Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-09
SCORES A DECIDED SUCCESS.
Church-HilI's Pretty Dixie Chorus
Delighted y Fine Audience.

An excellent audience, both in point
Of numbers and personnel. greeted the
Dixie Chorus" at Corcoran Han on Fri
day night. and the entertainment scored
quite success in every respect.
The pretty idea of weaving the Con-
federate war songs and other cherished
southern melodies into a cantata was
conceived by Miss Julia Bickers, and with
the cooperation of the young ladies and
misses whom she selected to compose
the cast the idea was developed into
pleasing reality, and the scene presented
Friday night was one of beauty. Dixie"
was represented by Miss Bickers, Co
lumbia" by Miss Maud Gill, who played
the accompaniment in a superb manner;
'Virginia" by Miss Matte Christian.
"Uncle Sam by Mr.. Bickers. "Old Black
Joe" by Mr.. C. II. Smith, while the seve-
raj Southern States were each represented
by as many pretty maidens, Alabama
being also represented by Master Ernest
Withers "a years of age). who brought
down the house again and again by HE
cute solo singing, and cool demeanor.
All the characters wore appropriate cos
tunes, and bore Federal and southern
flags. The dialogue between Dixie and
Uncle Sam was pretty. and patriotic. there
being emphasized love of Dixie and COM
pete loyalty TO the reunited Union OF
States. The names of Lee and Grant
were both loudly applauded, the latter in
connection with the sentiment, LET us
have peace" Among the songs excellent
ly rendered. the chorus voices blending
tremendously, and the singing being
spirited and in perfect time and with
Flag" "Gwine Back to Dixie" "Swanee
Ribber." Kentucky Home Dixie"
Maryland" "Old Black Joe" CMr. Smith
acting the old plantation darby admir-
ably, "Uncle Ned" "Massa's in the Cold.
Cold Ground" 1.-The Blue and the Gray"
&C.. the whole concluding with "Ameri-
ca" and pretty tableaux. after pa
triotc defamation by little Miss Blanche
Bickers, repeating TO an encore the
chorus. sung splendidly to the popular
air. Just Tell Them That You Saw
Me-" an original song composed by Miss
Julia Blckers. for the occasion, which
made a decided hit The duets OF Misses
Fannie Gill and Otelia Woodward Doliic
Christian and Otelia Woodward, and Lii
Ne and Matte Christian were admiralty
rendered, and each number was heartily
| encored. Miss Dolie Christians solo was
also success. and Miss Woodwards alto
singing received many encomiums OF APP
| plause.
The second part Of the programme was
none the less meritorous, and embraced
q pretty duet by qittle Misses Olive Ed
ridge and Lottie Benedict who were beau
tifuny attired in costumes of the Martha
Washington period; humorous character
representations by Mr.. Myers and Mr..
Bickers; character song by Mr.. Harry
Kemp, Miss Maud Kemp playing his ac
compartment In splendid taste: solo
c"Ben Bolt). most admirably rendered
by Miss Marcie Chappell (Afr. Edward
Gary accompaniment, and whose sweet
voice and fine expression In singing al
| ways captivates an audience; n pretty
number perfectly sung by a quartette,
led by Miss Leila Martin, and two chorus
songs, by the Dixie Chorus. Encores
were the order of the night in the second
part. A pretty number not appearing
on the printed programme came as a
surprise. Mr. Robert Il. Taylor, the
originator OF the Confederate Diploma"
and secretary of that company, had had
engrossed upon one Of the diplomas
(Which was prettily framed). souvenir
sentiment as n compliment to the fine
programme. This was presented to Miss
Julia Bickers In behalf OF the donor, by
Captain Booker. in a very chaste and APP
propriate speech, and was accepted for
the recipient by Mr.. Bickers in an appro-
pirate speech. in which he said the d.
rectress of the chorus would esteem and
treasure II as testimonial 70 the whole
chorus, no less than to herself. and what
ever success might have attended the
chorus was largely due to the hearty
and loyal cooperation on the part of
each member thereof.
The stage manager, Mr.. ". Fl. Lusk.
fulfilled the duties Of his position most
creditably and the attentive ushers were
Messrs. McAllister. Southall. and Gill.
A neat sum was realized for the Trinity
parsonage fund, and the Dixie Chorus
| had several invitations 10 present their
pretty entertainment for other worthy
| causes.