New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
PAVLOWA Anglers
BENEFIT AUDIENCE
Kisses Greet Cut of Her
Dance Numbers at
Metropolitan.
DISAPPROVAL AT
THE DANSANT
Crowd That Filled Lobby Ordered
Out While Waiting Vainly for
Russian Danseuse.

Benefit performances are usually az ub.
eventful occasions as any that occur IN
the theatrical world but yesterday after
f,oon's at the Metropolitan Opera House
was not. The performance was in aid
OF the Music School Settlement, and II
took the form OF a series OF dances by
Miss Anna Pavlowa and her company or
Russians followed by a Russian the dan
SAINT. The audience was huge one, and
financially the afternoon was as success
full as any benefit ever held in New York.
Miss Pavlowa never danced more eXquis-
itely, and her companions were worthy
coadjutors. This much however. was to
be expected. but the series of accompany
Ing events were not--and the benefit
proved itself one of the very few occa-
sions at which an audience in the Metro
politan has broken out into expressions
of open disapproval.
Mishap No. was al the beginning The
performance was scheduled to begin at
go o'clock, but the loss OF one of Miss
Pavlowa's trunks postponed the opening
until $40. The ballet La Hate de Cava-
lerie" was then performed, 10 general
satisfaction, but when, at the end. Theo-
dore Sitter, the musical director stepped
before the curtain and announced that,
owing TO the late beginning, the Oriental
Fantasy would be omitted, a storm OF
Kisses swept the house. This was mishap
No. 2.
Despite the audiences evident wish 10
hear the programme as originally sched-
uled, the stage performance continued
with the final group Of advertisements
with two extra numbers added.
Then began the the dansant, at which
it was supposed that Miss Pavlowa her
self would dance. The the was held in
the foyer, but the space proved alto
gether too small for the crowd that
surged in, and only three or four couples.
including Miss Plaskowieczka. OF the bal
let, took advantage OF the opportunity. II
was evident that the crowd was waiting
for Miss Pavlowa, who arrived shortly
before o'clock clad in Russian cos
tune. She was warmly spplauded, but
moment later Mr.. Stier announced that
Miss Pavlowa would not dance and that
owing 10 the lateness OF the hour ana
the evening performance OF "Tosta' the
hall would have 10 be cleared. THE
brought forth another storm OF Kisses.
and the crowd dispersed in none too gen
tie hUmor.
Mishap number four occurred behind
the scenes. and was not known 10 the
audience. IL was caused by a deputy
sheriff, who despite the protests OF the
opera house staff. forced his way upon
the stage and served Emil Dandre, Miss
Pavlowa's manager, with an order OF
arrest issued by the City Court for an
alleged recent assault upon process
server. The deputy sheriff at hrst seemed
insistent upon forcing Mr.. Dandre to
leave the opera mouse at once, but upon
further reflection he did not insist upon
the immediate production OF the 900 oall
demanded by the court. Mr.. Dandre, II
was understood would furnish the bail as
soon as a magistrate could be seen. The
incident caused rot little connection
during the progress Of the performance,
and matters We're finally Gained over by
TIE intervention of Alfred Seligsberg, at
torney for the Metropolitan Opera Com
DdnN.