Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-25
THE GRAoE-sTREET BENEFIT.
4 Large Audience Enjoys the Long
mud Varied Programme.


For a Christian object. and literally
patronized by the public sealed the bene-
TT for the rebuilding fund Of the Grace
Street Baptist church at the Academy
OF Music last evening a success.
The audience was a good-slzed one,
fashionable, representative, and to
noticeable extent in evening dress. The
patrons came with the intention of being
amused and so they were, for very few
entertainments Of a similar class have
embraced such excellent dramatic and
musical talent, nor have they progressed
with the same uninterrupted smooth
ness that marked the vaudeville last
evening. Encores were prohibited by
the managers, but the rule was dis
obeyed by the audience, and the paru-
cipants in several of the numbers were
compelled to respond TO the earnest APP
plause that went up from the auditorium.
The Drill Of All Nations" by the boys
OF the Male Orphan Asylum. under the
skilful direction Of Mrs. Gill, was a
most appropriate caption for the lengthy
programme that followed. The boys
were attired In the uniforms Of the proni-
nent nations of the world, and the
different figures executed by them du-
ring the drill were remarkable, both Tor
the easy manner in which they were
executed. and the tender years of most or
the participants
The Blues Band. under the leadership
Of Mr.. ID. A. Richie. which had ac-
companied the boys during their drill.
played a medley with concord and studied
phrasing Their number was followed
by a quartette-Mrs. Carrie Staude-
Rowe, Miss Eva Lawson. and Messrs.
Frank Cunningham and oscar Lob
man-who sang Holden's THE Mellow
Eve" In a most creditabie manner
Those ever-welcome lnstrumentalists-
the Ola Dominion Sextette-whose play
ing ia always resonant with delightful
melody, did not fail to retain their posi-
ton with an admirable execution Of Herr
mans "Enchantment"
Miss Lawson, Mrs. Rowe and Mr..
Cunningham composed a trio that won
a small tempest OF applause, after singing
"'rhe Fountain Of Love"
Mr.. Mac Jones, the only Mac who can
make chalk talk interrupted the pro-
gramme at this point with one of those
inimitable talks OF his that are a pala-
table relief for stubborn case Of melan-
chola.
Good Night" an alto solo. was made
a gem of by Mrs. J. X. Durretts sweet
and cultivated voice,
Mrs. Clyde Brooklyn West. embodying
grace and poetry of motion, gave
model exhibition of Delsarte posturing.
A piano duet. well-performed by the
Misses Florsheim, preceded Mr.. Andre
Burthe with his budget Of cOmical songs
and limitations that created a whirl-
wind of amusement, and never satisfy
an audience until they are twice repeat
ed. He made decidedly the hit of the
evening. and his admirers were 10th.
after an encore. TO allow him to retire
from the stage.
The Webb QuaTtette-composed Of
Miss Maud Porter, Mr.. and Mrs. Eu-
gene H. Cloves. and Mr.. Oscar Lehman,
and accompanied by Professor Shepherd
Webb--were assigned the next number Of
the programme 1t is almost needless
TO say that the singing of the quartette
was pleasing, and not before in public
have they been heard TO more advantage
than I'm their singing of "The Merry.
Merry Miller" from Reginald DeKo-
VEINS opera. "Rob Roy" The voices Of
Messrs. Haddon S. Watkins and Thurs
ton Cardoza were given an excellent
plav of their cultivation I'm Italia"
Their ranges are in sympathy. and COM
bine with a musical effect that is de-
lightful.
After a well-receved baritone solo by
DR.. Ralph Clements, Johnny Ryall
amused the audience with stories re-
plete with wit. He also sang in way
that is his own, "Mrs. OFlariety."
The programme was concluded with
comedetta, entitled. "a Happy Pair"
which told, notwithstanding the cogno-
men, the story of a young married
couples quarrels. Miss Lenore Duke, a
charming amateur. with a broad know
ledge of stage business, made fascinat-
ing Mrs. Honeyton, who caused the quar-
rel. Mr.. Hugh Johnson did well as
the contending Mr.. Honeyton.
The benefit was under the management
OF Mr.. Horace +. Smith, whose skill as
"A promoter Of such entertainments Is
generally recognized.