The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-06
THE MIDSUMMER
NIGHTS DREAM.
Beautiful Rehearsal of the Play Took
Place Last Night,
CAST PERFECT IN THEIR PARTS.
Gorgeous Costumes and Scenery All
in Readiness for the Event AD-
ucarancc Of the Fairies - Box
Office Opens Tomorrow.

What was called "a rehearsal but which
seemed nevertheless TO Dc ID very lalr
nrst mCht performance OF "A Allu-Sum-
mer Nights Dream, was gwen al the
academy Oi Music last nslt lu the pres
eucc of ID number of pulr0uesses ana
members OF the Association Tor the re-
sertation Of Virginia Antiquities. Inc
audience was in Il holiday mood. and the
critical spirit was never manifested by
il, except once early ina the performance
when tne current GA events ou the stage
VAS Interrupted boy round oi vigorous
applause. Al no Othoy time boo the even
ins Was an act or scene Interrupted by
applause bat after each climax there was
plenty OF DO BOO which everybody joined.
Whatever may boz the financial results
OF this ambitious undertaking.. there can
be mo- doubt OF its cordial reception next
Monday a.d Tuesday evenings.
INTEREST AROUSED.
The announcement OF the production
has created a very nafterlug amount of
interest. The various lsltIati01s last
night were warmly and sometimes en-
Enthusiastically received. WIKI such
talented cast there seems uO reason 10
doubt that "A Midsummer Nights
Dream" will bring reputation 10 those
who are responsible FOR its PRONUNCIATION,
and will aad TO the laureis of the a. l..
V. a, whose entertainments are inva-
risbly planned and carried out upon the
most elaborate scale.
Seats for this production VIII be on
sale at the box Office of the Academy to-
morrow morning al . o'clock and until
the performance on next Monday night
There will bee a second presentation Of
tho play on Tuesday night
The rehearsal of the play. which oc-
CURED last night was admirably given.
II went smoothly from the start 10 finish
without any OF those distressing waits
that are wont 10 mark the ordinary
amateur production. Each member Of
the cast is thoroughly well up in the
lines and business of his part. The play
was rchearsed from start 20 finish with
the most commendabie snap and accu-
racy. Judged simply as a spectacle. not
many superior 10 IL have been seen upon
the stage of the Academy
GORGEOUS SCENERY.
The scenery i'm each OF the acts Is
gorgeOusly effective. and the mechanical
devices and electrical effects are highly
ingenious. and are as convincing as any
such devices can be these incredulous
DAYS. The costumes viii be very beau
tfful. Those worn by the attendants
and the fairies. who dance and pose and
wreath themselves into all sorts OF
charming lines. circles and clusters. at
gratifyingly frequent intervals as the
proceedings go on. are both beautiful
and seemly-sOftly contrasting as 20 color
and apparently rich as TO material; the
piece is undoubtedly IN for merry and
PROSPEROUS career. The ladies of the \.
Il. V. A. have succeeded IN gathering TO-
gether a lot of very pretty girls, who are
remarkably well drilled in their parts and
beautifully dressed.
The whole stage production SHOWS
complete mastery of subtle eject ac-
quired By apparently the simplest means.
As "A spectacle, it is gorgeous 10 very
great degree, and every detail reflects
the highest credit upon all those who
have taken any part in bringing il to its
present high state OF perfection.
THE FAIRIES APPEAR.
At the rehearsal last night the fairies
appeared for the first time. Under the
patient and skilful training Of Miss Mary
II Thaw they have been made thorough
" familiar with their parts. There are
forty I'm number and are composed Of the
most beautiful children i'm town led by
Miss Mary Rohannon who is only nine
wears old. and is one of the most beau
tiful dancers I'm town. She led the solo
doune Ga Ron HUI.