Variety (April 1911)

i8 VARIETY NEW ACTS NEXT WEEK Initial Presentation, First Appearance or Reappearance In or Around New York llailey and Austin, Hammerstein's. Louis Simon ttnd Co. (New Act), Hammerstein's. Ferrari and Co., Hammerstein's. "Mulberry Bend," Hammerstein s. FInvia Arearo, Hammerstein's. The San fords, Hammerstein's. Daly and Vanen, Hammerstein's. Maude Lillian Berri and Co., Colonial. Lee Lloyd, Colonial. Kealey*8 Animated Toys, Orpheum. («. Marck and Lions. "Devorees" (Dramatic). Olympia, Paris. This is an excellent Idea for pre- senting a wild animal act, introduced for a short spell Into the revue at the Moulin Rouge and now presented as a special number for touring. Georges Marck owr.s a menagerie, formerly seen at French fairs. With his lions, he has constructed a sensational sketch for vaudeville. An artist has fallen in love with a female Hon tamer (Val- entine Petit) while painting her por- trait. They flirt, and so, continually thinking of his flame, he is a very mis- erable man when at home with his wife and child. He finally *as a terrible nightmare: dreams that he is Impris- oned with the lions, that they are about to devour him, and, in his terror, falls through the window. (The lions and Marck portray the dream.) The artist awakens with a shock, determines to turn over a new leaf, and becomes re- conciled with his wife. This is the sketch, well played, presented with the object of introducing an ordinary Hon tamer's performance. Ken. Weston and Lynch. 18 Mins.; Four. Albert Weston and Nellie Lynch may have a name for their vaudeville act. It is a sketch, evidently construct- ed lo permit, of Mr. Weston simulating his well-known 'drunk," and Miss Lynch to assist at the finish by her "loose" contortions, something similar to the "scarecrow" girl. Mr. Weston was the "drunk" at one time of the Karno Comedy Co. (English), playing "A Night in an English Music Hall." Miss Lynch's last engagement In the legitimate was with "The Summer Widowers." In the present act there is a quantity of dialogue which Mr. Weston handles mostly. He practically delivers a monolog during the piece. He arrives home late in the morning well "soused," and his wife (Miss liynch) is ready for him. A feature of the turn is a wrestling bout, well per- formed by Mr. Weston, alone, who works it up nicely, making the scene quite interesting as well as entertain- ing in a travestied sort of way. Mr. Weston has been known as a panto- mimist over here, but the dialogue ap- pears to be no stranger to him. The sketch might stand some rehearsing by a stage manager of experience, when it would materially improve. Mennwhilc the "drunk" could secure a larger quantity of laughter by more "fal's" in his character. There is also scope Tor additional humor by Miss Lynch in her eccentric work. Bitne. Harrison Armstrong Co. (S). "4 A. M." (Comedy). "4 A. M.'' is one of those sketches that just escapes becoming a big com- edy act. The idea Is there and the start is excellent, but the piece falls down towards the finale, ending lame- ly. This may be partially through the introduction of a property man (per- haps) for a small character, and an- other important person, often mention- ed though never seen (the wife), should appear, grotesquely made up and very boisterous, following the ver- bal descriptions of her. The sketch should be rewritten to permit of this. The story is of two lodgers in a country hotel, one arriving late in the evening and disturbed by the snor- ing of the other. The two men occupy single beds in the same room The late- comer protests against his fellow- sleeper's night noises, but the other roomer disclaims ever snoring. During a general argument and objections by both, one claiming he can't sleep and the other angry because he is not al- lowed to, it develops that the late- comer is there to meet his wife, mar- ried five years before in California. Further dialogue reveals that the snorer left his clothes in a sea beach bath-house some time before, in per- fect contentment that the world might believe him dead, to escape the same woman, married ten years before The late arrival does a hornpipe upon learn- ing he is freed through the existence of the first husband, who immediately threatens to actually kill himself rather than go through another siege "with her." Having it pointed out to him that the second death would not be of any aid, as he is already con- sidered dead, the first husband at- tempts to escape through the window. The second catches him when partly through and drops the window down, calling to the landlord he Is attempt- ing to jump his board bill. The land- lord enters, saying a woman who ar- rived on the 4 a. m. train was killed by an automobile. In the excitement attending the announcement the land- lord further says the woman talked about was his wife, married fifteen years ago. A woman calling is heard off stage. It is a man with a poor idea of a woman's voice. The first two hus- bands push the landlord into the hall- way with the statement he is her hus- band, then clasp hands as echoing in concert, "Never Again!" The landlord might be eliminated altogether, except for the comedy business involved. As the third husband, he destroys the logi- cal probability of the piece which is held until that time. It will require a regular sketch writer to build up a proper finish. Now, all the meat is in the opening scene. With reconstruc- tion, the sketch could hold up. It's too good to be lost and not good enough at present for more than the "smaller time." Sime. "The Banjophiends." 16 Mins.; Two (Special Drop). Hammerstein's. "The Banjophiends" may feel very well satisfied with their showing at Hammerstein's. The act is "No. 2," a spot considered suicide when eight acts were the rule at the house. So it is easy to imagine what the position is with the show starting fifteen min- utes earlier than usual. Three men and a boy make up the "phiends." The boy takes no part in the banjo playing. At the opening a drop-hung in "two" is disclosed, upon which is painted a huge banjo, the drum of which is a transparency. The three men are seated behind this, playing the opening number. They come be- fore the drop for the remainder. The banjo playing Is exceptional. They secure more volume and melody from the instruments than many others. Perhaps because they attempt no trick or heavy playing: One of the men has a very good singing voice, used for a couple of well chosen selec- tions. As a finish the boy is intro- duced. Singing from behind the transparency with the three men playing the instruments in front, the boy shows an unusual boy tenor, which will always be sure fire. The men join in for a finish, and it is good enough to extend in the singing line. A real encore was demanded as early as 8.15, and a couple of "bends" followed the encore. The Banjophiends will be able to hold an early position on any of the big bills. Dash. Hess-Munro-Powell. Vocalists and Instrumentalists. 12 Mins.; One. Majestic, Chicago. A "rathskeller three-act" that in it- self Is distinctly different from those that have gone before. The boys dress in good taste, work with- out any shuffles or wiggles and their voices carry them along well. It is not one of the acts that become "a riot" but is a pleasing turn that can fit In any bill and give satisfaction. The opening number is a trio that is lively and gives a good start. This is followed by a brief banjo routine and finally a bass solo with guitar ac- companiment by two of the boys. For the final number they employ a bur- lesque grand opera medley that sends them over big. They were in the fourth position before closing on the pro- gram this week. This spot is not suited to the act, being too far down. Better results would have been ob- tained earlier. Fred. STEVKN8 LEAVING "SHERRY." Next Monday Edwin Stevens will be in readiness to, and may, reappear in vaudeville. Mr. Stevens leaves the "Mme. Sherry" show this Saturday. His return to the variety stage will include Tina Marshall, who has been in Stevens' support in his past vaude- vil'e successes. Marie Fenton. Songs. 11 Mins.; One. Bronx. Marie Fenton has much in her favor as a "single." Monday evening at the Bronx the blonde girl sang four songs and made three complete changes. "Coon stuff" is depended upon in the song line, although she finished strong with a telephone num- ber. The girl, on "No. 4," was well liked. Dash. Pietro. Accordeon. Pietro is an accordeon player, an Italian like the other manipulators of this Instrument, and reported to be a brother of Diero, who has been appear- ing in vaudeville for a few months. At a concert in New York last Sunday, Pietro made a distinct hit with his in- strument, perhaps not so much because of the music (although well selected and well enough played), but because Piero unconsciously conveyed to the audience that he is a musician by in- stinct. Had this boy been on the stage for any length of time it would have been called "showmanship," but it wasn't; just plain naturalness, and so attractive the house held Pietro for several encores. He sways slightly while playing, carries a smile that gives him the good-will of an audience and beats the rhythm softly with either foot. A couple of "rags" were exceed- ingly well liked, and his popular selec- tions were current, all going over strongly. To those who believe there is melody in the accordeon Pietro's playing will be appreciated. As a gen- eral proposition, he would be a good card on the big small time for the "No. 2" spot, or as an attraction in the ordinary "small time" houses, but it is quite as possible that this boy could get over in any house, for vaudeville does like its music. Sime. Franklin and Hauvard. Singing, Talking and Dancing. 17 Mins.; One. Majestic, Chicago. This duo are evidently from "across the pond." Their comedy smacks strongly of the English. The man devotes his time to the fun, while the woman (a rather pleasing crea- tyre with pretty face a-nd form) does the "straight." The opening, songs and talk, was rather slow but as the act neared the finish and the man cut loose with acrobatic dancing, it gain- ed three bows. It is barely possible that the turn would have fared much better had it been placed a little fur- ther down on the bill. In the open- ing position, with not very much more than a hundred people in the house, they really received an unusual amount of applause. Fred. "crinl and BeHni. Songs. 10 Mins.; One. Ifammergtein's. Berlnl and Berini open the show at Hammerstein's, appearing before 8 o'clock. When high class, straight, singing specialty, is given as a descrip- tion, the result can be easily guessed. The pair have splendid voices, but need an act. Straight singing, especially of the grand opera order, will not do for vaudeville, if nothing is given with it. The woman is very likeable with a pretty voice and a pleasing manner of delivering songs. The man makes ton much work of the singing. With a ve- hicle that will give them a chance to show their voices they may be able to land the better time. Dash.