The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-05
BENEFIT Jams OPERA HOUSE.
OTHER THEATRES RECEIVE THE
OVERFLOW CROWDS.
Thousands Who bought Tickets Couldn't
Get In and Went Elsewhere-Hsgest
Entertainment Of Its Kind Nets About
SIS 600 for the san Francisco IN

Entertainment Of Its Kind Nets About
SaB 900 for the san Francisco Fund.
sThe greatest ever" was the unanimous
verdict In regard to the benefit for the
San Francisco sufferers given In the Metro
politan Opera House yesterday afternoon
and evening by the theatre managers Of
Greater New York. Both in respect to the
length and character Of the bill presented
and the total sum realized, 1t broke all
records for enterprises Of q similar nature.
As for the attendance, never were so
many persons crowded into the Metro
politan, while almost as many again were
turned away TO be received in other theatres.
1t tool one hundred and fifty policemen
under the command Of Inspector Schmitt-
berger TO preserve order during the day.
In anticipation Of a big crowd the theatrical
managers had asked for u large squad Of
men, As the show was scheduled 10 begin
at II o'clock IL was thought that the presence
of the police much earlier than an hour before
the opening Of the performance would not
be necessary. But when the employees
of the opera house arrived about 8 O'Clock
they found a crowd Of Il hundred or more
people In front OF the doors. An hour later
when Inspector Schmittberger arrived
the crowd had swelled to over 1000 n
extended around the corner into Fortieth
street. At 1890 o'clock. when the doors
were thrown open, the tail end OF the pro-
cession, four abreast, reached into Seventh
avenue
Despite It's size the crowd was extremely
orderly. Good nature was prevalent on.
every hand, ever late In the afternoon.
-l.a A., ,,,l,,a ,ar g,ro,l 10 raf,,aa nd
mittance to those who had already pur-
chased tickets, A little while later big
signs were posted In front OF the opera
house notifying ticketholders that their
tickets would be recognized at any OF the
following theatres New York, New AM
sterdam. Liberty, Belasco, Criterion. Wal
lacks, Days. Harlem Opera House, Ham
merstein's, Knickerbocker, Colonial, Ameri-
can, Broadway, Alhambra, London and
Star, as we'll as several Of the Brooklyn
p~layhouses,
Ii il estimated that fully 5000 persons
took advantage Of this offer when they had
given up hope Of getting into the Metro
politan, and the theatres along the Rialto
were crowded.
Even In the theatres standing room soon
was at q premium, and IT was no uncommon
sight to see groups rushing about from
one theatre to another, Some stuck II out
in front OF the Opera House in the expecta-
ton that the crowd would begin TO thin
out about 10 O'Clock. But this the crowd did
not do. When the curtain rang down on
the final number at about il:l5 there was
not a seat unoccupied.,
The managers did make a brave attempt
late in the afternoon to accommodate the
announced thatdid mhe intermission the
house would be cleared, Charles Burnham,
manager Of Wallack's and president Of the
Theatrical Managers Association, explained
TO the big audience that fully 5000 persons
were outside waiting 10 get In and requested
have a chance at the seats. Most Of the
audience complied, but four or Ave hundred,
mostly women, refused to bud &c,
Max Hirsch Of the Metropolitan box
office, was busy until late trying to figure
Up to I O'Clock, when the managers de-
cided TO cut short the sale Of tickets, over
o had been taken in and II was esti-
mated that this amount would be swelled
to over sSl 900 by the receipts from the sale
Of box seats. More h 5000 was taken
in from the sale Of programmes, flowers,
ice cream INC lunches.
The performance went of without a hitch,
So closely was the time schedule followed
that Lillian Russell, who was scheduled 10
appear at eo2 p. NJ, was only one minute
@ Isss i red %Stsis so nsn iSRpe snd e ali @t bSSe sSeSSsy
that were demanded had been permitted
the benefit performance would still be on.
But the managers decided early and wisely
to absolutelysforbid any REQ Abs or repetitions,
With the exception of Mile. Josephine
Jacoby, who was kept away by ~illness,
all the artists put In an appearance. After
David Bispham had given his we'll known
rendition OF Danny Deever," Mr.. Burn
ham took the stage and said; We have
here with us tonight "A lady who but a short
time ago left us In the possession OF a ward
robe which might wen be the envy Of any
woman. She has ii no longer; and when
| asked her to appear here tonight she
said she would gladly do so. but abe had
nothing to wear, not even an evening gown
i told her to come, even il she had a mack
intosh. SO, II make apologies on her
behalf for her absence Of proper raiment,
l think you will be glad to hear Mmo, Emma
Eames.'
Some friend had evidently coma TO the