The Evening critic., 1883-04-05
THE ELKs, BENEFIT.
A delightful Entertainment ut ths
National Theatre Yesterday.

Tho Elks have every reason to be proud
Of the pronounced success of their first an
nual benefit at the National Theatre yes
tcrday afternoon. Not only did every
member of tho lodge work to accomplish
this gratifying result, but the committee,
to whom was entrusted the entire manage
ment, have been undefatigablo aud uuceas-
ing in their labors. A larger audience was
never within the walls of the theatre, and
1t was composed of the best people of the
city In tho future the Elks will have no
fears of patronage when they announce n
benefit.
The programme sparkled with attrac-
tions, and if there was ground Of COM
plant at all, it was simply at the length of
the bill or, in other words, the committee
provided too much of the good thing.
The doors were opened at 1890 o'clock,
and an hour later "standing-room" had
been posted, and even that was soon at
premium. A pleasing incident, in keeping
with the occasion, was the handing to each
lady as she entered the house of tiny
bouquet Of choice flowers, with the neat
and tasty embellished programme. The
latter was intended rs souvenir to be re-
tanned as q mcmGnto of the occasion.
Flowers were profuse and abundant, and
each of the lady performers was made the
recipient of handsome basket Not to be
acknowledgement at the close of the drill.
The performance lasted just five hours,
and moved along as smooth rs cock-work.
There were no jars, waits or hitches, and
the manner in which the stage was run
added to the enjoyment Of tho afternoon.
Master Arthur Dunn, in his songs and
dances, was perfectly at home. He sang
well, and is q graceful and excellent dancer.
Many of his steps were new and difficult of
execution.
Jeppo and Fannie Dclano quickly made
themselves popular, and their "Rural
Flirtations " afforded considerable mirth.
Both are at home on the stage and favorites
with the public.
Murphy and Mack, "Tho Two Nurses"
kept laughter going, and their response to
the encore was u true representation of
Irish wit and originality.
| Murphy and shannon personated Dutch
| characters and had the Dutch English jar
| gon down to a nicely.
Billy Carter gave the audience an idea of
| the music to be found in banjo and the
ease with which it could be produced by q
| skilled hand.
Miss Jennie Dunn, petit in figure and
| pleasing in face and features, made herself
iavorite by her sweet singing. 1t was
| astonishing to hear so much music come
| from so small body. Her voice is strong
and we'll under control, and Miss Jennie
has bright future before her as song
| stress.
The Wesley Brothers, big and little, have
o good budget of nonsense that make:
laughter and good humor prevail among an
audience. Accompanying this is Their
singing and dancing, and their act well
deserved the approval given it.
| Vatican, as iuggler, need fear little
rivalry. He seems to manipulate balls
tops, rings, sticks, &C., at his own will and
pleasure with ease and celebrity. 1t is
almost needless to say Jake Bndd was good
as Bill Jones' Cousin. Everybody that knows
Jake knows that in sketches Of this charac.
ter he cannot be excelled. He found good
assistants in Billy Carter and Billy Will
Jams.
No one met with a more hearty reception
than little May Carrigan. On the stage
she looked not more than 8 or 0 years old
but the coolness with which she faced th'
audience and gave her rectations woult
bavo done credit to one much her senior
Her voice was clear, every word she spok'
could be distinctly heard and the mannc
in which she gave her recitations com
pletely captured the audieuce. The baske
of flowers that she received was nearly u
tall as herself.
Mr.. Raymond and his company appeared
'In Paradise" and the play found favo
with the audience.
The performance concluded with the ex
hibition drill by Company b, Washington
Light Infantry Corps, Captain Burton r
Ross, commanding. With the exception o
one or two little accidents unavoidably oc
curing, the drill was finely given, ant
the men showed the result Of long and care
full training. The company appeare
first in full uniform, an
after going through with portion Of tn
manual retired and then returned in ia
tigue dress and then went through th
lying down loading and firing Genera
Sherman, who, with his family, occupied
stage box, took a deep interest in the eA
hibition and was frequently seen to al
plaud the movements.
Taken as whole, the performance VIZ
fine, the house immense, and from all I'll
evidences at hand the Elks fund will be il
creased about 81 800 from the benefit.