Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-05-03

The CHARITY BENEFIT.-The cur
tain rose last night in Lannon's Opera
House upon one of the most brilliant
and appreciative audiences that ever
filled that building. The ushers full
filled their duties with all the savoir
ana grace that might have been ex-
/ pected from Drs. O'Brien, Gatewood
and Ashby, Capt. Mushbacb, Mr.. HUI
bert Snowden, Mr.. John Critcher and
Mr.. Harry Burke. After a charming
number by the orchestra Capt. J. V.
Davis recited in his usual happy style
verses illustrating the beautiful tab
leauX that followed. The curtain then
rose on Paradise filled with angels
chosen from Alexandria's fairest girls.
The Golden Gate of Heaven was
guarded by one bright particular spirit,
Miss Morrill,, whose soft tones showed
with what regret she denied entrance to
the beautiful Peri, Mrs. ]. G.. Howell,
who with pathetic grace plead for
entrance. The scenes that followed
each other in quick succession were
exquisite in detail and artistic in
etfect-worthy OF the poets conception
of his theme. The posing by our tai
eDted young artist, Miss Catherine
Critcher, showed the touch of a master
hand. The gorgeous stage setting and
costumes and brilliant lights transport
ed the audience to the Orient. The
prima donna of the evening, the pretty
piQuant Bertha Lincoln, charmed the
audience with her bird like tones. Miss
Lincoln was accompanied on the piano
by the fascinating Miss Young, of Wash
ington. The feature Of the evening
was the exquisite dancing of the little
Misses Bessie and Mamie Jones, who
gave fancy dauce with the grace and
skill worthy of "a Carmencita. 1t was
Very pretty 10 see the tiny maidens re-
celve their numerous beautiful flowers
with the unconcious beauty OF childhood,
and respond TO vociterous eucores with
all the aplomb fla noted premier dams
eust. Inc wonderful serpentine dance by
Mr. Ed Hough, of the Paint and Pow
der Club followed, amid perfect dark
nes, and To the soft tones of the orches-
ira he performed the most weird and
wonderful evolutions, while the ever
changing opalescent lights cast strong
and beautiful shadows. At one moment
the sinuous form was covered with
showers of roses. then wrapped in the
Il . OF the country. Mr. Hough is truly
marvellous and is equally charming in
propria persona. Then came the en-
pertaining farce Turn Him Out" The
leading role was filled By Mr.. Hay. To
dwell on this gcnteman's histronic
talent would be to paint the lily. Every
appearance was greeted by uproariots
laughter and applause. Time will
never wither or custom stale 'Ned's
infinite variety" Last night endeared
him anew to his Old friends, and made
him many new ones. DIR. Frank Hes
ter surprised his most sanguine ad
mirers in his inimitable imperSonation
of the heavy swell from his monocle to
his vanished boots He was simply
immense and carried house and gallery
from start to finish. Mr.. James +.
Peyton, with only four days prepare
ton for his role, won deserved and fire.
quent applause by his admirable acting,
which proved him the right man in the
right place. Miss Myra Lee CAVALIER
played leading lady in her usual grace
full and charming style. Although not
strictly her role, she displayed her great
versatility of style. Miss Van Name
was typical soubrette, while her bright
eyes and piquant glances made havoc
with the audience. The stage setting
was due to the kindness of NJ. Ru
ben & Son. The performance concluded
with most clever burlesque of ballet
which caused roars of laughter, and
was most successfully carried out by
popular jolly society man. That there
was not vacant scat in the house
showed the graceful readiness with
which Alexandria always responds to
the call of charity.