Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-08
PRESS CLUB BENEFIT
It Commenced OF Tine, With the Grand
Opera House Crowded.
Some Changes in the Arrangement
of the Program on Account of the
Delay to the New York Train.

The great benefit performance given by
the National Capital Press Club began
promptly at noon today at Aliens Grand
Opera House in the presence OF one OF
the largest and most fashionable audiences
that has ever gathered in this city. Every
seat in the boxes and the auditorium was
filled. and in the rear there were rows OF
people standing who had not been able TO
secure seats, so great was the demand.
And it was performance well worth
Drawing the snow and cold to see NUM-
Der of the leading actors in this country
had volunteered their services, and the re-
suit was an entertainment the like OF
which has never before been seen here, and
even surpassed the entertainment that
was given under the auspices of the Press
Club two years ago.
A considerable change was necessarily
made in the program, for the New YORK
performers, whose special train was de-
layed by the blizzard, had originally peen
put down in the first part. In their places
some of the later features had to be NOV
ed up. This change imposed some her GU
lean labors on Mr. Alfred Fisher, the
stage manager. but he got through them IN
a mastery manner that earned him the
gratitude of all the Washington newspaper
men for all time to come. 1t was case OF
everyone putting his shoulder to the wheel
and as q sample of the way things were
done it is only necessary to say that Mr..
Schoeffel of Abbey Schoeffel and Grau, the
managers for Mr.. Beerbohm Tree. said that
Mr. Tree would go ahead and do his Iuil
share, even though he forfeited thereby all
chance of getting back to New YORK IN
time for his performance this evening.
The programs of today's entertainment
were themselves unique and handsome
souvenirs of the occasion. They were got
ten up in book form, and the frontisplece
was clever drawing by Mr.. George \.
Coffin that was thoroughly appropriate
Inside were photogravure portraits OF the
leading artists who took part
The first feature of the program was
couple of selections by the ever-popular
Marine Band, under the leadership OF Prof.
Fanciulii.
Then came turn" by the famous Ia
kezawo Imperial Japanese troupe or Jug
giers and contortionists. whose clever
tricks brought forth rounds and rounds of
applause. So did the whistling of Mrs.
ample of the variety that characterized
the program Mrs. Shaw was followed on
the stage by Mr. Thomas Ryan. in an eX-
hIbition of scientific ball punching. Mr..
Shofer, the juggler. followed
There was delay about this time, wait
ing for the train that would not come
and it left at midnight, too!
1t is expected that the benefit will net
the Press Club between 5000 and $1,000
Shortly before o'clock the New York
people reached the theater. cold and hun
Cry but ready to go right on without any
further delay. Mr.. Tree announced that
he and bis company would make no sf1ort
to get back to New York tonight, and the
peoI1e from .'L'Enfant Prologue at the
Eden Musee. also decided that it was out
of the question to try to get away from
Washington this evening.