The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-27
VAN SW|NDEREN
GOOD IN COMEDY
Netherlands Minister Makes
Hit as Actor.
OTHERS DO EQUALLY WELL
Amateur Plays Presented for Benefit of
Diet Kitchen-Society of Wash
ington Well Represented.
OTHERS DO EQUALLY WELL

Society people who are accustomed to
the discomforts and embarrasSments of
amateur acting were most agreeably dis
appointed and highly entertained at the
New Willard last evening, for the great
wonder in the minds of those present
now is whether NJ. Van Swinderen. the
Netherlands minister, is not a better
actor than diplomat, as his performance
last evening was a revelation and de-
light in its smoothness and cleverness.
Ali the other prominent people In the
casts of the two plays were equally
successful from an artistic standpoint.
The plays were for the benefit of the
diet Kitchen, one OF WashingtonS
pet social hobbies.
Van Swinderen Clever.
Nj. Van Swinderen took the leading
role in Cromon and FRANCE French's
comedy, FURNISHED Apartments that
OF M. Taupin, of Paris, which role he
filed in successfully presenting the play
in Rome before the Cueen, when char
ity was the obejct of the presentation
Mr.. Rubido-Zichy took the part of
Carata, a Mexican; Henry May, jr.,
that of an English tourist; Miss Katha-
rine Van Rensselaer, Berry, Nine. Tau
pin; Miss Wetmre, daughter of Senator
and Mrs. Wetmore, the part of the sis
ter of Caraba; Miss de SmirnoT, daugh-
ter of the Taupins, and Mile. des Portes
de la Fosse took the part of a bonnie.
In the short curtain raiser which pre-
ceded this play, "A Lesson in Acting,
Miss Wetmore and Mr.. May assumed
the two characters, and Mr.. Cresson
spoke from behind the scenery. While
the stage costuming was necessarily not
brilliant that of the spectators was, and
nne effect was given by the splendid
costumes worn by the society women
present.
The plays We're followed by a supper
in the adjoining ballroom when a num-
Der CT prominent hostesses entertained
parties. The actors occupied table in
the center OF the ballroom, while the
other tables were arranged in a circle
around It.
Girls Sell Programs.
The program girls, selected from the
younger bellies, under the leadership OF
Miss Townsend sold souvenir programs
at any price the purchasers were In
clined TO give. Associated with Miss
Townsend were Miss Elsie Cobb, Miss
Grace Bell, Miss May, Miss Elkins, Mis-:
Pauline Morton, and Miss Cobb.
Unusual brilliancy was lent the scene
In the ballroom by the toilettes of the
women present Baroness Giskra, wife
of the counselor OF the Austrian en-
bassy, wore a black net gown embroid
cred in jet over pink silk Baroness:
Mayor, wife of the Italian Ambassa
DOR, wore a gown of black with sequin:
of mother-of-pearl; Mime. Boutakoff. o.
the Russian embassy, wore gown o.
black lace, and diamond and turquoise
ornaments; Mrs Morton, pale blue satin
diamonds. and lace; Miss Morton,
pompadour silk with lace and bodic
and hair ornament of lilies of the val
ley; Miss Durand, daughter of the Brit
ish Ambassador, black; Mrs. Westing
house, white satin, diamonds; Mrs. Sam
uel Spencer, black lace and chiffon EN-
broidered in jet, diamonds and pearls
Miss Deering, cream lace princess, re
roses, Mrs Andrew Bradley, Jr., blac
chantilly lace over white red roses; Mrs
Oliver, black jet and lace; Miss Maria
Oliver. cream white lace; Miss Oliver
cream chiffon; Mrs. Herbert Wadswortl
black, and carried large bouquet c
white roses; Sonora Walker MARITIME;
black lace; Senorita Walker-Martine:
pink chiffon: Nine Welenkin, of III
Ridgely, cream lace, white chiffon, an
roses; Nine Hauge, black chiffon an
diamonds; Miss Tyler, white silk painte
in roses; Miss Morgan. cream lace owe
light blue. Mrs, Bulmer, black lace an
chiffon: Mrs. Oliver Cromwell, whit
hrocade with pink roses in garlands Q
the bodice: Miss Alice Miller blue sa
in: Miss Miller white lace over pa
blue; Mrs. Hunt Slater. pale pink an
white embroidered chiffon, diamonds.
The audience embraced about all
the fashionable people of Washington.
The supper following the play, Il
" Inch separate tickets were sold. WAS
the palm room. which was reserved fl
the evening. Here the scene was mo-
brilliant.