The evening world., 1904-04-28

LSND')N April 10y ely fdTTcH, AL
old-time Gaiety Theatre favorite. n
for moro han a quarter of a century
the most popular Coincidence in Eng
land. died this morning Of a equity af-
lection OF the heart.
Few actresses on the English stage
ever attained the general popularity Of
Nelly Farren and, when forced to aban-
don her profession from i'll health. and
ruined by unlucky theatrical ventures,
a benent was rendered TO her in the
Drury Lane Theatre in March. 1898,
the British public opened its purse with
q prodigality unprecedented in the his
story of the drama.
Nelly Farren was In the FIRST Gaiety
Company tina visited the United States.
Upon returning to England she suf-
fered from partial paralysis and never
was able again to act. After years or
retirement she cssayed an adventure in
theatrical management with disastrous
Consequences AS a result Of her failure
she was forced in 1887 to sell her jewelry.
which long was the envy and admira-
ton of her theatrical rivals. The sale
brought her little more than 5000.
This only partially relieved her fnan-
clal distress and her friends determined
to come to her assistance. The result
was the most remarkable entertainment
ever conceived in the city of London.
All the leading actors, actresses and
theatrical managers c~o-operated in the
scheme a,d the Drury Lane Theatre
was seiecod for the performance.
Sale OF Seats Melted S25, 900.
Weeks before the day set for the n
eft all the choice seats were sold. net
tins SIS. 900. while subscriptions poured
In from many sources. George Ed
wardes contributed $1,000, the Roth
schilds 81, 600. the Duke of Beaufort 500,
Lord Roseberry 500, Lord Latham. the
Duke of Fife. Earl Cadogan and Lord
Farquahar each a similar amount.
Before midnight on the day proceed
ing the benefit a great crowd provided
with camp stools INC lunches collected
in front of the theatre awaiting the
opening of the sale of seats. This
monster benefit was an occasion OF such
public moment that all the evening
newspapers published bulletins abouI
the throngs at the theatre.
As early as $50 o'clock in the morn.
ing a crowd OF 1900 people besSeged tn,
doors OF Drury Lane Theatre awaiting
the opening at 1880 o'clock. The per.
Torrance began at 1929 amid a scene
of tremendous enthusiasm. When Mis-,
Farren appeared the great throng arose
and chesred her wildly for severa
minutes. Shs was SO overcome by tn,
greeting that she burst into tears
Prince of Wales Sponsor.
Among b actors n actresses who
assisted In the performance were: Sir
Henry Irving, Seymour Hicks, Euallne
T~errtss, Harry Nichols, George Alex
ander. Julia Nelson, Bcerbohm Tree.
John Hare, Charles Hawtry, Herbert
Warning, Louis Waller. Arthur Rob-
erts, Chevalter. who made his first ap.
'Enry 'Awkins, Lady Bancroft. Lydia
Thompson. Kate Santley, Charles
Wyndham. Ellen Terry. Mary Moore,
Mrs. Dion B~ousicault, Pal Arthur,
Fred Terry, Phyllis Broughbon. Sam
STERN, Gerald Du MauIter. Ethel
Barrymore and O dozen others.
The Prince of Wales allowed his name
80 be used as sponsor of the enterprise
THE street band was composed OF well
theatre great crowds lined the streets,
who cheered Miss Farren on her de
parture as heartily almost as they
cheered Queen Victoria upon the oc-
casion of her Jubilee.
The proceeds of the bene1t, moro thar
e30, 900, gave Miss FaTren a comfortable
Income for the rest Of her life.