The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1894-03-01
Benefit Entertainment.

double bill. "Cinderella" and "The
Widows Victim" "Cinderella" was
entirely pantomime. Miss Meta
Shortridge assumed the title role. AS
the mental slave of her naughty sis
tiers her mimicry and knowledge of
her character placed her in the front
rank of the artists on that occasion.
Miss Sallie Chandler and Mrs Chas.
7. Ware, the two sisters of Cinderella,
made the silence speak volumes in
their perfect Improvisation of petulant
and naughty veal h
Miss Fannie Campbell was the good
fairy Of Cinderella Her acting was
splendid. Considering that panto-
mime is the most difficult OF nil acting,
her maunuvering with Cinderella was
much better than could have been ex-
pected from one so young,
Paul Shortridge is a born prince.
His neat limbs and elegant hearing
naturally gave him the part of Cinder-
elias prince.
l., Armbrust, the kiog, and Miss
Matte Henderson the queen, made a
royal pair indeed Nothing was moe
realistic than their dignity, throne and
paraphernalia
w. w. kirkpatrick and Guy Smith
stood guard Oh either side the throre.
The forced and painful Solemnily of
Kirk. came near bringing down the
house and promp ed some admiring
friend to transport genuine cabbage
head across the glazing lootlights, 1t
was accepted with good grace and APP
parent relish, but the speechless sentry
refused to respond TO encores.
The lords and ladies of the court had
been well selected Each seemed to
be perfect master of assimilation
and acted his and her silent part with
an ease snd grace that made he au.
dience comfortable.
There was not a balk or wrong
step made during the Performance, or
a man@uvre made which was not un-
derstood.
The costumes were perfectly fitted
and rich as the orient, where the play
was laid,
"The Widow'sVictim," farce come.
dy, was then presented with strong
caste.
George T. Woford wSs the victim
and the leading character. He easily
took his place at the head of all the
actors of the evening. His conception
OF his role was so perfect that he seem.
ed to be moulded into his lines.
Paul Shortridge, as the jealous hus
band, Mr.. Twitter, lost none of the
reputation tie had made in the panto
mime His easy speech and knowl
edge CT his character, added to vigor
Gus acting. will cause him to be re
membered as Mr. Twitter in the sec
ont play rather than the prince in The
first. The same can be said of Mis-
Sallie Chandler, who also appeared il
both plays Her voice aeded to he
charms. he audience thought sh,
was sweet when she fell into the arm
of her husband, but her arms were
little rigid during the embrace. Sh
is sensible gal, however, and actet
her part with natural zeal that woI
for her genuine applause.
Miss Florence Harris took the lead
ing female part as Mrs. Rattleton, tn
widow Her stately and natural grace
well modulated voice and perfect cor
ception of her part enabled her to ran
with her victim, Mr.. Wofford. Sh
never made an error.
Miss Florence Wilson was the reciE
lent Of much admiration as Jan
Chatterhy. She IS p natural soubret.,
Her rich intonation and vitality wei
fascinating. She had the most difficu
part in the play to make real, bu
the applause which she Gillette
showed how we'll she portrayedit. HI
local hits we're we'll presented an
we'll received. She, like Mr.. Woffor
may be regarded as professional"
Ed. Duncan trod the boards as "Je
. emiah Clip" tonsorial artist Ed.
one of the best all.round actors in tt
lot. He is perfectly natural, easy an
is master of his lines. He soon tax
the confidence of his hearers and new
allows the interest to lag,
The music was furnished by MI
Harry Williams, violinist, and her 81
, ter, Miss Flora Hayward, organist.
r The entertainment was succe
, from top to bottom, financially as w
D as from a histrionic standpoint, al
); was we'll attended and appreciated.
The total absence of that abomin
|, BILE afectaUion so common to am
|. ateurs was striking and refreshing.
> The audience was we'll behaved al
II composed of the best people of job
-, son City. The gallery gods seemed
il times as if they were afraid they won
G. not get their moneys worth al
stamped tor the curtain to go up, b
G.. there was probably not a real diss