Evening journal., 1919-11-12
MAGNIFICENT maze
IS NRIRL OF 1919
Exquisite Solo Dances, Stu
pendouS Ensembles Char
acteriZe KirmeSS
SPECTACLE THRILLS
CROWDED THEATRE

Magnificent with the brilliantly col
ored costumes OF Imperial Rome. OF
Egypt and the Orient. Of Scotland. Ire
land. Italy. Bohemia. spain, and finally.
the kaleidoscope scenes Of a twentieth
century cabaret, the siupendOus spec
tacle Of The Merry Whirl OF 1919 held
the vast audience enihralled for a bliss
ful two hours and half at its opening
night at the Playhouse, last evening
Scene melted into scene with the swift
ness and smoOihness of a moving pic
ture film, as perfectly presented as if
hundreds Of dancers We're performing
the last Of a seasons engagement in
stead Of a first night Offering EXquis-
ite solo dances were followed by won
derful ensembles, given with a grace
and sponianeiiy that left no possible
criticism.
"The Merry Whirr is given under
The auspices Of the Junior Board Of the
Delaware Hospital. and the Junior
League Of Wilmington. for the beneft
OF the Delaware Hospital.
Since the beginning Of the war there
has not been such a gathering Of VIII
mington society as was observed las.
night. Those that were not on the
Playhouse Stage We're in the audience.
After their part was finished. the actors
sat in .he audience, their varied cos
humes giving O. carnival effect 10 the
whole auritorium and lobby. Governor
Townsend and Secretary OF state John
son occupied one Of ihr boxes.
Patrons at the performances each
night this week and Saturday matinee
are asked to be in their seats i'm good
TIME, as late c0mcrs block The aisles
TOT tle professions Of the lrst acl
which pass down the aisles and up the
IunWays. While The house is well
idhen' iher are still many choice
seats left for each performance. Is the
announcement Of the Kirmess com
mittee.
The perfection Of the performance. in
all three acts, brought many admitting
comments upon the splendid training
given by Miss Lila A. Stewart. combln-
ing excellence Of detail with a har-
moniOus whole. Miss stewart was abIv
assisted by directors Of specially dan
ces who will be named In connection
win those dances. To the hard and
conscientious work OF the many "Aier-
ry Whirl' committees, unstinied praise
must be given for the immense success
OF last nights performance The ex-
ecuiive committee Of the Kirmess are
Miss Margareita Miller, chairman: Mrs
Paul +. Wilson, vice-chairman: Miss
Laura C. AmoTy. secretary: Mrs. VIII
lard Springer, Jr.. treasurer: Miss Mar
ion Dunham, and Mrs. Irving Warner.
Two runways. from auditorium 10
stage, formed the dancers' pathway 10
the opening pageant of the Orient.
making obeisance ~ Imperial Rome
Each stately procession OF august per-
sonages Of history. with their attend
anls, was preceded by many children.
holding aloft flower garlands, like liv-
ing, dancing flowers in their delicately
cOlOred garments. No feature Of the
spectacle was more beautiful than the
charming, natural grace OF the wee
dancers.
In the opening scene. surrounded by
the eagle standards Of Rome. Colonel
George A. Elliott, in The purple mag
nillcance Of an Augustan emperor.
mounted the throne. followed by his
empress. majestically portrayed byl
Mrs. Frederick William Curtis. The
might Of Rome was shown in their at !
tendanis. There were Roman guards, |
senator's, malrOns. vestal virgins, an
well known names in Wilmington so
,iely. Dancing madens with garlands |
were assembled by Mrs G.. p. VI. Rum
ford and Mrs. A. ID. Warner Jr.: flower /
girls by Mrs. J. Ralph Baily and Mrs. |
Robert Pennington; dryads. by Miss /
Kate McClanertv who also assembled |
he victory maidens Mrs Philip j. Car |
penter was a Juno OF peerless beauty, |
and Mrs. ]. Chester Gibson, a stately /
Minerva. There was a wave Of ap- !
preciatlvc interest when Miss Mary /
scarborough the winner Of the Venus |
voting contest. appeared in that white
lad role. her wonderful auburn hair |
falling I'm a shlmmering cascade down |
her shoulders. She received cnlhusias- !
Tic applause.
Chief OF Police George Black was /
also applauded. The chief knows how /
10 wear a uniform as ii should be |
worn. whether the blue Of the force, !
or the gorgeous armor Of a victorious |
Roman general. The audience like |
wise approved Of six stalwart mem |
hers OF the local police force as Au |
GUSTAV soldiers.
Egypt, the first nation TO make its |
obeisance. was preceded by Egyptian |
girls i'm a strikingly effective smybOl |
dance assembled by Miss ElinOr Nande |
grift and Miss Virginia Kirkus. There 1
were Nubians. slaves Of the snake. vase |
carriers and finally Cleopatra, a hand |