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

Page 115a

and is good for a bi-yearly return for a long time to come.
MELVILLE STOLTZ'S LITTLE PLAYERS IN "KIDDIELAND." 35 min. Full Stage. This is quite an ambitious act, presented entirely of children, all of whom are good singers and dancers, one or two of them being exceptional in dance and comedy. The idea is more ambitious than the realization. The act opens with a cottage scene a transformation showing the child in bed dreaming the full-stage picture that follows. This latter is quite elaborate, representing a garden, with a throne and playing fountain. The songs and dances that follow (all in honor of the Queen) held the attention quite strong at times, but should be cut down ten minutes, and new songs substituted for the old. The finish of the act got immense applause, one of the dancers appearing on a globe which revolves in min-air. The act ran roughly today, winning the audience and then losing them again. Developed and perfected further, and played with midgets, as has been planned, this act ought to win out; but it is far from a top liner yet. Placed earlier on the bill helps to improve the impression made. Went far better in the evening
LOUISE DRESSER. Comedienne and Vocalist. 15 min. in one. Big advanced hand. Makes a very stunning appearance in white. Sang three songs with her usual charm. Strong finish.
OLYMPIA DESVAL. 12 mts. Full Stage. Woman makes a fine appearance in a cart, driving pony and working in circular box. Has two horses and six dogs all well trained. Do the regulation Hippodrome stunts, for which she won very good hands. Makes a good closing act for a bill like this.
KINETOGRAPH. "Days of '61. Held over for a second week and got just as much applause as before. II. Scenes in Normandy. Mighty interesting series, particularly owing to the fact that the pictures are mostly of quaint little childred on a Normandy Holiday.
ROBERTSON AND FANCHETTE. 18 min. in one. Acrobatic Dancing. This is a fairly good three-a-day act. It needs curtailment to some extent and the substitution of new material for much that is antiquated. Talk is rather weak. Two changes of costume, including Italian and the "tough" characters. Closed fair.
MARGARET SCOTT. Soprano Singer. 11 min. in one. Octoroon with a high soprano voice singing fairly well. An acceptable act for a small place.
GENERAL REMARKS. As revised, this makes a good show, although it is shy of comedy and there is a little too much dancing. The running bill as revised is as follows:- Lester, Swan and Bambard, The Kemps  Kiddieland, Carbrey Brothers, Butler and Bassett, Louise Dresser, T. McGrane & Co., Laddie Cliff, Desval, Kinetograph, Robertson & Fanchette and Margaret Scott.

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and is good for a bi-yearly return for a long time to come. MELVILLE STOLTZ'S LITTLE PLAYERS IN "KIDDIELAND." 35 min. Full Stage. This is quite an ambitious act, presented entirely of children, all of whom are good singers and dancers, one or two of them being exceptional in dance and comedy. The idea is more ambitious than the realization. The act opens with a cottage scene a transformation showing the child in bed dreaming the full-stage picture that follows. This latter is quite elaborate, representing a garden, with a throne and playing fountain. The songs and dances that follow (all in honor of the Queen) held the attention quite strong at times, but should be cut down ten minutes, and new songs substituted for the old. The finish of the act got immense applause, one of the dancers appearing on a globe which revolves in min-air. The act ran roughly today, winning the audience and then losing them again. Developed and perfected further, and played with midgets, as has been planned, this act ought to win out; but it is far from a top liner yet. Placed earlier on the bill helps to improve the impression made. Went far better in the evening LOUISE DRESSER. Comedienne and Vocalist. 15 min. in one. Big advanced hand. Makes a very stunning appearance in white. Sang three songs with her usual charm. Strong finish. OLYMPIA DESVAL. 12 mts. Full Stage. Woman makes a fine appearance in a cart, driving pony and working in circular box. Has two horses and six dogs all well trained. Do the regulation Hippodrome stunts, for which she won very good hands. Makes a good closing act for a bill like this. KINETOGRAPH. "Days of '61. Held over for a second week and got just as much applause as before. II. Scenes in Normandy. Mighty interesting series, particularly owing to the fact that the pictures are mostly of quaint little childred on a Normandy Holiday. ROBERTSON AND FANCHETTE. 18 min. in one. Acrobatic Dancing. This is a fairly good three-a-day act. It needs curtailment to some extent and the substitution of new material for much that is antiquated. Talk is rather weak. Two changes of costume, including Italian and the "tough" characters. Closed fair. MARGARET SCOTT. Soprano Singer. 11 min. in one. Octoroon with a high soprano voice singing fairly well. An acceptable act for a small place. GENERAL REMARKS. As revised, this makes a good show, although it is shy of comedy and there is a little too much dancing. The running bill as revised is as follows:- Lester, Swan and Bambard, The Kemps Kiddieland, Carbrey Brothers, Butler and Bassett, Louise Dresser, T. McGrane & Co., Laddie Cliff, Desval, Kinetograph, Robertson & Fanchette and Margaret Scott.