Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-30
A SCENE OF BEAUTY.
The RlrmssS Presented Last Night with
Better Effect Than Before.
Both the Nile WorshIpperS and
Greek Cymbai Dancers Appears
Also the Rainbow and May-Polc--
Miss Handy as Virginia Tonight.

The audience that witnessed the Kir-
mess at the Academy last night,
while not quite as large az those
which assembled IN the playhouse on
the two previous evenings. was equally
as brilliant. The spectacle was present.
ed In an almost perfect manner, and
the participants now execute their dances
with as much ease and grace as IL they
had been tripping before the footlights
for years. instead Of having only given
their third performance.
The Kirmess opened last night with
the grand pageant of the nations. and the
difficult march was executed without any
hesitation on the part OF any one. The
beautiful Queen. Miss Bessie Martin,
/ led il, with her usual grace and stateli-
ness. while Columbia Miss Annie Nc
Guire) was on her throne at the back
! ground. standing, as does the nation
| she represents, above them all, and
picture fair to behold. II is not an easy
! pose. and the length OF the march
makes it very difficult for the beauti-
full girl to stand. statue-llke. without
culver, but never for once does she move.
| Tho tableau at the conclusion of the
march was received with the same hearty
applause that was given at tho
| other performances.
NORTH COUNTRY GERMAN DANCE,
The first number on the programme
after the grand march was the North
Country German dance, perhaps the
comedy hit or the Kirmess. for 1t
never fails to provoke laughter among
the audience. and even Director Mac
donnell has TO give way TO mirth when
the men approach the footlights and
commence coniding in each other.
The celebration OF the overflow of the
Nile was then given with all the stateli-
ness and grace which characterized
It's first presentation. The Nile
Worshippers. with their slow movements.
gracefully bending to touch their long
handled fans to the earth are a beauti-
full sight. Then follow the Little Sphinx
Worshppers, copies In miniature OF the
preceding dancers. and gracefully they
execute their parts. The Egyptian
tabeaux. which ends this number. are
the most beautiful of any of the stage
pictures presented in the Khness.
The click of the castlnets Is next
heard. and the Spanish weiding-dance
is on with all its beauty and grace.
The mon I'm this dance are the most
graceful. perhaps. of any OF the male
participants I'm the Kirmess, with the
exception Of those IN the minuet
Then came the Greek fete, and Miss
Normeley, a beautiful Goddess OF the
Chase, is again brought IN in triumph,
and the cymbal-dance is executed be-
fore her with grace that characterizcs
every movement OF the lovely women
who 20 through its intricate ovolu-
tons. Miss Wormeley was again the
recipient Of a huge bunch Of roses. which
ono OF the Greek athletes laid at her
feet.
When the curtain again ascends we
have left Greece. and for a few mo-
ments are subjects Of the Emperor OF
Japan. The Little Japs execute their
dance with all the hobs and mods they
know so we'll how 70 make and when
they all. with one accord. PROSTATE their
little bodies, until their very heads touch
the floor, IL is impossible Tor any audi
ence TO keep serious face.
THE RAINBOW DANCE.
The curtain is down but an instant,
after the Ttipu Quadrllle Is finished,
and when it again rises the Little Japs
are seated on each side OF the stage.
And then comes the rainbow dance.
executed by Miss Mary Hayes. and beau
tiful. indeed it is. 4 fitting vision OF
loneliness in white is the dancer. as
holding the edges OF her accordon-pleat-
ed skirt in each hand. she slides grace
fully FIRST 10 one side OF the stage and
then to the other.
The May-pole dance by special request,
was presented next. and was led without
a mistake by Miss Adelaide Watkins and |
Mr.. Eddie Harrison. The girls I'm this |
dance look charming in their organdie |
dresses and bewitchins hats.
Then came the Swcu4sn aance, and for /
a short while The tinkling OF their bells |
was heard. as they went through their 4
pretty figures. one Of the most graceful /
OF the gentlemen In this dance Is Mr.. j. /
W Dawson, Jr.. Of Charleston, 5. {.
The Indian dance, as usual was the /
last number on the programme. Miss /
Randolph. the Princess, could not appear
last night. and so Mr.. Henry Valentine.
The "squaw," while not presenting exactly /
the same beautiful appearance. ably filed I
her place. The braves have lost none OF
their herceness. and the girls are as MINI
bic as ever. and the "act' was given
with more vim than at the previous per-
formances. Even The 'red-nre" knew its
business. and promptly Jared Up when
the match was applied 10 ii.
TWO PERFORMANCES TO-DAY.
The sale OF seats for the matinee to-day
indicates that the house will be packed
from top TO bottom. The features which
are OF especial interest TO children will
be presented at the performance this al
ternoon.
The feature of the programme tonight /
will be the tableau sic Semper Tyrannis,"
with the beautiful Miss May Handy as
Virginia" This living picture will be
presented the seventh number on the
programme, and though the magnificent
spectacle which ends this evening could
not be closed with fairer scene than
the sight OF the southern beauty as she
poses as Virginia" yet the audience will
not be held two hours and a half before
they are allowed TO ssze upon a face and
figure thai artists well might rave over.
The following is the programme for to-
night:
]. Overture.
2. Grand tableau OF the nations and
led by the Queen of the Kir-
mess.
3. Ancient Grecian fete and entry OF
Diana, attendants. and cymbal dancers,
by Greek cymbal dance.
4. japanese court dances.
8 English May-Pole dance.
6. Rainbow dance-Miss Mary HAYES.
Z. Tableau. Virginia" Miss May Handy
s. Swedish Christmas-Eve Festival
lance.
O. Spanish wedding dance.
10. North Country German dance