The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-15
Theatrical Performance CfoWn- ing Event of German Em-
 peTOt's Visit to England
SIR HENRY IRVING
 IS INVITED ID SUPPER
Amid Brilliant Scene of splendor Crowned Heads Witness With Pleasure Clever Portrayal of
 Characters by Americans.

Sandringham, November 14-The the- atrical performance given tonight at Sandringham House was the crowning event of the German emperors visit to England. Workrnen have been busy dur ing the past few days with the work of converting the handsome ball room into a bijou theatre and special scenery has been painted for this occasion. Sir Henry Irving and his company made record journey from Belfast. Ireland, where they played Thursday night. and to which city they will return tonight for Saturdays performance. Arthur Bourchier, with his company made Journey under similar conditions from London. A number of royal carriages were sent to meet the actors at the railway station where they arrived at 6 o'clock and drove imme- diately to Sandringham House. A hur- ried rehearsallwas at once proceeded with and everything worked so smoothly that the players had time to dine before the opening of the performance.
 Royal Party Arrives.
 The invited guests began assemble at 9:9O o'clock in the theatre which had accommodation for 250 persons In addi- ton to the house party, the clergy, the members of the country families and the coming of the king and queen, the Ger man emperor and the Prince of Wales, all wearing the insignia of various or ders to which they belong. and brilliant with jewels. The party included Princess Victoria, Prince and Princess Charles of Denmark the Marquis and the Marchio- ness of Lansdowne, the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry and Marquis and Marchioness of Ormonde.
 The stage was tastefu1ly decorated with banks of flowers, while above the cen ter of the prosecnium the erman eagle and the arms of the British royal family were prettily interwoven. The curtain rose at 10 o'clock on Conan Doyle's one act drama, "A Story of Waterloo" Sir Henry Irving, Lionelm Belmore, Benja- min Webster and Mabel Hackney sus- taining the principal parts. The scene within the theatre was one of the most brilliant and the members of the royal party displayed their appreciation of the acting in a very marked manner. At the end of this piece there was an interval of a quarter of an hour but none of the spectators left the theatre. Arthur
 
 B. Warner and Victor Brungeth then presented Leo Trevor's play, 'Docto or Johnson" the audience again applaud ing heartily.
 Irving Honored.
 The curtain was twice raised at the conclusion of the performance. King Ed ward then commanded Sir Henry Irving, MT and Mrs. Bourchier (Miss Violet Van Brugh) to take supper with the royal party. Sir Henry had time to change from his stage costume into evening dress but the King laughingly insisted that Bourchier should attend the supper still attired in his costume representing the corpulent Dr. Johnson. The monarchs were delighted at the manner in which everything had been carried out. King Edward said it was one on the finest performances that had ever been given at Sandringham house.
 The German Emperor had long con- versation with Boucher in the course of which he spoke of his great interest in the theatre and how he was impressed by this educational influence.