Variety (April 1910)

VARIETY 13 EMPIRE, SHEPHERDS BUSH. London, April 18. The bill at the Empire, Shepherds Bush, one of London's very best looking music halls, ran until eleven thirty, second show, last Tuesday night, which was not neces ggry. The two or three bad waits may have been left in to string out the pro- gram, but, eliminated, the bill would have been a better, even if shorter one. Fred Karno's "Skating" had the big type. The travesty is one of the best in the Karno trunks. "Skating" alone sug- gests a world of things, when coupled with the broad Karno comedy idea. Most of the fun, however, is derived from the opening scene, the exterior of the rink. Sid Chaplin is the chief comedian, and he brings a laugh with every move. Chaplin uses rough methods, but he does one or two quiet bits that tell he can be funny without the bladder. The rest of the company stack up well. A lively skating frcene at the finish relieves the strain of too much comedy. Anna Chandler, the American "coon shouter," who had her first London show- ing at the Hippodrome the week before, bad a real fling at it in this house. The singer has nothing to worry about, if the Shepherds Bush audience's word goes. They liked Miss Chandler all the way, and were most generous in applause after she had sung four songs. Miss Chandler might profit by changing her songs about a bit, closing instead of opening with "My Southern Rose," a song that she sings to perfection. The mugging should be dropped, as well as the little talk which she indulges in. The prediction that once out of the Hippodrome Miss Chandler would be a hit holds good. Gwennie Llewellyn is a little girl with a great big voice, well trained, and which Gwennie knows how to handle. She is making a mistake trying to fool the pub- lic into the belief she is an infant prodigy. The Smythsons, man and two women, are, according to the program, "Present- ing one of the most successful antidotes to melancholy yet produced." Whoever wrote that billing matter should be com- missioned to write them a new sketch at once. His imagination is marvelous. The act has nothing to recommend it. There is a little girl who seems to have ability, but no opportunity of displaying it to any degree. Frank Maura showed a very pretty foot juggling act. Maura is to be commended for his swift, sure manner of working, and for the very neat appearance of his apparatus. The act opened the program, and was more than generously received. Lux and His Dogs did nothing out of the ordinary in the dog line. One animal picking out numbers attracted attention, but aside from this, other than the gen- eral good appearance of the dogs and the kindly manner in which Lux handled them, it doesn't go far. H. O. Wills must have a badly bent sense of humor if he believes that the dirty makeup he wears is a comedy -one. Not content with this, however, Wills started picking flies and other things out of a piece of cake he was supposed to be eating. It takes a keen sense of humor and a fine intellect to appreciate that sort of thing. It does seem that the front of the house might have certain ideas about what comedy really is. Lottie Govell, a one-song girl, was also there. Darracq, New Acts. EMPIRE, HOLBORN. London, £pril 20. Last week the Holborn show was not a good one. The bill ran as usual, but was a long drawn out slow affair. No big name at the head of the bill had something to do with the rather poor house present at the first show Monday night. The show was run on" in silence, not any number receiv- ing much applause. Joe Elvin showed "Billy's Money Box," a comedy sketch with many bright lines and a number of good laughs. Elvin is a good comedian, sending his points over with telling effect. There are three other people. The bootmaker, next in importance to the star, was a big addition. George Gilbey, a Holborn favorite, held the stage for a prolonged period and man- aged to carry the house out of its Stupor for the time allowed. The comedian gave two very good numbers with the "dame" bit the most popular. Gibey's "dame" is away from the many others seen. The talk which goes with it is highly amusing, though at times near the edge. George Gilbey is another example of the red nose thing which seems entirely unnecessary. He would be just as funny were the red blotch left off his face. Carney and Armstrong, putter come- dians, are well to the fore among the talking pairs so far seen in the halls. The comedian is funny in an original style. The talk is brighter than the usual run, the absence of old "gaga" and "puns" be- ing a welcome departure. An excellent straight man is equally important. Haglus and assistant opened very well, but the act began to drag toward the mid- dle and finished badly. Haglus is u jug- gler who might not be doing a juggling act if W. C. Fields had not found that good comedy could be derived from the handling of tennis balls. Kaglus goes very well with the balls, but he does no other jug- gling and the turn quickly becomes tire- some through repetition. Haley's Juveniles are the first "kid" a«'t seen about that really amounts to any- thing. There are some really clever tots among them and all well dressed. It isu't necessary for the four girls in the opening number to dance in bare feet. There are several voices quite remarkable for young children. They should not be allowed to spoil them by singing so much it their youthful age. Muriel Harding sang an "expression" song very much like that used by Irene Franklin, getting something out of it. An imitation of Fougere didn't do as well. The finish, an imitation of a French actress in a scene from "Sapho" put her over to quite a hit. The thing is too long. Miss Harding dresses with rare pood taste. Jordon and Harvey did passably. They are a bit behind the times with a parody on "Goo Goo Eyes." The talk is a shade brighter. The boys were handicapped by the stage crew, who must have been build- ing a house behind the cloth while they were on. Karno's "Jail Birds" were a good clos- ing number. Barbara Babington, The Ar- leys, Arthur Ferns, and Chas. Norton were also programed. Suiini, and Eva Ellis ami Girls, New Acts. PARIS MOTES BY E. G. KENDREW. Paris, April 18. The April program at the Alhambra is better than that of March. Only two out of fourteen numbers really stand out: Cristie Duo and Tschernoff's Ani- mals. The I^afaille Troupe, billed, did not appear. The Croisit Trio, strong equili- brists, frequently in circuses here, have a good act; Walter and Belly, equilibrists; Daras, in imitations of celebrated com- posers (not particularly novel); Francis Marty, "chanteur-violinist"; Nitta Jo, chanteuse; Lumars, acrobats, and Hooc and Pauly, a knock-about couple, interest. The last, a man and woman, have some funny business. Hooc is pursued off the stage by Pauly; there is a scream, and the man returns with his partner (or a splendid imitation) sitting on his shoul- ders. He jumps on a spring table, and while turning a somersault they both dis- appear through a paper window. The ef- fect pleases, though it is only a lay- figure he is carrying. The Wolkousky Russian troupe, who sing and give a con- cert with the balalayka, are a trille too long on the stage, and their turn would please better if curtailed. Clement Bannel is continually introduc- ing new acts in the Folies Bergfcre revue, now in its third month and still attract- ing. The Marco Twins opened April 13 in a skit about Clartie and \as Rargy. (Le Margy, the actor—former husband of Mine. Simone, now playing the hen pheasant in "Chantecler"—has handed in liis resignation as a member of the Coinedie Francaise, received by Manager Clartie without comment. This seems to have rutfl<>d La Rargy, and is a theme for comedy in the revue.) Jimmy and Bessie Marbas also opened in the new presidential dance, showing Taft as an exponent of the light fantastic at the White House recently. Beatie and Babs, two clever English children, remain in a new aet. The Casino de Paris reopened April 15 as a music hall. Albert Cailar, former manager of the Monaco supper rooms, Kue Pigalle, is the new director, with M. Adolpho, late of the Bouffes, Bordeaux, as administrator. Boxing matches are the attraction. The annual revue was given at the Nou- venu Cirque April 10. The Etoile Palace is likewise to have its revue this year, which will l>e produced towards the end of the month and expected to run six or seven weeks. The burlesque in "Chante- cler," produced two years ago (long be- fore Rostand's pUiy saw the light) at the Ba-Ta-Clan, still holds the stage, but a military operctte by Verdellet and Gus- tin, "Pour 1'Amour, En Avant," is being rehearsed. Radie Furman loses next week at Tony- pandy, through neglecting to forward her billing matter two weeks ahead as re- quired. Marinclli's agency is negotiating for a tour of the Paris Opera Comique company through South America. There is also a probability of the Theatre des Varie- tcs signing for a similar trip through Mari- nelli. The artists, scenery, costumes and accessories for a full repertoire of pieces from these famous theatres will be con- tracted for to make the three months' tour. Mr. Van der Steen, director of the Cir- cus Variety of Rotterdam, Holland, has been declared bankrupt, and it is feared the creditors, mostly artists, will not re- ceive much. Lina Cavalieri, when seen in Paris this week, confirmed the story from America that she had agreed by cable to marry Robert Winthrop Chanler. The marriage will probably take place next November. Signorina Cavalieri commenced her stage career as a music hall artists, appearing often at the Folies Bergere here as a dan- seuse. While at this hall she asked the late M. Marchand, who was then owner and manager, for a better position on the bill. "What do you expect,, my dear," he asked paternally, "the opera?" "Certain- ly," replied Lina, "and I intend to get there." As a coincidence to this romance it was in Paris in May, 1007, that the first Mrs. Chanler secured a divorce and the custody of her children. BUCKNER PRESENTS THE SIX GLINSERETTIS, C.KNTLEMKN ACROBATS. Some Wonderful Original Exceptional Trlcka on the Rubber Trampoline. BUCKNER, ExcliiHivc Agent. Long Acre Bldg., New York City. Harvey B. Applegate, professionally known as Burt Harvey, died at his home in Trenton, N. J., April 7. The deceased was of Harvey and Parker. Dick Welch, of Collins and Welch, died April 21 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Phila- delphia, following an operation. Collins and Welch made their first appearance at Philadelphia in 1886, later joining "Nel- son's Great World Combination" show. Welch retired from the profession for a while, but the team joined again two years ago, playing vaudeville dates up to the time of Mr. Welch's death. The understander of the Patty Frank troupe of acrobats died in New York this week. Asphyxiation by gas caused death. The act is working with tin* liurnum- Bailey Circus. This has been a poor week for the show business all over the country from reports.