Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-08
INCREASE
ORPHANAGF FUND
NOTABLE ARTISTS APPEAR AT
BELASc0 BENEFIT
VOICE OF MRS. MARY REED DE-
LIGHTS AUDIENCE
First Appearance of Young Actress in
"Miss Hobbs" Creates Favorable
lmpression--Entre Program
Excellent

At the benefit performance given yes
terday afternoon at the Belasco the
ater to increase the Los Angeles Or
phanage building fund the spirit of
charity pervaded every one from the
handsomely gowned women in the
stage boxes to the lowliest scene shlI-
ter The women and the few cour-
ageous men in the audience gave freely
the price of admission, and the men
behind the scenery donated their time
and work just as freely. Members of
the Musicians union consented to play
in the orchestra gratuitously. The ar
lists whose performances made up the
program had all volunteered to do their
part to further the cause of charity.
The boxes, parquet and, in fact, the
entire house was filled with an audience
of handsomely costumed women, the
| lovely tints of their gowns vying with
| the enormous bouquets of flowers
! which each one carried to shower on
her favorite actress or singer.
In the foyer were daintily attired
young women offering their wares,
| flowers or programs, and to them spec
tators paid their willing toll of dimes
and dollars as they entered the theater.
The program was well selected and
of wide variety. The various artists
each received warm welcome and re-
peated encores
Three Stars Appear
There were many excellent numbers,
| but three of them were of exceeding
interest, the singing of Mrs Mary Reed,
| the first appearance at the Belasco of
Miss Florence Reed, the Belascos new
| leading woman, and the first appear
ance on the Belasco stage of Dick
| Ferris.
These three personages shine in such
separate spheres that their appearance
upon the same program was really
triumphant achievement.
Mrs. Reeds singing fully realized the
high expectations which had been
aroused in the minds of her audience.
She has a wide range, and the tones
| of her upper register are not only ac-
curate and strong, but exceedingly
sweet. She possesses a delightful stage
presence with abundant charm of man
ner Her first appearance was made with
piano accompaniment and was highly
| enjoyable. Her second number, the So
prano aria from LA Boheme,' with full
| orchestral accompaniment, was a bril-
liant effort, and it was with great
pleasure that the members of the audi
ence yesterday heard the announcement
of her future appearance in song re-
cital
Dick Ferris, whose curtain speeches
have already won him fame half across
the continent, appeared to represent
Mr.. Blackwood in a speech of thanks,
and delivered it with his usual graceful
manner There are rumors afloat to
the effect that Dick Ferris lis prepar-
ing to give up the theatrical business,
| in which he has been so successful for
several years. If this is true, it is to
be regretted, for, while 1t may be pos
sible to find other lightning Conduc-
tors" and other "Armands," it will be
Iaf1 on nF-
will appear who can make such felici-
tous speeches as those which Mr.. Fer
ris seems always to have ready for i'm
mediate delivery.
"Mlss Hobbs" Bows to House
An expectant audience sat to the very
close of the program to see Miss Flor
ence Reed, whose advent on the Be
Iasco stage awaits the close of the run
of the Dollar Mark" The members
of the Belasco company offered the
fourth act of Miss Hobbs" the play
in which Miss Reed is to make her
appearance when the final curtain falls
on the present Belasco success.
Miss Reed achieved an instant sue
cess, and at her first entrance was fair
ly stormed with Yolley of bouquets
which carried their welcoming greet
ing to her from every portion of the
house. The one scene, very short one,
too, was not a fair introduction of the
artist but she caught the humor Of
her audience at once and held 1t to the
close of the act, when she was recalled
again and again. Miss. Reed wore. a
beautiful dress in this act, and moved
about the stage with an air of distinc-
tion which was as convincing as 1t was
admirable.
Her appearance was all too brief to
allow of serious Judgment, but If her
ha fokan q
augury then her success, is assured.
Other members of the Belasco COM
many who appeared in this act were
Lewis S. Stone. Charles Ruggles, Rich
ard Vivian, Louis Morrison, Harry
oaks, Miss Adele Harrington, Miss
reatrice Moves, Miss Ida Lewis and
Charles Buck.
Encores Numerous
Miss Adele Harrington and Miss Fay
Baynter, both of the Belasco, offered
vocal numbers which were heartily en-
1oyed, and Mrs. Matilee Loeb-Evans
played a fantasie for cornet, receiving
liberal APPLAUSE
Mrs Albert Carlos Jones sang Gou-
mods save Maria in beautiful voice
and delighted her audience by respond
ing to several encores.
The Murr~v anu Mack company from
the Grand opera house gave an act
from "a Night on Broadway" The two
stars and Miss Bessie Tannehill Max
Bloom and Lille Sutherland each ap-
peared in solos and ensemble numbers,
assisted by the ponies and chorus.
The performance was given under
the patronage of the following: Mes
danes Allan c. Balch. II. A. Andrews
John Bicknell, Ernest A. Bryant, Guy
Barham, Sam T. Glover, Harry Chand-
Ter. John S. Chapman, Kaspare Cohn
A. N. Davidson, J. w. Dawson, p. L.
Doheny, w. r. Dunn, T. u, Glboon,
n II. TarI. Albert Carlos Jones, William
G. Kerckhoff Modini-Wood, Albert
Moore Edward Neiser. r.. M. Neustadt,
Joseph D. Radford, Willoughby Rod
man, Alfred Solano and IN. Van Nuys