The Washington times., 1902-02-18
Theatre Packed From Pit
to Dome for Charity.
SPLENDID PERFORMANCES GIVEN
Spontaneous Applause From
Enthusiastic Audience.
THOSE PARTICIPATING.
"Thc Reward of Amar, ,iIis' and the
TsbIenux passing of Time" Pre-
scented, Under the Direction Of Mrs.
barney and Mrs. Hopkins.

!. Success" in great glowing letters
'blazed everywhere at Chase's Theatre last
night. when the entertainment for Tie
benefit of The National Junior Republic,
the Diet Kitchen, and the Associated
Charities was given by the society mat
rors and maids Of Washington. under the
direction Of Mrs. Albert Clifford Barney
and Mrs. Archibald Hopkins.
1t blazed from pit to dome. for never
before was there such IN array OF dia
mcnds sparkling in the uppermost bal
cony. casting Down cn Tue more fortunate
" located persons below tho CLINT Of
Jewels worn Ly those whose interest in
the charities was just as great. but who
had not hastened DAYS and days ago TO
yre-cmpt q chair or TWO on The lower
floor 1t was reflected back and forth
from the boxes and throughout the audi
torium Had ones gaze hecn directed
into the grandest kaleidoscope that the
genius of man could conceive, the scene
of colcr and beauty would not have been
more entrGncing than WAS this represen-
ta,ive gathering in the Capital Of the
nation of its fair women and gallant
men, assembled IN the name Of charity.
Success n Forc-auc Conclusion.
The spontaneous response of leading
residents of the city. as soon as the FIRST
mention of tie performance was publicly
made, predetermined this success. but
hardly Ike most optimistic of all those
wto contributed OF their time. their talent
and their influence toward this end could
have hoDCd for such q magnificent triumph
rs vas achieved.
The performance was given without
flaw. and the participants acquitted them
selves with such unusual credit that
society stock company for private ball
room performances next winter would not
be regarded as at all an unusual outcome
by anyone who saw last evenings court
show
The audience was not only representa-
tive locally; it was cosmopolitan. IF
there is any member of the Diplomatic
Corps who is not here tonight | do not
know him." said one OF the popular young
diplomats. as he strolled through the
theatre with a shepherdess just from the
stage. during an intermission.
AT any rate I will not know him after
this, if l find such one" he added. 1T
only proves once more-this performance
tonight-what we diplomats always have
said, that the American women are di-
vine
Doing Unique Things for Charity.
In the name of charity one may do
unique things. and by the same token. as
by the waiting of a wand conventional
;ties disappear and human kindness
crowds beyond the hospitable portals Of
charity's temporary temple all thoughts
gave those that are gentle, and good, and
Uaselfsh.
1t was so last night. The playhouse
became the temple of charity all society
came to pay its devotion in material
contributions and ephemeral applause,
and beautiful women. with taste for the
unusual. claimed the pages place in the
foyer and sold programmes and bouton-
nieres of the daintiest flowers for a
quarter each-or more.
II one did not have 25-cent piece it
was just as well to give up willingly a
half-dollar or a bill, for ii was all for
"sweet charity" you know. And even if
one is really not aware OF what that name
covers he may rest assured that one of
the omissions which is not regarded as a
Sin is forgetting to ask for the change.
Mr.. De Kovcn in His Element.
Promptly at the announced time-S:45
o'clock-Mr. Reginald De Koven raised
aloft his baton, and the orchestra selected
and trained. and specially augmented for
this particular occasion. swept into the
strains of the latest success of the direc-
tor himself the overture from Maid
Marian II there was anyone who came
hurrying to the theatre bit late-and
there were just a few-feeling just a bit
tremulous lest the performance proper
should have begun as promptly as pre-
dictcd by those in charge, Mr.. De Koyen's
few minutes of overture saved them a
great disappointment. But, fortunately,
perhaps for their peace of mind, they
were unable TO appreciate what they lost
in missing the music-and Mr.. De koven.
30 one who looked at the energetic di-
rector once but looked again. Even
deaf and dumb man would have known
that it was no ordinary performance, for
the performers benefit, after one such
glance. II couldn't have been done SO
thoroughly for mere money, this leading
of Mr. DeKoven's. 1t was for charity
with all the heart and soul and mind and
strength of the director, and everyone
who watched Mr.. DeKoven from any part
Ct the great auditorium knew it.
A spicndii Rendition.
THE Reward OF Amaryllis,' Mrs. Bur
ton Harrisons Dantomime, needs. Of
course. no explanatory note Of introduc
ticn. The rustic stage setting was ad-
,nirably cone and formed most effec-
tive background of green with contrast
ing touch OF brown and white.
The recitatiye by the Muse, Miss Wet
more. in flowing robe oil white was pre-
rise and effective within range, though to
auditors in the far seats and IN the upper
gallery probably a bit faint. To fill
theatre auditorium Tith the speaking
voice IS such a task for one unused to
that work that discerning critics com
piimeuted Miss Wetnore considerably,
The Singing Nymoh, Mrs. Shade, was
greeted with generous handclappi1gs also
for Eer. dainty SOLO part. "ligh, as the
air" in its swinging melody.
Nymphs in the Pantomimc.
The dance OF the nymphs quickly fol-
lowed. Sixteen buds Of this and the past
few scaEons WED with ore another in pre-
,.ntine the most graceful trippisgs TO and (.
fro and intricate Delsartean variations /
IL.