The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-06
BEAUTY IN THE EIRMESS.
a Brilliant Presentation Of The Dances
Of the Nations.

Danced to Admlrlng Soclety-Ihe
Performance Probably the Richest
Ever Seen in the South-A Success
sion of Dazzling Tableaux and
Graceful Dances.
The first appearance of the Kirmess be
fore Savannah audience was a gratihca-
ton and delight that was far beyond
anticipation.
ANY description would be inadequate TO
picture the brilliant scenes, tableaux,
costumes and dances that from prologue
to concluding march were constantly be-
fore the eye.
1t was simply brilliant and harmon
ious multitude of beauty, eacL part so ar
ranged and managed as to give
the most pleasant effect. No detail was
lost sight of, which would add to the per-
fectness of any dance or tableau. The
attention given TO and the eff
forts made by each individual performer
gave a completeness and finish to each
part of the performance that made slight
defects, if there were any, entirely I'M
noticeable.
Too much cannot be said in praise of
those who had the performance under
their charge. Prof T. NJ. Agostini, the
composer and director, has had
entire charge of the rehearsals,
He has given similar presentations in
Macon. Atlanta, Memphis and Birming
ham, and he had no hesitation in saying
that this was one of the most beautiful
Harnesses he had ever seen. Certainly it
must have been difficult to have surpassed
it. He has displayed untiring efforts and
unwearying patience in bringing the per-
Torrance up to the perfection that it
reached.
Mrs. Walter G. Charlton, secre-
tary and business manager, and the
entire committee have worked hard and
faithfully for the success of the enter
tainment, and their efforts were fully re-
warded. Prof. J. M. Black made an able
stage manager, and Prof. r. e. Cobb
handled the music with his customary
ability and good taste.
THE PERFORMERS
Nor can too much credit be given each
of the $50 dancers, who spared no time
and expense to make his or her
part a success. There is pretty
sentiment in their devoting their time and
attention to this work for the noble chart
table ends in view. Without individual
effort the Kirmess could never have been
made the success that it was perhaps
the handsomest spectacular production
ever given in the south. The spirit of
the work was highly commendable, the
result brilliant and successful.
The plaudits of an admiring audience
attested that such results were attained
\ Il. \. u
speech the witnesses OF a spectacular
production may be called, numbered
itself with the seats and square feet of
standing room in the theater. Patti at
81 a ticket, could not have beat
it, nor could she have won
from admirers of her talent more sincere
praise. Comments on Ii q beauty of each
feature of the performance, and the grace
of the performers were heard on every
side. There was simply a succession OF
surprises, and few would have cared or
dared to decide which dance was the
most beautiful, or which dancer the most
graceful.
ORIGIN OF THE KIRMEss.
Kirmess means church festival It is
feast of German origin, it being Gus
tomary with the Germans to give such a
celebration after the dedication of a
church.
The mass and dedication of new
church are given in the morn
ing. The festival and dancing
take place Sunday afternoon, usually,
under the Linden tree. Such celebra-
lions are often kept up for years com
memoratiye of the anniversary of the
church's dedication.
In America the Kirmess was originally
given in a large hall, around which were
booths of different nations. In these
were sold wares from the ma
I
attendance wore costumes in conformity
Each night a dance af one nation would
be given, week being filed out in this
way.
The dancing came to be such feature
that the booths were finally done away
with, and the Kirmess in this country
then came TO be a presentation of the
ideal dances Of ten different
nations, These were combined and
put on the stage as a spectacular play,
THE THEATER DECORATED
The theater was very prettily decorated
for the performance The idea of the
ladies in charge was to have it in har-
mony as far as possible, with the brilliant
costumes of the dancers.
Flags of the different nations
represented hung in graceful folds on
the walls, and floral decorations hung
from the chandeliers and balcony posts.
A special squad of police was on de-
tailed duty at the theater, Chief Green
himself being present Mr.. George L.
Cope, assisted by Mr.. James H. Hunter
and MIR. Hal S. johnson, had
charge of the door. The theater
attaches spared no pains to
furnish all the assistance needed. The
stage arrangements added to the pleasing
effects.
THE PROLOGUE AND TABLEAUY.
The prologue introducing the Kirmess
was recited by Miss Lucy Boyd She was
costumed as Gypsy, in which cast she
took part
The prologue was a pretty one and
well recited. 1t introduced the
grand pyramidal tableau in which
were arranged all the performers in cos
tune. The tableau must be witnessed 20
comprehend its beauty. Around the cen
trial figure, the stately queen, Mrs.
w. w. Gordon, Jr., were arranged
in beautiful harmony and pictur-
esqueness the flowers, gypsies, In
dams, the representatives of Sweden,
France, Japan, Spain and Greece,
In pyramidal procession, while suspended
over all was Cupid with his darts The
brilliant red light gave a pretty effect,
and an encore called for . second appear
ance Of the scene.