Variety (October 1914)

VARIETY 41 MRS. SHARROCK MR. SHARROCK tHIIMD TIH ORAM MAJESTIC, CHICAGO, WEEK OF SEPT. 21st, AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY PRESS AND PUBLIC AS IV Ml THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE CHICAGO CRITICS APPROVED THE ACT IS HEREBY PROVEN The Hattont Th« Harald But there is an act on the Majestic Theatre bill this week which reverses the usual variety practice. This is the Sharrocks in "Behind the Grand Stand." These perform- ers enter as cheap fortune tellers at a bucolic fair. They set up their booth behind the grand stand, the woman taking out her para- phernalia and the man acting as barker. Through this introductory part of the sketch there is a most amusing conversational give and take, which quite exposes the fakers of the "tank" circuits. Then the barker and fortune teller gel up on their boxes and begin drumming up a | crowd. He bawls out the prowess of "Zaza." She chews gum and affects nonchalance. The audience is cleverly swept into the role of the impressed ruralities, and then the act suddenly changes ■ into an excellent exhibi- tion of mind reading. The Sharrocks not only work together bril- liantly as mind readers, but they nave a real ability to project character. It is the first sketch of the sort we have witnessed in which the performers seem to be equipped with imaginations and a sense of background. Amy Leslie The News Another bit of play acting which is capital is done in "Sharrocks," an excellent illustra- tion of side show and the "faker" end of a fair ground circus. It takes place behind a grand stand and there are fortune tellers who actually lure the audience into a test of sec- ond sight without hatting an eyelash. The Billboard No. 4—The Sharrocks came on with a bally- hoo that reminded one of a fair ground, and the opening they have adopted has added just 100 per cent, to their novelty offering of men- tel telepathy. After introducing Miss Shar- rock in real carnival style, Mr. Sharrock proceeds through the audience where various articles are held up and are called out by Miss Sharrock as to what they are, describing them to the smallest identification possible. In their opening much "Hick" patter was sent over the footlights, and resulted in in- stantaneous applause. This, combined with the comedy ottered throughout their men- tal work, made them qne of the hits of the program. Twenty-two minutes, in one. Reed Variety The Sharrocks on in "E" spot, made the first real stir and things went on s pretty swift pace thereafter. The Sharrocks, who come on as fair fakirs, have some good comedy, and they close brilliantly with sec- ond sight stuff that puts them in the suc- cessful class. The set got over very big and the audience came up with enthusiasm. RK, OINNINO I 8th AMERICAN SEASON ALICE LLOYD IN VAUDEVILLE NEXT WEEK (Oct. 5) PALACE, NEW YORK Representative, P^\.T^ CA.SE JL All Communications care VARIETY, New York Jack Burch. manager of McVlcker's, has ne to French Lick suffering from a sudden tack of Illness. Sam Levin Is looking after e house In his absence. Ben Yanger, he of prize fighting fame, has had a new act written and will soon get Into line for the "Association" time. J. T. Doyle, a newspaper man, Is the author. George Tyler has announced that the Red Cross Society will be given half the proceeds from tickets sold by special oommlttepn dur- ing the period from Sept. 2.°» to Oct. l'J. Some sort of a musical Internment has been installed In the lobby of the Garrlck where muwlc of "The Midnight Girl" Is offered the Ma; crowdn that go to ttee "Peg o' My Heart." Sudbury. North Bay, Cobalt, St. Thomas. >rlln and Barry are a string of towns added the United Bookings offices this week. They 11 be booked out of Chicago. Paul Kevins and Ruby Erwood left the bill at the Majestic Monday. They declined sec- ond position. This left the bill with eleven acts, Including two pictures. Leon A. Brazenlak and others have taken a lease on the College theatre, on the north- west side, where they will install a producing company to put on plays by western writers. Mr and Mrs. Maurice Browne, directors of the Little theatre, have sailed from Naples and will arrive in Chicago next week. Re- hearsals of the company are now In progress. DAINTY ENGLISH TRIO This Week (Sept. 28) Keith's, Columbus ENGLAND'S FOREMOST DANCERS Ethel Rosebud, Maod Crossland and Lottie Crotsland BOOKED SOLID ON ORPHEUM CIRCUIT UNTIL JUNE 27