The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-31
AMERICAN ARISTOCRA1S
Appear in Theatrioals at Marlboi-
ough's Blenheim Castle.
DUCHESS AS KLoNDIKE COUNTESS

While Lady Randolph Churchill Ap-
peared as Woman Reporter and the
Duke OF Marlborough Represented
Uncle Sam.
London, Dec 31..-In aid of the resto-
ration fund Of st. Marys church, Wood
stock, three performances, consisting
of tableaux and theatricals, have been
given at Blenheim palace, Wednesday
night by invitation to the tenants of the
Duke of Marlborough on the estate;
yesterday afternoon for the county
families in the neighborhood, who paid
half guinea seat and last night for
the gentry, who paid crown. Special
trains were run from Oxford, and the
audiences were crowded, particularly
last night.
The entertainment w6s given in the
long library Of the palace. The heavily
moulded white ceiling, electrically lit,
the long rows of draped bookcases and
the silver piped organ made a fine set
ting for the well dressed crowd. The
stage, draped with red curtains, was
erected at the western end, the pros
cenium surmounted by the Marlbor-
ough arms in a wreath of Christmas
greenery. which also depended from
the ceiling.
The performance opened with an
organ overture by Professor Perkins,
of Birmingham, who composed the
music for the musical burlesque. with
which 1t closed. The participants in
the performance were the Duke and
Duchess of Marlborough. Lady Lillian
and Lady Nora Spencer Churchill,
Lady Randolph Churchill, Lady Bland
ford, Lady Curzon and Lady Sarah
Wilson, and Lord Chesterfield, Lord
Curzon, the Hon. Mrs. Bourke, Mr..
Henry White, secretary Of the United
States embassy. and Mrs. White, Mr..
Henry Miner and Mr.. j. Churchill.
The Duke Of Marlborough appeared
in two tableauX as Louis XIV, with the
duchess as a court lady Of the court of
Louis XIV. Both dressed the parts
splendidly, the duchess being particu-
larly handsome. Lady Randolph
Churchill, in most superb costume,
appeared as the Empress Theodore.
Mr.. and Mrs. White appeared in a tab
teau entitled "The Eve of st. Bartholo-
news" Mr.. White as the Duke of
Guise. The tabeaux won the heartiest
applause. In the last Lord Curzon ap-
peared as Lord Nelson, the audience
joining in singing Rule Britannia"
A two act musical burlesque brought
the performance to a conclusion. It's
liberttist is Ian Malcolm, Conservative
member of parliament for Suffolk, and
one Of Lord Salisbury's private secre-
taries. 1t is feeble piece, with no
plot to speak of, but with some smart
lines and songs.
The characters were sustained by the
Duke of Marlborough, made up to rep
resent Uncle Sam: the Duchess of
Marlborough $ the Countess of Klon-
dixie; Lady Randolph Churchill, in the
role Of a woman reporter; ]. Churchill,
as a Chinaman, and Lord Churchill,
Ladies Lillian and Nora Spencer
Churchill and Hon. Algernon Bourke in
minor parts. The piece contained many
political illusions to Mr.. Gladstone,
Arthur Balfour Cecil Rhodes, Sims
Reeves, Beerbohm Tree. Emperor Will
lam and others.
Here is a specimen from the song
of Lady Randolph Churchill:
No subjects too private for me; s
I'd fall on duchess at tea. -isss
The felon in Jail, nv /
The millionaire's mail,
They're matter and money for me.
Here S verse from the song Of the
duchess:
OF course, saw the JUBILEE;
1t was firing function.
saw the queen, the queen saw me,
And bowed with special JUNCTION.