The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-19
THIRD AND LAST CHIME.
ANOTHER LARGE AUDIENCE aREETs
THE TALENTED AMATEURS.
An Incident of the Opening Night, When
Occurred a Shower OF Flowers I'm
precedented in the History OF the
Memphis Theater Stage.

"The Bells Of Bonneville" chimed
sweetly again yesterday afternoon to well
come the return OF Henri, the marquis
whose grand and gloomy old castle had
stood for years deserted, save by imaginary
ghouls, owing TO tho heirs exile, as one OF
the fruits OF war.
The Ginning is q mere figure OF speech,
TO express the performance OF the popular
opera by amateurs, under Amateur Ath-
letic Association auspicies, and under the
musical direction Of Prof. Emile Levy.
Another large and fashionable audience
was present TO witness the production. 1t
was fitting climax Of effort and amateur
skill. Each and every one participating
acquitted themselves with the degree OF
excellence expected from the promise
practically given in the preceding per-
formances.
Reverting to the first. night OF the
opera, there has thus far escaped pub
| licity an incident that illustrates
the severe ordeals through which
| the stage manager for an amateur enter
tainment must frequently pass. 1t was an
emergency that called for no halfway
measures, and one that ninety-nine men
cut Of one hundred would have quailed
and fallen before. Just before the curtain
was rung up on the opening scene, stage
Manager MacSweeney beheld a gorgeous
array OF tropical flowers. There was moth
ing alarming, the average citizen will OBJ
serve, in that sort OF display. Rather was
IL cause for rejoicing that the delicious
Nltn Han
and musty condition which created OBJ
noxious odors. But eternal fitness oil
things must DO subserved. The opening
scene OF "Tho Chimes" deals with pleas.
Lantry. The youth and maidcnhood OF that
class OF the villages inhabitants were
collected TO wag the tongue in gossip
and discuss the eventiul annual fair soon
10 opon. For tho opening chorus the stage
director had placed the people in two semi
circular lines, the ladies' in front
with military precision. II some
what romindcd the witness o
company OF raw recruits executing ia
first platoon wheel, halted in the midst o.
it by the commander 10 reprovo the sol.
dion for not keeping the line. IL wa
pretty, but for peasants one could not hell
remarkng that tho 'old man" OF thes,
boys was deuccd liberal in the matter o.
dress for his offspring. However, the
feast for the eye deadoncd criticism on IN,
departure from historical correctness IL
costuming. but Mr. MacSwecny per
ceiyed that more serious departure haC
been made, one that the critics nigh
pounce upon, and even hold him up 70
castgation. Everybody in the choru
wore bouquet. They ranged in style AM
makeup from the single rosebud and les
10 the corsage arrangement aud on up th
grade to an immense wreath hung will
charming grace over the shoulders. Til
discovery was made just prior I
J the signal to roll up tho curtain
IL aroused the ardOr Of the super
visor. lie didn't believe the peasan
! girls II France, 800 years ago wore flower
and, further, he was certain that some {
! the flowers making his eyes sparkle wit
/ delight were not the result OF the carli'
horiiculturists ingenuity, skill and y
i ticnt experiment. "lll have no Howe
;. here" lac exclaimed. aud followed IL d
! with determined dive Tor two Of the mo
n picturesque aud fragrant collections. u
d jerked them from their fastcnings and VI
Il proceeding along the line with reckle
7. speed aud pcrsistency, but soon found u
Il task light one. The ladies had sudden
y realized the meaning and iorcc Of h
y language, unpinned theft bouquets M
i passed them silently 10 the rear. II VI
n remarked that never. in the history Of q
X local stage, was there such shower
% flowers