The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-10

One of the things in a combination vaude-
vile show to be thankful for is the smooth
stage management and the careful arrange
ment of the various specialties on the bill,
each act being so placed on the programme
that il shows to it's greatest advantage.
The Behman road show at the Grand this
week is by no means the best entertain
ment seen at this popular vaudeville house
this season, but it is undoubtedly we'll
balanced performance which has been made
all the more enjoyable through the dis
Greet manner In which the diversified acts
have been strung together. Often, when
vaudeville performers meet for the first
time on the same bill. certain acts will con-
hict, or at least chance to be of such SINH
larfty that the first one presented will de-
tract from the success of the second. In
the Behman show no two acts are alike,
and as the principal aim of vaudeville is to
supply Observation-Disclosures with an enter
tainment that is made up of a variety of
good things, Ii may be said that the Grand's
attraction this week is a meritorious one.
The management considers the Russell
brothers the chief features of the show and
Ii Is true that these two comedians are
vastly amusing to many people. The con-
the Russells during the past seasons may
regret that this pair of funmakers insist
upon sticking TO identically the same Zine
of business year In and year out. but then.
the constant vaudeville-goer is only too
apt to become pessimistic, and perhaps the
Russells are not to be blamed for doing
their old stunts" when they can cause roars
of laughter. such echoed through the
Grand at yesterdays opening performances.
Their offering is George NJ. Cohan's far
cical skit. "A Romance of New Jersey" in
which they have been seen here before.
AS of yore, they give their caricatures Of
Irish servant girls. and are assisted In the
farce WHICH Is much too long, by. two
members of their family-Annie Russell and
John Russell, jr., who do all they have to
do satisfactorily.
One of the best things on the bill is the
act of George Felix and Lydia Barry. 1t is
all sheer nonsense, even the supposed-to-be
sentimental ballad sung by Miss Barry, but
1t Is mirth-provoking. Mr.. Felix is comical
with his large hands and long legs, and
Miss Barry possesses a good voice and a
clever manner OF rafting off her lines that
would make her a very successful mono
logist should she ever choose to attempt
that style of stage work. Edward Burton
and Corney Brooks contribute conversa-
tional act called. "a Can of Humor," that
is humorous only in spots. winding up with
two topical duets that win favor from the
audience. The three Livingstons give one
OF the finest acrobatic exhibitions seen at
the Grand this season, and Leon and Ade-
lima stir I'D enthusiasm among the Specta-
tors with an excellent Juggling act. Will
lam j. Sullivan and Clarice Pasqualina fur
nish singing sketch that meets with ap--
prevail They reverse the usual order of
things, the man doing the serious singing
and the woman supplying the comedy. Ed
gar Bixley's wife is billed to appear with
him in a sketch. but for some reason Mr..
Bixley is going it alone this week, and
not altogether successfully. He was for
merly one OF the best burlesQue comedians
on the road, and there is every reason TO
believe that his old musical act. in which he
borrows instruments from the orchestra
and plays on all Of them. would make
good" in high-class vaudeville. Ii is under
stood that he has been giving this act in
other theaters of the circuit, but he under
took a monologue yesterday afternoon with
two songs thrown in. The songs were well
rendered, for Bixley's voice is far better
than the average. but the monologue was
very poor. 1t is to be hoped that he will
soon return TO the old and better speciality.
The Rossow midgets. who have an i'm
portant place on the programme, IA
miliar to most local theatergoers, as they
have appeared in this city many times.
They are still giving their gymnastics. pos
ings and boxing match-all in miniature
and they are still being held at arms length
by their big German uncle, while they stand
with little heads erect and arms folded upon
tiny breasts, gazing with sharp. round eyes
out upon world that is much too large
for them.