The Topeka state journal., 1905-11-28

a collection Of vaudeville stars would
be, or for that mater could be gathered
together by the Elks, as those who
appeared at the Auditorium last night
when the first performance of the
week was given.
It was as good a vaudeville show as
has been presented on any stage in the
country. In reality it was an aggre-
cation of nine excellent shows, as each
act was one that has appeared as a
top liner at houses on the big vaude-
vile circuits. And among the nine
there were number which are the
best acts Of their kind that are on the
variety stage.
There was the inimitabIe comedian,
Harry CorsOn Clarke, and his com
pany in a side splitting comedy sketch
Strategy" Miss Maude Rockwell,
the California Nightingale" a singer
Of rare ability; Joseph Callahan. the
famous character change artist; La
Mont, with his wonderfully trained
dogs, cats and monkeys; Green and
Barton, in a comedy musical act that
was clever as we'll as funny; Neff and
Miller, black face comedians and &c
eentrique dancers; May Adams and
CHARLES P Kelly in an Irish comedy
turn; MedOra Cole and Arthur Kherns
IN a comic German sl1it, and Her. Burk
ana Mcdonald, trio of acrobats. who
did all sorts of clever stunts.
VI course the performance was not
presented without bitches. There were
tiresome delays between the acts. The
foOtlight shade was so big that it pre-
vented those sitting in the parouet from
seeing the fine points of the dancing
and good many of the tricks perform
ed by the dogs. One-half of the slide
curtain fell down. The lights were not
manipulated properly for Mr.. Callahan's
act, and the orchestra twelve local
musicians. hHinrr T1nFa17oiffar g
music did not come up to the mark on
many occasions In fact some of its
work was execrable. But these defects
are ones that win be remedied at the
performances tonight and those to fol-
low. and last night they were lost sight
Of by the excellence of the performers
and their acts.
Considering the weather conditions
there was a big crowd at the perform
ance last night Fully eighteen hum
dred persons were in attendance and
that they were highly pleased with the
show was evidenced by the hearty aD-
Dlause given to each act on the program.
Probably the most applause Of the
evening was given to Miss Maude Rock
well, the beautiful singer from the Pa
cific coast. Miss Rockwell is gifted with
a magnificent soprano voice. clear as a.
bell in tone and Of wide range. She
handles it with skill and great express
sion and her rendering of the intermezzo
from CaNaIlerla RuSI1cana was an ar
ttstic and vocal triumph. For one of
her numbers she sapg a medley made
I'D of verses Of old time songs. In it
were Marching Through Georgia, The
Last Rose of Summer. Old Black Joe,
Tenting on the Old Camp Ground, Ny
Old Kentucky Home. and Dixie. Miss
Rockwell sang all of these familiar airs
with great expression and feeling and
ELECTED most appreciative applause. She
is bound to be one of the great favorites
of the week.
Ia Mont started off the performance
with his trained dogs and monkeys and
some Of the tricks he put his animals
through have not been seen here before.
He has white cat that does some rath-
er remarkable things for a feline.
One Of his dogs, a greyhound. gives an
exhibition of high jumping that is real
ly remarka ble. As a tight rope walker
one of the monkeys has the late Blondin
beaten a mile.
Neff and Miller. black face comedians.
did a clever turn at singing and dane
ing. Theih dancing is Of the eccen-
trique order and they conclude with a
sparring exhibition during which they
/ continue to dance. Their antics brought
forth all kinds Of laughter.
AN Irish comedy act by May Adams