Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16
VAUDEVILLE
Continued from page IL


reality, crockery smasher. His implements
consisted of plates and saucers, and the
ire of the stage hands was aroused to such
pitch by the mess he made on the stage that
he was peremptorily ordered into oblivion.
That the judges realize the nervous state of
the recruits was proved by the next try-out.
Another young woman, with bright, piquant
face, tripped gaily to the center of the stage,
and began monologue, interspersed with
many limitations. The opinion of the judges
was not unanimous, one or two claiming that
her delivery was too dead. But the house
manager declared her to be possessed of per-
sonal magnetism and rather bright stuff,
which was queered only by her nervousness.
He determined to try her out at some matinee
before the regular audience. Having wit
messed the young woman's initial ordeal,
made it point to be present at her debut,
and am happy to state that she made good to
the extent of being booked for nineteen weeks
that same afternoon.
Of late, amateur nights at many vaudeville
theaters have become quite the vogue, and,
while primarily originated for the fun of the
spectators, who certainly greet the amateurs
with an enthusiasm which beggars all descrip-
ton and cannot be equaled in uproar at times
bit of talent will be found among the chaff,
to be instantly redeemed
AT an amateur night at one of the New
York theaters saw little chap, messenger
boy in uniform, who not only won the first prize
and received the turbulent Endorsement of the
audience, but was Immediately booked and
began an engagement of several weeks a
fortnight later at a well known house.
Familiar Greetings
A GREAT number of vaudeville performers
y begin their act with some word or speech
to the audience. Press Eldridge, billed as
" Commander in Chief of the Army of Fun"
invariably makes his entrance with, Hello
audience!" Others Use such variations as
" Good-evening, ladies-and what came with
your! or, "Lad1es-and mantelpieces."
You and may not see any fun in this-and
is there any in it?-but the calculating per-
former knows what he is about, and knows
that this sort of Salutation is met with MUIR
muir of approval.
However, if witless, these maneuvers are
certainly lnoffenS1ve, and sometimes establish
certain degree of cordiality. But this close
ness of the vaudeville performer to his audi
ences IS also provocative of less pleasant banter
The other night the comic member of song
and dance team, during the period of getting
their wind for the closing steps, delivered
himself of a chestnut which had been enioved
by our grandfathers. The audience repre-
sentative one, failed to be greatly aroused by
it, and thereby displeased this comedian
Showing his dispeasure in his look he stepped
closer to the footlights and sent this question
into the house: Whats the matter? Can't
you hear me down there, or are YOU afraid of
splitting your gloves?"
Besides these disagreeable phrases, there is
another sort, long uttered and long tolerated,
If not always taken at their face value.
The supper show" is an institution peculiar
of continuous vaudeville. 1t is the interval
at about five or six o'clock-between the ap-
pearance of the head liners, who play only
twice a day, and the chasers. During this
time the house is filled only slimly with those
who are anxious to retain good seats for the
more important acts to follow.