The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-11
THE DREAM A SUCCESS.
Large and Weli-PIeascd Audience
Witnessed it

The large and representative audience
which gathered az the Academy OF Music
last night 10 witness the first production
of ~ Midsummer Nights Dream under
the auspices of the Society for the Pre-
servation OF Virginia Antiquities. were
thoroughly pleased with the performance.
and TIE applause WAS frequent and
hearty. The city papers had been liberal
in their advance notices Of the play. and
IN so who a. ended nal hi sh exp Citations.
They Nose nol disappointed. and many
favorable criticisms were heard during
the evening.
"A Midsummer Nights Dream" is
difficult plav to produce. There must be
the utmost care taken TO preserve that
strange combination OF the graceful and
grotesque. and the tendency 10 crudeness
and something awkward is very strong
The production last night was free from
the usual amateur bitches and sugges-
tions Of confusion. II moved along with
remarkable smoothness. Zach perform
or seemed 20 be perfectly familiar with
his part. and there was every evidence
Of faithful training as well as individual
merit. The performers appreciated their
parts. and nearly al of them acquitted
Themselves IN manner that reflected
high degree OF credit upon both actor
and trainer The fairies and dancing
sprites presented a most graceful and
attractive picture. When the vari-hued
lights were thrown upon them, the SOFT
white dresses and fans. together with
their easy movement over the stage IN
twos and I'm groups presented a pictur-
esque and beautiful scene
Miss Margaret Leahy, as Oberon. King
of the Fairies. was the recipient Of many
favorable criticisms
The members OF the cast certainly de-
served much credit for the excellent way
in whicA they conducted themselves. Mr.
Henry *. Terry. Jr. as Theseus. Duke Of
Athens. was easy IN bearing, and did very
clever work
Miss Anne Wise Mayo. as Hippoyta
Queen OF the Amazons. was graceful, and
exceedingly attractive in that part.
Dr. Russell Pem0erton as Lysander,
and Mss Leahy as Hernia, both ac-
quilted themselves with much credit, and
Mr. j. W Leaver, Jr., as Egeus, proved
himself a. capable actor. Alr. John Tyler
Jr. as Demetrius. and Miss Patu T.
McGehee each acted with ease and con-
fdence. Miss Loula C.. Nass made
graceful Titania
The part Of Puck. which is one Of the
most difficult in the play, was done in
fine styie by Miss Blanche Morgan. She
acted with remarkable ease. Her stage
presence was greatly in her favor and
fhe manner i'm which she handled herself
was exceedingly clever. She showed
thorough appreciation Of the possibilities
of her mart. and every detail was carried
out i'm a manner that would have done
Justice to a finished actress Miss Nor
gan was the recipient OF especial praise
on all sides
Lack OF space prevents further detailed
references. Others who may be fayorably
mentioned I'm the play besides the fairies
and dancing sprites. and their attendants
are. Miss Jessie Webb Miss Nellie Lyon
and Messrs. Charles Guy Hequembourg.
Thomas Branch McAdams. Joel Perrin,
Henry Hotchklss. and w. IT, Gordon and
Miss Nancy Brooks.
The fairies and dancing sprltes who
nerformed their parts delightfully."- were;
Miss Mary BOhannon...,..... SOLO cancer.
Pe4seblOssOm.... O.. o.. ....-...b trace Neal
Mustardseed.. o. ............'airle Nedl
Moth. o.. o. .. O.. ..........---.l-oul1e loliS
Cohuyeb ........ Celeste Weislgar
Cora Catlln. Mary Catlin, Matte Rose.
Page shelburne. Page Grymes Emily
McCabe Thaw. Evelyn Prentiss Hhaw,
Marie COttrell. Marion Lea, Lizzie Hotch-
kiss. Myra Chambers. Sadie Atkins kath-
hen Alison. Josie Galesk. Louise Tomp-
son, Aaile iIdHH' Ndu'ii"a .''".r '"o-
las Galloway Otey Minor Annie Macon
Potts. Mary PattosOn. Page Hewlett,
Alice Ingram. Louise O'Bren. Eliza In
gram, Gertrude Weisigar. Margarite Wei
sigar. Louise Weis'gar Mary Tyler. Lola
Brown. Ruth Cunningham. Lunnie Cum
ningham. Efie Prosser. Ethel Tuke. Vera
Woodson. Kate McPhail Hazel Shack
elford Ruth Marsden.
The music WAS as beautiful as It was
characteristic. II was from Mendels-
sohn's works and was in charge OF Miss
Bessie Pace Professor Herbert Rees was
the PIANIST and the orchestra OF sixteen
pieces was under the direction OF Pro-
fessOr Stein.
The performance will be repeated to-
NIGHT and will be given at a matinee
Saturday.