ainsley, seen in vaudeville around New York for the first time this week at the Shubert, Brooklyn. Miss Ainsley, from her bearing, however, has been before the public for some time. She selects popular numbers fur her repertoire of songs, and to avoid mishaps, employs a "plant" in an upper stage box, he becoming useful to the singer while she warbles "Honey Moon." He is also made the target of another ditty. Miss Ainsley makes no pretensions with her voice, but in houses where "plants" and "song plugging" are not condemned Miss Ainsley will pass through. Sime. Les Francois, Loja Trio and Four Parros. Acrobatic. Hippodrome. These three troupes divide the big Hippodrome stage, all working at the same time as the Hosing of the circus events. Much has been promised for Ix>ja Trio, a wire aet of three people, who feature a