Variety (September 1907)

VARIETY 17 LONDON NOTES. (Continued from page 8.) even penny might replace the final frac- tion, but this would be throwing in one- seventh of a penny for good measure, and the loss of so vast a sum would wring the heart of this giant corporation. A brighter idea would be to force the artist to lose the whole six-sevenths of a penny, but while he would lose it cheerfully, the music hall magnates would not be a party to. any such 'oppression. • Ihey would rather do the artist for a large' sum than stop to beat him out of a trifle, so by lianding out a ten pound contract inclu- sive of matinees, they save the whole 28 shillings sixpence and a fraction instead of only the fraction. This eighth-of-a- penny bunco is a sublime revelation of the methods of some of the London music halls. CORRESPONDENCE Unless otherwise noted, the following reports are for the current week. It's a thousand pities that famous strike wasn't fought to an absolute finish, but nothing on earth is stronger than its weakest part, and the few who wavered brought about a compromise. It was like a fight where one man has another down and is pounding the life out of him, when he suddenly says, "Let me up, and we'll leave our trouble to the Sunday school teacher to settle." The strike, as Welling- ton said at Waterloo, was to see who could "pound the hardest," and the boys were pounding with pile-driver blows when a tip went around to leave everything to a gentleman who was named with bowing deference as the "learned Arbitrator." The King's recent action in walking out of a Cafe/ Chantant at Marienbad during an offensive song has no doubt been read in your daily papers. His Majesty, though in every way a good natured man of the world, would accept no apology, and the scandal will have a great influence on the refinement of programs. In London when a royal visit nears the show is carefully edited, and so with the strictly best places on the Continent. Still some Con- tinental halls of lesser standing have turns that would he quite impossible in other parts $f the world. This is true of France, especially. There is a big mass meeting to-morrow, Sept. 15, at the Camberwell Empire, and no doubt there will be what the Indians call "heap talk,'' to be followed by prompt action. The one week ultimatums re- quired by Trade Union methods have al- ready been sent, and in the case of Mr. Tozer of the Oxford and Tivoli, have re- sulted in a negation, while other negatives are expected. Eugene Kernan, the veteran showman, celebrated his twenty-first anniversary as manager of the "kew Lyceum Theatre, Washington, D. C. (Western Burlesque Wheel), Friday of last week. James Smith-Cook, at one time of Smith and Cook, will appear in a "tramp" mon- ologue at Keeney's next week. Mr. Cook has now hyphenated his name to retain the old trade-mark title. CHICAGO Charles J. Stine closed with "The Belle of Mayfair" last Saturday. Ollie Evans, who played in vaudeville with Mr. Stine, i* now a member of "That Other Quartet," composed solely of women. Bf FRANK WIE8BERO. VARIETY'S Chicago Office. Chicago Opera House Block, (IMi oni> Main 4380). MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr. for Kohl & Castle. Monday rehearsal 9).—With one or two exceptions the bill this week contains acts new to the Majestic clientele. There are a dum- ber of familiar names. The first half of the bill, while not particularly enticing In the man- ner the acts are arranged, allowing a succession of vocal and instrumental numbers. Is meritorious and proved Interesting to the music-loving element. At the head of the list Is Robert Millard, who makes his first appearance In a semi-tragic sketch entitled "As a Man Sows." It was splendidly acted. Viola Gillette and George McFarlane In "A Little Musical Nonsense." delve Into the humorous side of Infelicitous connublallty and Incite laughter with absurdly amusing situ- ations. Miss Gillette retains ber statuesque appearance and has much charm besides a power- ful voice of sweet tone. McFarlane Is possessed of a splendid baritone, and has dramatic abil- ity. Ben Welch scored terrifically with bis characterizations. He has a number of new stories. Ned Way burn's "phantastlc phantoms" Is shown here for the first time. While the Il- lusion Is not original it Is an Innovation In "girl acts." Searl and Violet Allen and company, re- peated "The Traveling Man," bringing more laughter than previously. Gillette's dogs and monkeys offer an act entirely different from any other brought here by the canine trainer In the past. The "drunk" Is similar to Charles Barn- old's csnlne, but not so naturally skillful. Daisy Dumont sings catchy songs; the first two never before beard at the local houses, and not very rheery for the purpose intended. She Is pleas- ing and should change her repertoire. Ingraham and Campbell are vocalists. The male member on his entrance particularly emphasizes the fact that he Is the composer of the song he Is about to sing and tells the audience where It could be heard by a local favorite. The woman, after the first song, sings In the spot light while the other accompanies on the piano, followed, by a ballad with slides. The singing was most pleas- ing. Frederic Voelker Is an accomplished violinist, possessing the characteristics of a man devoted to his art. Ills selections were applauded. Mrs. Voelker accompanied on the piano. "The Four Golden Graces" show something new In artistic posing. The subjects, In glittering golden at- tire, are remarkably accurate and cleverly devised. Harry Webb was moved from third to ninth po- sition, an excellent place on the bill, and made a very good Impression, with a most unaffectedly pleasing and fluent delivery. His string of stories and jokes contain a number of very familiar ones, but they proved 1o be so sensible in their absurdness that the audience liked them. Clark and Duncan and Edwin George appeared. CHICAGO OPERA HOPSE (Frank Rivers, mgr. for Kohl & Castle. Monday rehearsal 9).—Julius Steger pud Company moved over from the Ma- jestic. The bill shows Bert Leslie and Company. George Austin Moore. Edward Lavlne. Abdellah Brothers, Oterlta. Lillian Ashley. Kaufman Sis- ters, Bingham and Gable. Marvellous Oeer, Two Lorretts, Barnold and Nicholson. OLYMPIC (Abe Jacobs, mgr. for Kohl & Castle. Monday rehearsal 9L—McMahon's "Porter Maids" top the list, which Includes Bell Hathaway's Monkeys. Chas. II. BradRhaw and Comnany, Chlnko, Slrronje. Bootblack Quartet, Al Carleton. Minnie Kaufman. Charley Crenyon. Avery and Fe«irl. Brown and Brown, Lnvlgne Sisters. Eldrldge. HAYMARKET (Wm. Newklrk. mgr. for Kohl & Castle. Mondiiy rehearsal 9).—Ethel Levey. Fn.nk and Jennie' Latnna, Jackson Family. Tom Nawn an«f Cnmpilny, ' Kemp's Tales. Qnnker ClVy Quartet. Miss Alba. Dudley, D'Ormond and Dud- ley, Frankle \a\ Marehe. Shannon and Straw, Stella Fortler and Companv. OHPnEITM (Jones. Linlek ft Schafer. prop!. Sam I. Irvine, mgr.).—Business Is large at this new State street theatre, where the performances run continuously from 11 A. M. to 11:.10 P. M. The list contains the Perrys. Annie Morris. Harry Newman, Gllroy, Haves and Montgomery, Four Jugrltng Jordnns, Chris. Lane, Majestle Four, the Vaggs, Fermnder, Duo. Rawls and Von Kauf- man. Margaret Dale and Helen Close. SCHINDI ER'S (L. Sehlndler. mgr. Monday re- hearsal 9).—Manager Sehlndler has provided for his Milwaukee Avenue Theatre. Texana and Reynolds, Tetsavvlers Japs. ]*r|neess Corena. Will and May Reno. Cane Mnsleal Trio. FOLLY (John A. Fcnncssy. mgr.). -"Roseland," the scenle mnsleal comedy last season, exploited by the "Dreamlands," Is now reproduced and presented by an organization known as "The High Jinks," with the same Investiture of hand- some and effective scenery, exquisite costumes and melodious music. The book has lieen some- what re-wrltten or a |>ortlon of the dialogue and Incidents Introduced last season have been Taken out. Notwithstanding the fact that the comedy elements are not so profuse as when Dave Marion was with the show, the comnany la a competent one and every available opportunity la advantageously utilized. In the finale of the first act the catchiest number in the show la rendered in veritable musical comedy grandeur. The "Police Squad" has been added this year, and "Sight Seeing Auto" retained. Beatrice Marlowe is the only principal woman. She la versatile and does exceedingly well. The parts throughout are capably handled by Joe Doner, John Williams, Chas. Barrett. Harry Cooper, John West, James Doberty, Robert Mayer Ab All, Harry Pelser. Sam Wilson, John Wilton. Nellie Doner, Clar Brink. The olio features are West and Williams In an amusing conversational skit; Beatrice Marlowe, supported by Chas. Barrett and Harry Cooper, in a sketch by Chas. Horwiti, entitled "The Star of the Kerosene Circuit"; Joe and Nellie Doner and All and Pelser. The show is first class. Even the chorus girls are fresh, sprightly and energetic. SID J. EPSON'S (Sid J. Euson, mgr.).— "La Petite Parlslenne*' Is the Inconsequential title of the first part offered by "Vanity Fair." It is described in the programme as a "real, naughty, but not wicked comedy." Its naughti- ness lies In the comedy, for a more decrepit and threadbare conglomeration of ancient Ideas has not been exploited in any show so far this sea- son. Whoever gathered the fragments of Irksome matter with the Idea that an audience accus- tomed to brisk entertainment would tolerate such u surplusage of unfunny and purposeless talk, should acquaint himself with the present de- mands. The dialogue Is unmercifully tedious and the monotony relieved only when the prepossess- ing chorus prances on the stage. There Is a stretch of melodrama, nonsenslcalitles that created curious laughter because the large au- dience on Sunday evening was willing to be entertained and grasped every opportunity the buffoonery, ridiculous as it is, afforded. The burlesque "A Southern Belle" Is held over from last season and seasons before that the "statue" Incident and "horse whipping" absurdity are re- tained. The Whangdoodle Four, colored, singers and dancers, who appear In the olio, take up considerable time In plantation manoeuvres and the "story" Is forgotten until the principals re- sume with uninteresting talk, followed by a song and dance by the Stanley Sisters, who, It seems, are under the Impression that their specialty In the olio merited a reappearance. For some reason Frank B. Rice la given the feature type In the program. It was probably in- tended for Belle Wilton, who Is deservlngly en- titled to it. She is prominent in numbers, dresses elaborately and can act. Mr. Rice assumes the part of a Frenchman, with an accurate delivery and demeanor, and appears as a gentlemanly Ger- man In the closing piece. M. Blvln Mack is the counterpart of Johnny Ray in make-up. only that he wears a dark wig instead of the stereo- typed red. He and Harry Dawson contribute about fifteen minutes of talk in the olio. Mer- cedes Alvarez is alert as the soubrette, but at- tempts too much when she tries to alng, as do the others who are not gifted with vocal abil- ities. Welch and Maltlsnd and the Wangdoodle Four are the only acts that merited recognition and they were appreciated and liberally ap- plauded. It Is evident that Bob Manchester did not see the show this season. He has displayed prodigality in the equipment. The costumes are elaborate and apparently costly. The surround- ings are too extravagant for the weak and un- relenting reign of Inferior matter which the prin- cipals vainly tried to Impose on the audience. Mr. Manchester should secure one or two comedians, and renovate the comedy department, before allowing the show to proceed. It is in a deplorable shape. EMPIRE (William Singer, mgr.).—Every con- ceivable effort to utilize particles of familiar bur- lesque material with an abundance of spice and ginger Inoffensively Interspersed to remind the auditors mildly of the more primitive brand, has been effectively accomplished by the "Parisian Belles," under the msnagement of Charles E. Taylor. There Is a plot or "story" attached to "A Pair of Plums," and while its treatment Is not absorbingly Interesting, there is a great deal of merriment derived from the complications and swift action. Two Germans are made up alike and one Is mistaken for the other. Some bright dialogue and furiously fast situations Im- minently converging to rough house, are re- sponsible for the frequent outbursts of laughter and applause. The closing piece is called "Whlrlle Girlie," and its chief qualities have been borrowed from Weber and Fields' former production*. There Is a catchy string of verse, scented with risque flavor that touched the rlslbles of the audience, but the song Is devoid of suggest Ivapsti and won on its merits. There Is also ;m unusual quantity of witty patter among the principals, and their energetic en- deavor to make the points effective were notable and deserve commendation. The argument between the two Germans was remindful of the early clays of Weber and Fields, and the dissected routine of ridiculously disconnected proverbs brought laughter. .The show Is brisk, snappy and lively. The bevy of chorus girls can claim comeliness. There are blondes., brunettes and au- burn haired damsels In the contingent, and they RSBtle opportunely as well as cautiously, and with apparent likeness for the work. Their presence Is always desirable. The wardrobe is an Im- provement on last season. There are a number of pretty designs. The "Scotch" suits and the green spangled dresses are attractive. The music Is of the jingling kind, taken with discretion trom several catalogues. Vocally the organization Is not strong. I-on Morgan and Ed West ore new In burlesque. They sppcar ns Germans and do exceedingly well throughout. William Armstrong in a "rulie" character manages to ex- tract the most out of the part, while Gladys Sears Is a conspicuous soubrette with vivacity and animation. In the olio appears Harry anil Julia Seyon. They delivered a rollicking, humor- ous and bright rtrlng of talk, most of It methodically new and of the |»osltlve mirth pro- voking kind. The Famous Armstrongs In their familiar comedy Mcycle act were applauded as usual, and I»ule l»a<re scored with her catchy songs and manner of Interpretation. Cladys Sears is under New Acts. The show In Its entirety Is much better than last year. It pro- vides good entertainment. NOTES.—Ruth Everett, this season with Wil- liams' "Ideals," lias decided to go hi vaudeville next year In a sketch written around her. doll act by Chas. Horwiti. She will be supported by Fred J. Barnes and Billy Lawrence.—Frankle La Marehe has added new and better material to her "Buster Brown" act. a decided improvement and meeting with success.—Leonora Kerwln, a recent vaudeville debutante, replaced Nina Blake In "The Girl Question" at the LaSalle Theatre.— There has been some talk of elaborating "The Navigators," the scenic musical comedy used by "Miss New York. Jr.," for the better class thea- tres next season.—Lewis and Chapln leave the "Fay Foster" Company on Sunday next and will return to vaudeville Oct. 7.—Musical De Fays are playing dates In the Middle West.— Kalhass. magician, is finishing engagements In Iowa and South Dakota.—Drake and Morgan are in the East and requested the agents here to arrange Western time.—Cooke and Miss Rothert, having completed their dates In Kansas, are arranging for the sea- son.—The Malcolms closed at parka and will play In the Middle West this season.—La Frere Sisters. European aerial act. are playing fairs in Penn- sylvania and will come West soon to play the Henderson circuit of vaudeville theatres.—Louise Grace and Company will close with the Barnum & Bailey show Oct. 17, and go in vaudeville for the balance of the fall season.—Al Warda will join his former partner Froster in a new act soon. —Kane and Benton want Western engagements for this season .--Edwin LaZelle closed on the circuit of parks In Ohio and Is arranging fall time through the Western Vaudeville Association. —Casad and De Verne open their season In the Middle West next month.—Kate* Brothers are playing a circuit of faire In Iowa and Wiscon- sin.—The Csrllsles, rope manipulators and lariat throwers, new in the West, are playing date* through Indiana.—Dan J. Harrington opened foe Western Vaudeville Association time Sept. 28.— Tracy and Carter are playing on the Sulllvan- Considlne circuit.—Stoddard and Wilson are in the Middle States for the Association.—Ben Fsgsn. having finished his engagements In the Middle West, left for Nevada, Mo., where he will visit his parents for a few weeks.—Joe Garza. Spanish acrobat, has been booked by the Association for a number of Middle West houses.—The Forscelles are having their time arranged for the season by Henderson's Exchange.—Great Santell ha* closed bis road show, and will resume his vaudeville dates.—Wright' Huntington will produce a new sketch later in the season.—Diamond and Plerson closed on the Sulttvan-Couaddlne circuit and are arranging future time through s gents here.— Salvaile arrived in Chicago from the West and Is arranging Eastern time for the season.—Nat Young, formerly of the Harris Trio, Is now doing a single specialty. -Barr and Evans are having their dates arranged by Robert Fargo, They re- cently closed on the Sullivan Consldlne circuit — Yarack and Lalonda. after playing the Sullivan- Consldlne time for four consecutive years, have arranged their future bookings through the agents here.—The Hollands are coming from the East to accept Western engagements.—Powers Trio are playing the time of the Western Vaudeville Asso- ciation.—McFarlane! and Murray will leave the "Champagne Girls" in November, when they will return to vaudeville.—Lormier Johnston, with Blaney's Stock Company, Philadelphia, will go In vaudeville this season and has commissioned agents to arrange his time.—The Auers, of Auer and De Onzo. after filling their fair dates in the West, will separate and reorganize for the sea- son.—Robert Whlttler will discontinue bis vaude- ville engagements later in the season and become the star of a dramatic production entitled "Arms and the Man."—Harrison, West and Harrison, at present with a stock company in the South, authorized agents to arrange vaudeville dates for the season.—The Alvas are looking for time In the Middle West.—The Arcade Theatre, Aberdeen. S. D.. opened last week with vaudeville, booked by the Sullivan Consldlne elrcntt. The house Is owned by the Henderson Compsny, and the bills changed twice weekly.—A. H. Phlnney and A. B. Wright, of Iowa Falls. Ia.\ have secured a lease on the Steere Building In that city, and will con- vert It into a moving picture and vaudeville theatre. The place will open about Oct. 1.— Hart's "Tales of Zoo," new In this part of the West, wants Western time. The act is In the East at present.—Harrfs and Zamna are Journey- ing in Illinois.—Dawson -and Booth have been l»ooked In Indiana and Illinois by Henderson's Exchange.—Brown and Brown open at the New Family Theatre, tafayette. Ind., Sept. 80.—Jug- gling Bannons are arranging their time in the West for this season.—The Rlsleys go Bast In a few weeks and will play there all season —Emer- son and Van Horn are playing dates In Indiana and Illinois.—Another picture theatre will be added to the list at Kewsnee, III. It will be In operstlon by Oct. 1.—Del Fuegn' closed With the Sells Floto show and is now In the city. Wil- liams. St rouse and Pullman are arranging future dates for their new act.—Goodrode, wire artist. Is playing at fairs in Ohio. He returns to vaude- ville about Nov, 1.—Wonderland, ftfe new Vaude- ville theatre at Wheeling. yV. Va.. opened under the management of Harry Rogers. The house seats 700. The theatre Is on the second floor, over the arcade, and has a balcony and modern equipment.- -Sadl Alfarabl and Rappo Sisters have written the agents here for Western time.—Two Coles closed with the Barnum A Bailey show and will open for the fall season In vaudeville next month.—Nichols and Smith will, when the fslr season ends, play dates.— Itlnjr and Williams art* on the Amnions circuit In Indiana. - R. H. Rmer- som has equipped a moving picture theatre on Main street. Mlnot. N. P. - Lavender Richardson and Company are comlnjr West with a new act. Dan Itlce Troupe of Pigs will remain In the Middle States. lia\lmr hooked up considerable time. -The new burlesque theatre now In course of construction at Wllkesbarre. Pa., for the Em- pire circuit, will be completed by Jan. 1. The house will have a frontage of twenty-Ave feet and the foyer will extend bnck a depth of 120 feet to the main bnlldlni?. which will be provld d with a balconv and gallery, accommodating 2."iK> people Frank Smith left the "Tiger Lilies" 1 and Joined •The Yankee Regent" Company. -A thea-