The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-28
At tho Rllou.

The largest house the Bijou has ever had made the heart of the manager glad last night. There were three rows in the rear on the first floor not taken, and they were practically the only vacant seats in the entire house. The balcony was filled, the peanut had more than it's usual quoto of gods, and society filled the seats and the boxes on the first floor Birmingham seems to have caught on' and appreciate Jake Wells way as Richmond Norfolk and Atlanta have done.
 Two weeks ago every one who attended the Bijou asked If it would be possible to get a better bill than the one that week. They had their answer if they were present last night and saw the seven acts, headed by Adelaide Herr man, the Queen of Magic.
 The answer was all that one could de- sire It was ''yes," most emphatically. Not once during the two and half hours did interest lag and every one was kept on the alert for good things. They came thick and fast and the audience laughed long and often.
 If laughter is healthy, then those in bad health should spend this week at the Bijou and laugh themselves into a per- feet physical condition. Music and com edy constitute the bill In every act there is one of the two, and in some both are combined, producing perfect whole The vitagraph concludes the show with two funny pictures and a
 
 church, fitting climax for the bill which went before it.
 MT. and Mrs. Arthur Young were first. They made a good beginning. When they left the stage there was no one in the place who did not feel that they had ai- ready received their moneys worth and that the rest was gratis.
 Sophie Burnham followed. She has a voice of peculiar sweetness. It Is not strong, but her notes are clear and dis tinct and the lowest can be heard in ev- cry portion of the house. She sings ap- propriate songs. and favorable comments could be heard on all sides. It is one of the sweetest voices heard this season at the Bijou.
 It took Little Mona Banks to "bring down the house." With a pretty winning smile and a charming manner she drew the audience to her and made them all feel as if she thought them each a personal friend and was trying to please them alone. She is a bright and clever little actress, with several good imIta- lions and no small ability as a ventrilo- quist. Her team mate has a good voice.
 Hal Merritt is clever His monologue is called "The Poster Girl" and takes its name from several rapid drawings ne makes on cardboard with colored crayons. He is also a very clever mimic, a good whistler and carries several good jokes with which to liven the evening.
 Adelaide Herman, in "A Night in Japan" did many of the feats in magic performed by Herman The Great before he died, and did them we'll. She is be- yond doubt the cleverest female magi- elan on the stage, and is equal to any of the men.
 Edwin Letell fills his title of Eccentric Musical Comedian. He has succeeded in getting a good monologue. acts his part well and is a good musician. His play ing on the banjo was exceptionally good.
 The Fitzgibbons-McCoy trio also com pines music and comedy. The Mischiev- ous Brother Is one of the originals. He takes the audience a little by surprise at first and 1t hardly knows how to take him. but they soon catch on' and travel with him through a series of tricks on his sisters beau, laughing all the time and enjoying the trip.
 Jack Van Epps. who runs the vite- graph, executes 1t better than is usual. and the interest in his pictures is in-