BERLIN HOAX

Evening Star, Issue 20137, 30 March 1929, Page 2

BERLIN HOAX

RIOTOUS SCENE AT A CONCERT RICH BRIDE EFRF. As (he result ot one ol the most novel and successful hoaxes in recent scars, the Berlin Philharmonic Hall was recently the scene ot something like a riot. The uproar silenced the lamous Philharmonic Orchestra, and caused an Austrian woman conductor, i'rau Lisa Mayer, to faint. In the stalls were about two hundred young “bloods,” bcautiinlly got up in evening dross and bcaulilully powdered, as fashion now' reciuircs Hie smart young Berliner to be. Towards lb,! end of the concert the floor was suddenly turned into a marriage market full of angry clients for the hand ot a wealthy widow'. Many of the beaux rose and booed and hissed, despite the indignant protests of others in the audience. In some parts ot the hall feeling was so strong that the disputants cams to blows, but at last all the occupants ot the stalls were on their feet, shouting and gesticulating. Fran Mayer tainted and the music stopped. The police anived, and some 200 men were taken to the police station. There it was learned ihat each of them had received a favourable reply to a letter sent in answer to the following advertisement in a Berlin daily paper:— Young Viennese, widow of great industrialist, independent, in a hiiancially secure position, desires comradeship" with a gentleman. Money unnecessary.” Each of those who replied received the following note written on perfumed pink paper:— “ I like your letter, and am not disinclined to make your acquaintance, f shall be in one of tbe front rows at I lie Philharmonic on Friday evening. ( and will give you the possibility of presenting yourself to me during the interval. 1 am tall, and will carry white roses.” No woman appeared with a bouquet of white roses, and thus the ado, many of the victims suspecting a publicity trick. Frau Mayer’s husband, who acts as her manager, admitted that lie. was the author of the hoax, and the money paid for the seats was refunded.