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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

Page 74

74.
(Carl D. Lothrop)
Boston Show, Week of May 4, 1908.
(Monday May 4--Afternoon Show.)
Overture. 1.31, 10 minutes.
George A. Hickman and Company. On at 1.41, 15 min, full stage; 2 shows. Hickman is a very clever Irish comedian, something on the order of Johnny Ray and Mark Murphy. He has a sketch by Wilfred Clarke which will improve with playing. I do not care a whole lot for Hickman's support, but at the figure he is getting here, $125, the act is a good investment. I think that it would make good at number three or even number five in many of the smaller houses. It seems to me that the act should do three shows in the continuous houses.
Brandon and Wilson. On at 1.56, 13 min, in 1; 3 shows. Two nice-looking young people, neatly costumed, in a singing and dancing act. There is nothing out of the ordinary about them, but they got by very nicely today. The girl is much cleverer than the young fellow and promises to develop into a good performer.
Five Spiller Musical Rumpers. On at 1.09, 12 min full stage, 5 min close in 1; 17 min in all. This act was a surprise, inasmuch as it went very much stronger than I anticipated; in fact, it can be scored as a hit. Personally, I think it would improve the act if some of the gab was cut out, although I must confess that our audience laughed at it this afternoon. My strongest objection to it is that they played the "Poet and Peasant" overture on the xylophones, but even this won them an encore today.
Patrice. On at 2.26, 17 min, full stage. Playing her well-known sketch, "A New Year's Dream". This seemed almost like a new offering today, it is so long since it has been presented in Boston. It is pretty in its idea and presentation. Patrice looks as well as of yore, but her voice is a trifle husky. Anybody booking it can rest assured that they are taking no chances.
Henry D. Gardner. On at 2.43, 13 min, in 1. This young fellow won much prestige as an amateur in this city, and made his professional debut in this house with success last summer. He has done considerable professional work this season, meeting with favorable notices wherever he has appeared. He is a nice, clean-looking chap, and does rather a classy turn of songs and stories.
Mareena, Nevaro and Mareena. On at 2.56, 9 min, full stage. These boys were here in January, but since then have added a number of new tricks to their routine. I know of no better acrobatic act, money considered, in the business. I certainly hope to play them next season.
Clifford and Burke. On at 3.05, 24 min, in 1. They have been coming here on an average of twice a year since they have been working together, but never in all that time have they presented a better act or gone any bigger than they did this afternoon. Quite a lot of their material is new. The only part of their act that went at all slowly (and only by comparison, at that) was the conversation with the supposedly-present ladies. The song "Somebody Must Have Lied" and their dancing went extremely strong.


Meeh International Trio. On at 5.49, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. These three young athletes have improved their act since last here, and it is an excellent offering for the money. O.K. for an opening act for the smaller houses, and is strong enough to close the show in many houses.
No cuts, excepting Jeanre and Ellsworth's songs.
Comment. A rattling good show, one of the best of the season.

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74. (Carl D. Lothrop) Boston Show, Week of May 4, 1908. (Monday May 4--Afternoon Show.) Overture. 1.31, 10 minutes. George A. Hickman and Company. On at 1.41, 15 min, full stage; 2 shows. Hickman is a very clever Irish comedian, something on the order of Johnny Ray and Mark Murphy. He has a sketch by Wilfred Clarke which will improve with playing. I do not care a whole lot for Hickman's support, but at the figure he is getting here, $125, the act is a good investment. I think that it would make good at number three or even number five in many of the smaller houses. It seems to me that the act should do three shows in the continuous houses. Brandon and Wilson. On at 1.56, 13 min, in 1; 3 shows. Two nice-looking young people, neatly costumed, in a singing and dancing act. There is nothing out of the ordinary about them, but they got by very nicely today. The girl is much cleverer than the young fellow and promises to develop into a good performer. Five Spiller Musical Rumpers. On at 1.09, 12 min full stage, 5 min close in 1; 17 min in all. This act was a surprise, inasmuch as it went very much stronger than I anticipated; in fact, it can be scored as a hit. Personally, I think it would improve the act if some of the gab was cut out, although I must confess that our audience laughed at it this afternoon. My strongest objection to it is that they played the "Poet and Peasant" overture on the xylophones, but even this won them an encore today. Patrice. On at 2.26, 17 min, full stage. Playing her well-known sketch, "A New Year's Dream". This seemed almost like a new offering today, it is so long since it has been presented in Boston. It is pretty in its idea and presentation. Patrice looks as well as of yore, but her voice is a trifle husky. Anybody booking it can rest assured that they are taking no chances. Henry D. Gardner. On at 2.43, 13 min, in 1. This young fellow won much prestige as an amateur in this city, and made his professional debut in this house with success last summer. He has done considerable professional work this season, meeting with favorable notices wherever he has appeared. He is a nice, clean-looking chap, and does rather a classy turn of songs and stories. Mareena, Nevaro and Mareena. On at 2.56, 9 min, full stage. These boys were here in January, but since then have added a number of new tricks to their routine. I know of no better acrobatic act, money considered, in the business. I certainly hope to play them next season. Clifford and Burke. On at 3.05, 24 min, in 1. They have been coming here on an average of twice a year since they have been working together, but never in all that time have they presented a better act or gone any bigger than they did this afternoon. Quite a lot of their material is new. The only part of their act that went at all slowly (and only by comparison, at that) was the conversation with the supposedly-present ladies. The song "Somebody Must Have Lied" and their dancing went extremely strong. Meeh International Trio. On at 5.49, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. These three young athletes have improved their act since last here, and it is an excellent offering for the money. O.K. for an opening act for the smaller houses, and is strong enough to close the show in many houses. No cuts, excepting Jeanre and Ellsworth's songs. Comment. A rattling good show, one of the best of the season.