Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-04
THE FoRDs' BENEFIT.
a Delightful Evening with savannah :
pistrionic TaIent-A Crowded House

\ Delightful Evening with savannah
Histrionic TaIent-A Crowded House
and Enthusiastic Audience.
The complimentary benefit given by the
Ford Dramatic Association last night, to
Miss Floride Abel and Miss Nellie
Pierce. was attended by one of the largest
and most intelligent amusement audi
ences that have ever assembled in the
Opera House. During the present season
the Fords have risen TO the rank Of pro-
fessional talent. Opening with the
drama Don Caesar de Bazan," and clos
ing with the comedy presented Last even
ing. they have given most successful
series OF entertainments which
the public has appreciated.
In the engagement Of Misses
Abel and Pierce the association secured
admirable talent, and in the choice Of the
talent from the society they were equally
successful. Everything, in fact, has con-
tributed to their success. The house was
crowded last night from the front row
down stairs to the top of the balcony.
Every seat was taken. The play through
out was admirably presented, and dis
PLAYED the ability Of the cast to an excel
lent advantage,
As Elsie Lowell, Miss Abel more than
acquired The character was beautifully
portrayed and the talented actress re-
ceived round after round OF applause.
Miss Nellie Pierce, as Kate Tyson, COM
pletely won the house and was the favor
tie of the evening. AS the young lady
full of life and cheer, she displayed her
ability as an actress of rare talent. and
received the applause she so justly mer-
tied. Miss George Sheehan, as Mrs.
Motley, won equal favor as on former oc-
| casiOns.
Mr.. Lawrence Hanley as Victor Orme,
the leading character of the play, strongly
developed his capacity. The impersOna-
ton of the character was worthy OF
talent of long experience, and was appre-
ciated by the audience with frequent and
merited applause. In the third act Mr..
Hanley won repeated favor. Mr.. Joseph
| O'Byrne IN the character of Frank Cheeny,
/ retained the favor ne has won on former
/ occasions His portrayal was in every
way a worthy one, and in his future upon
/ the stage the public will find true actor
/ Mr.. George Gray is too well known
/ before a Savannah audience TO require
/ any Introduction. His appearance last
night as Benjamin Lowell was greeted
with applause, and his acting throughout
1 was followed with the closest interest.
/ The ubiquitous musician, in the person
Z OF MI. NCOIHt MC-Alpllf W 10 ouNtCoSiti4iN
! presented, and elected much merriment
| and applause. Mr.. j. F. Doyle as 'Joseph
! Sprackling," the unprincipled man of
I wealth with aspirations to the hand OF
4 elsie Lowell" came before the audi
ence with surprise. Mr.. Doyle
/ acted the part with wonderful ability,
/ and won the favor he well deserved. Mr..
/ G. II. RossignOl, as Thomas Sprackling."
! brother of the aspiring man of wealth,
| acted exceedingly well. The remaining
| parts, including ''Sam," the servant, by
1 Master Henry Thomson, were well pOr-
/ trayed.
The baby scene in the fourth act elected
unbounded merriment, as the infant dis
I PLAYED its innate nature in lusty squat.
The reading of the poem, "Magdalena.
/ or the Spanish Duel" by Mr.. Hinton A.
/ HELPER, between the third and fourth acts,
was one Of the most attractive features of
| the evening, and was received with ap-
| plause.
Everything contributed to the success
of the entertainment. The stage arrange
ment in the first and second acts, includ-
ing the garden scene, was greatly adj
mired The management was under
| the direction of Mr.. James c. Shaw,
| Vice President of the association,
to whom is owed in a great measure the
entire success Of the entertainments.
/ With this entertainment the summer
/ series is concluded. Miss Abel will leave
/ forhe home to-day, Miss Pierce remain
/ ing for the benefit to be given the tele-
graphers next week.