The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-27

The audience which greeted Mrs. Beech
cr's presentation of that stirring drama of
Percy Mackaye's Jeanne d'Arc"-was
worthy of this remarkable womau's art.
and this is saying much
The great ballroom of the Country club
yesterday afternoon was filled. The audi
ence suggested the first appearance Of
Mrs Beecher ON that same platform sew
eral years ago when they had come by
invitations; when she was introduced by
The Music Study club, itself popular or
garization. and in company with MIS-
Truman Aldrich, a pianist of recognized
genius and consequent popularity. She
had already at that time appeared be-
fore a number of her hearers in drawing
room recital, and they knew the wonder
ful beauty of her interpretations, but
they came as guests and filed the audi
torium to its utmost capacity.
Yesterday the conditions were slightly
charged She was the sole attraction;
there was no incidental music, there We're
10 other entertainers to share honors or
to distract from the wonder of this thrill
ing story of France. She and the beauti-
ful cause sha represented, social settle
ment work in Birmingham, drew an ir-
lnense audience of the most discrimnat-
ing women of the city and never has she
so charmed her listeners. Her own per-
scrality-gentle, graceful, eSquisite-was
attuned to the story of pathos and mar
tyrdom which she related. The grace of
her the ineffable sadness of her express
sion and the sympathy of her voice as she
depicted the scenes from the drama sug-
gested the late Madame Modjeska's pres
entation of Sehiller's story of the unhap-
= Hsxx inn taf,l,x4 1oA
cream and sffeathed with lace. recalled
the period described and the white gown
worn by Nine. Modjeska in one of her
scenes. But her throat was bare, and on
her head was a small lace cap. AS she
spoke, the tones of her voice carried far
End beyond any outer noise, for it is Won
derfuly modulated deep and strong and
resonant, and | think but few will re-
member the occasional cry of a motor
siren beneath the club porte cochere, for
She had cast a spell.
Mrs. C. B. Spencer introduced Mrs.
Beecher, speaking but briefly, yet telling
definitely and surely of her value to the
community. And after short story Of
the history of France leading TO the
causes which produced such character
as Jeanne dare, the historical story
merged into the drama, having prepared
even the two small girls, one with pink
and the other with blue bow perched
on hef boDDed half, 10 KNOW the mean
ing of the lines she interpreted.
There have been few afternoons at the
club which equalled this in the character
of entertainment offered; few programmes
in Birmingham on so elevated a plane as
The one which Mrs. Beecher so admirably
furnished.
Among the vast number of interested
women noted in her audience were Mrs.
Algernon Smith, Mrs. Frank Rushton. Mrs.
W. M. Jordan, Mrs Bert Linn of Pitts
burg. Mrs Edgar Kiby, Mrs. Campbell
Maben. Mrs A. NJ. Taylor. Mrs. w. Win
pns Freeman, Mrs James Bowron, Mrs.
Chiles Clifton Farrell, Mrs. w. Z. Nc
Adory, Mrs. j. ID. Moore, Miss Margaret
Moore, Miss Luetta Gregg, Mrs. Henry
Fowlkes, Mrs. Sterling Foster, Mrs
Krakowizer, Mrs. John b. Weakley, Mrs
Charlotte Mann of New York, and scores
of others