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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908
Page 177
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-2- Margaret Wycherly & Co. On at 8.39, 22 minutes full stage. Playing "The Locked Door." We have played worse sketches than this, and also better ones. It is rather an uneven affair in which the few comedy lines have a jarring effect. Miss Wycherly is undoubtedly a remarkably good actress, but I think her forte is emotional roles. I do not care particularly for the way she handles the incidents in the comedy vein in this sketch, although this may be due to the unpleasant contrasts before mentioned. Miss Wycherly's support is as uneven as the play. The man who plays the lead is fairly good, but the one who plays her lover is very bad. Mr. Voillier, the writer, manager and husband of the act, said that they realized that the man was not good, but thought it better to bring an actor familiar with the part, rather than one who had never played it. For towns where Miss Wycherly is well known, I would recommend the act, but places where her name will not draw are better off without it. It will do well here for Miss Wycherly is a Boston favorite. XX Tuscany Troubadours. On at 9.01, 26 minutes in one. Special drop. A crack-a-jack singing act. My congratulations to Mr. Lovenberg. Gillett's Four Footed Actors. On at 9.27, 10 minutes, full stage. This act has improved considerably since last year, and is now working fast and smoothly. I honestly think it gets more laughs than Barnold's act, for where Barnold depends almost entirely on the drunken dog, Gillett has a dozen comedy features. At its present price the act is thoroughly O. K. XX1 Harry Gilfoil. On at 9.37, 16 minutes in one. This is the first time Gilfoil has ever done an act entirely in one, so he was a little nervous in the afternoon. I am pleased to say for his sake, and for the sake of vaudeville as well, for there are few entertainers as clever and classy as he, that he makes an extremely valuable act in one. He certainly held this spot with great credit. XX1 Annette kellermann. On at 9.53, 22 minutes, full stage. "The Australian Amphitrite" became extremely well known in Boston the past summer through her sensational attempt to swim to Boston Light, and her season's engagement at Wonderland, Revere Beach, where she proved a great drawing card. Her act is practically in four divisions. First, an exhibition of her skill as a diabolo player; two, a spectacular dance with mirror effects, a la Papinta; third, a capital specially taken motion film, showing her in the exhibition that she gave at Brighton, England; and fourth, the big feature, an exhibition of her fancy diving, for which Mr. Keith had built a special tank, seven feet deep with a capacity of 25,000 gallons of water. Miss Kellermann may be classed as a sensation here, and should prove a big drawing card anywhere she plays. The tank is set under the stage, the water being about a foot below the floor level. Miss Kellermann has a beautiful figure, and is the most graceful diver I have ever seen. She will remain here at least one week more. XX1 Fred Watson and the Morrissey Sisters. On at 8.00, 14 minutes in one. This well known act held this spot with credit. Watson is doing a lot more singing than formerly, which is not a great improvement, as his voice is not particularly agreeable, having a peculiarly rough quality. Do not consider that the act classes with Smith and the Melnotte Twins. They certainly did not go as well, either with the afternoon or evening audience. XX Czarina's Guards. On at 8.14, 10 minutes, full stage, special set. Rather a pleasing novelty, but it seems to me that the act is overpaid. The big hit of the act is the dancing by a Russian boy, who is a wonder. The wall scaling is tame in comparison with that of the American military acts. Not strong enough for the closing feature here. It would be O. K. for that position in most of the smaller cities, however. XX Otto Brothers. On at 8.24, 15 minutes in one. These boys have improved their act greatly this season, so much so, that I would just as soon have them as any Dutch act in the business, Scored heavily at both shows to-day. XX1
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-2- Margaret Wycherly & Co. On at 8.39, 22 minutes full stage. Playing "The Locked Door." We have played worse sketches than this, and also better ones. It is rather an uneven affair in which the few comedy lines have a jarring effect. Miss Wycherly is undoubtedly a remarkably good actress, but I think her forte is emotional roles. I do not care particularly for the way she handles the incidents in the comedy vein in this sketch, although this may be due to the unpleasant contrasts before mentioned. Miss Wycherly's support is as uneven as the play. The man who plays the lead is fairly good, but the one who plays her lover is very bad. Mr. Voillier, the writer, manager and husband of the act, said that they realized that the man was not good, but thought it better to bring an actor familiar with the part, rather than one who had never played it. For towns where Miss Wycherly is well known, I would recommend the act, but places where her name will not draw are better off without it. It will do well here for Miss Wycherly is a Boston favorite. XX Tuscany Troubadours. On at 9.01, 26 minutes in one. Special drop. A crack-a-jack singing act. My congratulations to Mr. Lovenberg. Gillett's Four Footed Actors. On at 9.27, 10 minutes, full stage. This act has improved considerably since last year, and is now working fast and smoothly. I honestly think it gets more laughs than Barnold's act, for where Barnold depends almost entirely on the drunken dog, Gillett has a dozen comedy features. At its present price the act is thoroughly O. K. XX1 Harry Gilfoil. On at 9.37, 16 minutes in one. This is the first time Gilfoil has ever done an act entirely in one, so he was a little nervous in the afternoon. I am pleased to say for his sake, and for the sake of vaudeville as well, for there are few entertainers as clever and classy as he, that he makes an extremely valuable act in one. He certainly held this spot with great credit. XX1 Annette kellermann. On at 9.53, 22 minutes, full stage. "The Australian Amphitrite" became extremely well known in Boston the past summer through her sensational attempt to swim to Boston Light, and her season's engagement at Wonderland, Revere Beach, where she proved a great drawing card. Her act is practically in four divisions. First, an exhibition of her skill as a diabolo player; two, a spectacular dance with mirror effects, a la Papinta; third, a capital specially taken motion film, showing her in the exhibition that she gave at Brighton, England; and fourth, the big feature, an exhibition of her fancy diving, for which Mr. Keith had built a special tank, seven feet deep with a capacity of 25,000 gallons of water. Miss Kellermann may be classed as a sensation here, and should prove a big drawing card anywhere she plays. The tank is set under the stage, the water being about a foot below the floor level. Miss Kellermann has a beautiful figure, and is the most graceful diver I have ever seen. She will remain here at least one week more. XX1 Fred Watson and the Morrissey Sisters. On at 8.00, 14 minutes in one. This well known act held this spot with credit. Watson is doing a lot more singing than formerly, which is not a great improvement, as his voice is not particularly agreeable, having a peculiarly rough quality. Do not consider that the act classes with Smith and the Melnotte Twins. They certainly did not go as well, either with the afternoon or evening audience. XX Czarina's Guards. On at 8.14, 10 minutes, full stage, special set. Rather a pleasing novelty, but it seems to me that the act is overpaid. The big hit of the act is the dancing by a Russian boy, who is a wonder. The wall scaling is tame in comparison with that of the American military acts. Not strong enough for the closing feature here. It would be O. K. for that position in most of the smaller cities, however. XX Otto Brothers. On at 8.24, 15 minutes in one. These boys have improved their act greatly this season, so much so, that I would just as soon have them as any Dutch act in the business, Scored heavily at both shows to-day. XX1
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