Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-16
LIVING CHESS WE'LL PLAYED.
A Novel Performance Enjoyed ny
Large Audience Las; Might.

Large Audience Last Ntght'
Living Chess" product Of the novelty
counter Of the amusement emporium
was played for the FIRST time In this city
al the Academy OF Music last evening for
the benefit OF the Old Dominion Hospital
The audience was large one, assembled
to enjoy the delightful programme 50
aptly rendered by the participants. me
students and nurses of the hospital at
tended the performance IN body.
The game OF Living Chess" is an in
yasion into new territory for material
10 raise the risibles of the public. The
performance is as unique as 1t IL enter
tanning. The stage is covered with a
canvass sheet, divided mo squares to
represent a chess-board. Upon this board
the game - played by two expert chess
players with ladies and gentlemen and
children. costumeG TO represent the figures
Of the game.
TO the strains OF n march. the heralds,
Messrs. William holland and J.. S. Jones'
attrtd i'm med aeval costume, appeared
and announced the arrival Of the magi-
clans. Messrs. Mac Jones and Reeves
London. They entered with the demeanor
If Solons, and occupied their respective
thrones at the right and left of the
stage. Following them were the pawns
.Alo-N- tfdII, AcIti'it5, fhIStliiln
Cameron, Wright. Woods, and Clarkscn,
and Masters Montague. Blanton, Fleming,
Meyers, Cohen, Meyers, Christian. and
Grigg. the former beconitngly dressed In
white, and the latter in crimson cults.
The castles, Misses Mamie Harrison,
Judith Deane. Mary McCaw, and Ida
Barganiu, looking charming and quite
bewltching IN their costumes of red and
white. with miniature castle walls in
gold upon thelr shoulders, next appeared.
The bishops, Messrs. Peasants. Cameron.
Brander ana Robertson, looking most
sanity in their papal robes and hats, and
the knights, Messrs. Binford. Bianlienship
Philip Powers, rutherford. IN mail
armor and shining swords. were the next
to occupy their positions upon the board.
The queens. Misses Lucy Wormley and
Nellie Mayo, I'm regal robes. and charm
ing picture OF beauty and grace, were es-
corted 20 their positions by Drs. Massie
and Miller. two naughty and dignified
kings.
AT Il signal from the magicians or
players the heralds advanced to the cen
tire OF the stage, and announced the COM
mencement Of the Tournament. AS the
moves were designated by the magician
the figures would advance 10 the proper
position. In this manner the tournament
progressed, until the red figures, under
the skilful manipulation of Mr.. Mac
Jones' proved victorious over their op-
ponents. the whites. The second tourna-
ment was won by the white figures, under
the direction of Mr.. London.
The game, taken as a whole. is most
attractive entertainment. The costumes
Of the characters were sumptuous and
brilliant, both In design and material.
The musical programme was a most
attractive Interpolation. Mr.. I1addon S.
Watkins's sweet tenor voice was heard
10 great advantage in For All Eternity"
and Mrs. Carrie Staude-Rowe, after an
admirable rendition OF "'Tis l." was
forced to respond TO an encore. Little
Miss Stella Cohen and Mr. Andre Burthe
sang topical songs in a manner that cap
tivated the audience. 4 soprano solo
from the pirates of Penzance," by Mrs.
A. ID. Iasigi deservedlv won an encore.
The dance by Miss Mary Thaw's class.
and the fancy dances Of Miss Fannie Nit
teldorfer were prominent features Of the
programme.