Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-12
A FAIRY SPECTACLE.
The Dream n Perfect Delight 10 the
Young FoIks-Mntince saturday.

"a Midsummer Nights Dream" was
again presented at the Academy last
night before a goodsized audience. The
performance if anything. went off even
more smoothly than on the evening before,
and there were none of those bitches or
long waits which too often mar amateur
entertainments. The production Is beau
tiful as spectacle, ana the thorough
appreciation which each member OF the
cast has of his or her part. and the
bright music, rendered by large Orches-
ira. add in no little degree 10 the success
of the presentation. To the children II
must seem a glimpse or fdlryldnd, LOT
after the second scene they are led
through beautiful mOonlit forest groves,
where elves and COLLINS hold their reVels,
where fairies dance in the mellow rays,
and Puck that roguish sprite. causes such
mischief TO the mOrtals who find them
selves in the realm OF ODeron ana llta-
mia.
As the troop of fairies with graceful
movement dance out on the green,
waving their feathery white plumes in
the soft lights of varied hues mat steal
across the sward during their merry
making. while music. light and fantastic,
and suggestive OF the reYelS OF ewes ana
COLLINS is heard from the orchestra. the
SPECTATORS after gazing a moment IN al
miration break forth in hearty applause.
And well does the spectacle merit tins
demonstration of approval w nat COuIu
be more ludicrOus than the scene at rita
MOS hover. when the Fairy queen IL
weakened by the dulcet notes Of Bottom,
who with the head OF an ass iNed hiinly
upOn his shoulders. struts across the
green sward and raised his voice in mar
monious" sounds. Then there Is the Ia
inevitable comedy i'm the last act, when
AZ both performances wrecked the gIdNl-
~ of the audience. And II IS wei cdlcu-
lated to cause mlrth. t
Every one who has in charge the Narl-
f.,a, tnfs.s is Al as
ing of praise for their efforts TO which
i'm a large measure the success OF the
entertainment is due. Miss Bessie Pace
has the music under her direction. ana
with the aid of Professor Stein, tils I'M
nortant portion of the programme Is exc
cuted i'm a most perfect and artistic man
ner Miss Mary Thaw trained the
"fairies" in their dances and marches'
and their work reflects credit upon hSr.
Miss Nancy Brooks of course, must De
given the credit for the manner in when
The members of the cast sustain their
parts as she has spent weeks III careful
iv rehearsing them, though, or course,
the splendid results accomplished are IN
snY,s measure due TO the talents of the
narticipants The stage is under the man.
ogement of Mr.. f.. Bruce Chesterman.
Jr who has no enviaDle TASK upon ms
Shoulders when IL Is remembered mat
ninety people Cmostiy eiris' partiSSipa'e
i'm the performance. Mr.. o. {. Chrlsto-
nher furnishes the electric-light effects.
last night the members or the cast
we're entertained at Murphys Hotel by
the Association for the Preservation OF
Virginia Antiquities. A faShlight photo
erarh was taken of the cast and Stage
Committee after the performance last
There will be q special matinee Satur-,
dov next. at which popular prices VIII
u roe,,aiI II was decided TO give this addi-
pIN,,oi performance in order that the
many children who desire TO witness the
heautiful spectacle might be afforded an
opportunity TO do so.