1907 - Vaudeville at Bennett's Theater

As Thanksgiving day, 1907, approached, the Spectator carried the following promotion for the bill to be presented at Hamilton’s Bennett’s theater:

“The bill at Bennett’s this week will be one which will make the theater-goers of this city sit up and take notice.

“The headliners will be Motoring, one of the best laughing sketches in vaudeville, and Della Fox, the celebrated comic opera star. Motoring will be presented by George Tate’s company of English comedians, who are said to be exceptionally clever. The act is brimful of humorous situations, and, as the name suggest, it is a story of automobile life. Della Fox needs no introduction to local theater-goers, as she is one of the daintiest soubrettes whoever stepped on the stage. Her name and fame have gone broadcast and her appearance at Bennett’s should prove a great drawing card.  George H. Wood, a monologist, who makes everyone laugh, is another attraction, and great things are expected of him. Wesson, Walters and Wesson, will have a clever and funny act in The Hotel Repose. Zeno, Jordon and Zeno will present their sensational tumbling act, in which they use a lot of apparatus. Donat Bedina, the famous European acrobat, and his wonderfully trained dogs will give an exhibition which will not only add variety to the bill, but which will prove one of the most entertaining acts seen here in many a day. Brune and Russell, typical vaudeville artists, will present their entirely remodeled singing and dancing act, while the Clarence Sisters, reputed to be among the best in the business, will appear with a number of the latest songs and dances. The Bennettograph will provide a pleasing finish to the bill.”¹

¹ “At Bennett’s .”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 26, 1907.

Once the vaudeville troupe arrived in the city and performed the first of their appearances, the Spectator reviewer urged Hamilton and area residents to go to Bennett’s because of the high quality of the talent : “Standing room only was the condition at Bennett’s last night, so large was the audience which crowded into the popular playhouse to witness one of the best bills of the season. Tomorrow, large crowds are expected at both performances. There is a sensational trapeze act this week that is a leader for all others, and a clever dog and acrobatic act, which, along with several delightful singing and dancing acts, completes a bill second to none. The most laughable and cleverly produced feature on the program is Motoring. It is presented by Harry Tate’s company of English comedians. The merriment is based on the breaking down of an automobile. None of the occupants of the car know how to repair it, and during the efforts to make the best of a bad job, they almost completely wreck the machineDella Fox, the great comic opera star, makes a pretty appearance, but the audience has to be satisfied with three songs, which she renders in a delightful manner.

“It is the act of Zeno, Jordon and Zeno that the audience receives its thrills. The trio of acrobats perform on a trapeze, and one of them does a number of clown stunts which keeps the audience in roars of laughter. The act is far in advance of anything of the kind ever seen here, and some of the tricks are truly remarkable. George Wood, the Somewhat Different Monologist, is a show in himself. He has a fine line of talk. There are few acts which combine such perfection in acrobatic skill and dog intelligence as that of Bedini and his dogs. Wesson, Walters and Wesson have a clever sketch in The Hotel Repose, while Bruno and Russell, in the Insurance Agent, and the Clarence Sisters contribute largely to the variety of the bill.

“For tomorrow (Thanksgiving day,) Manager Driscoll has arranged to have the results of the football matches given from the stage during the matinee.”²

² Music and Drama : At Bennett’s.”

Hamilton Spectator.   October 30, 1907.