Full text of "The history of the Boston theatre, 1854-1901"

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Given By
Mrs* Frederick R. Wood

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THE HISTORY OF
THE BOSTON THEATRE

u
H

THE HISTORY

OF THE

BOSTON THEATRE

1854-1901

EUGENE TOMPKINS

MANAGER FROM 1878 TO 1901

COMPILED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

QUINCY KILBY

TREASURER FROM 1886 TO 1901

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY

CI)c Ktbcrertie \)vcs& Cambrttiffe

1908

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PREFACE

The history of the Boston Theatre might easily be made to
furnish material sufficient to fill an encyclopedia. To
brine; it into a single volume of this size has necessitated leavino-
out all criticism and practically all biography. I have tried to
make the book as interesting as possible in its limited space
and to prevent its becoming a mere catalogue.

The compilation of this work had its beginning in a collec-
tion of photographs made by my father, before and during the
time that he was connected with the Boston Theatre. Inherit-
ing: from him a taste for such matters, I continued to collect
portraits of the many celebrities who appeared there. Having
been from boyhood a regular attendant at its performances
and being thoroughly familiar with its happenings even before
my business connection therewith, I felt the interest in its his-
tory which has found expression in this book. More fortunate
than many chroniclers, I have had at hand the bound volumes
of its programmes as well as the statement-books which show
the receipts at all performances. To these I could add my own
recollections of twenty-three years a- manager and my memo-
ries of many talks with my father about the fortunes of the
magnificent old playhouse.

I have also been fortunate in enlisting the services of Mr.
Quincy Kilby, who has entered heart and soul into the work of
collecting lacking photographs and of verifying all data.

I have tried to be accurate in all matters pertaining to dates
and the spelling of names. Actors in the course of years some-
times change the spelling of their names or drop a superfluous

PREFACE

name or initial, and actresses often marry. When such changes
have appeared I have followed the wording of the programmes
at the time of performance. When receipts are quoted they are
absolutely correct, as I have been most particular in their
verification.

In collecting the portraits I have found that everybody who
could help has been willing and even anxious to do so. For
the loan of rare photographs and for valuable assistance in
research, I am indebted to Frank Carlos Griffith, Napier
Lothian, John Bouve Clapp, Robert Gould Shaw, E. R. By ram,
Douglas Taylor of New York, Frank Dumont of Philadel-
phia, Joseph H. Wheeler, William H. Lee, Charles E. Red-
mond, Walter Baker, Frank E. Chase, Dexter Smith, Wilbor
A. Shea, Edwin Warner, Lycurgus Pitman, John M. Ward,
Fred L. Crocker, George B. Young, Mrs. Rachel France, W.
H. Bartholomew, H. H. Kelt, Miss H. A. Bullard, Fred H.
Nazro, Mrs. J. M. Barnard, Denison R. Slade, Mrs. Emma
Snelling, Frank H. Robie, Mrs. C. E. Lauriat, George E.
Owen, W. V. Alexander of the "Ladies' Home Journal," and
Miss Agnes C. Doyle, Miss Barbara Duncan, and Edwin F.
Rice of the Boston Public Library.

The Notes and Queries Department of the Boston " Tran-
script" has also rendered valuable service in the discovery of
rare pictures and the identification of actors.

I wish to express here my gratitude to all who have so cheer-
fully given their time and loaned their treasures to make this
work a success. I hope that the book itself may give as much
pleasure to its readers as its making has given me.

Eugene Tompkins.

92 State Street, Boston, Mass.

CONTENTS

I. Introduction 1

II. The First Night .... 14

III. The Season of 1854-55 ... 24

IV. The Season of 1855-56 ... 35
V. The Season of 1856-57 ... 46

VI. The Season of 1857-58 ... 60

VII. The Season of 1858-59 ... 68

VIII. The Season of 1859-60 ... 78

IX. The Season of 1860-61 ... 84

X. The Season of 1861-62 ... 88

XI. The Season of 1862-63 ... 96

XII. The Season of 1863-64 ... 103

XIII. The Season of 1864-65 . . .111

XIV. The Season of 1865-66 . . . 118
XV. The Season of 1866-67 . . . 127

XVI. The Season of 1867 68 ... 135

XVII. The Season of 1868-69 . . .148

XVIII. The Season of 1869-70 ... 158

XIX. The Season of 1870-71 . . .166

XX. The Season of 1871-72 ... 175

XXI. The Season of 1872-73 . . .189

XXII. The Season of 1873-74 ... 200

XXIII. The Season of 1874-75 . . .211

XXIV, The Season of 1875-76 218

vii

CONTENTS

XXV. The Season of 1876-77 . . .233

XXVI. The Season of 1877-78 ... 244

XXVII. The Season of 1878-79 . . 254

XXVIII. The Season of 1879-80 ... 266

XXIX. The Season of 1880-81 . . .275

XXX. The Season of 1881-82 ... 283

XXXI. The Season of 1882-83 . . .294

XXXII. The Season of 1883-84 ... 304

XXXIII. The Season of 1884-85 . . .313

XXXIV. The Season of 1885-86 ... 322

XXXV. The Season of 1886-87 . . .336

XXXVI. The Season of 1887-88 ... 348

XXXVII. The Season of 1888-89 . . .357

XXXVIII. The Season of 1889-90 ... 366

XXXIX. The Season of 1890-91 . . .376

XL. The Season of 1891 92 ... 387

XLI. The Season of 1892-93 . . .396

XLII. The Season of 1893-94 . . . 407

XLIII. The Season of 1894-95 . . .418

XLIV. The Season of 1895-96 . . . 429

XLV. The Season of 1896-97 . . .444

XLVI. The Season of 1897 98 ... 453

XLVII. The Season of 1898-99 . . . 462

XLVIII. The Season of 1899-1900 . . 471

XLIX. The Season of 1900-01 . . .477

Index 485

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Adams, Charles R., 247.

Adams, Edwin, 69.

Adams, Maude, 369.

Aimee, Marie, 205.

Akerstrdm, Ullie, 356.

Albani, Mme., 299.

Aldrich, Louis, 119, 123, 129.

Allen, C. Leslie, 190, 249.

Allen, D. R., 129.

Allen, Viola, 309.

Alexis, Grand Duke, 175.

Alvarez, Albert, 466.

Alvary, Max, 435.

Amodio, Signor, 31.

Anderson, Mary, 246.

Anderson, Prof., the Wizard of the North,

82.
Arnott, R. (Russell Clarke), 129.
Arthur, Julia, 468.
Arthur, President Chester A., 294.
Atkinson, Charles F., 221.
Auditorium, Frontispiece.
Aujae, Mons., 153.

Backus, Charley, 20v

Backus, E. Y., 254.

Balcony Foyer, 14.

Balcony Vestibule, 11.

Balfe, Louise, 377, 380.

Ballet Group from "Michael Strogoff," 287.

Bandmann, Daniel E., 104, 354.

Banks, Maude, 358.

Bamabee, H. C, 263, 352.

Barrett, Lawrence, as The Man o' Airlic,

211.
Barrett, Wilson, 367.
Barron, Charles, 93.
Barrow, Julia Bennett, 17.
Barry, Billy, 350.
Barry, Thomas, 4.
Barry, Mrs. Thomas, 192, 229, 289, 307.

Barrymore, Maurice, 213.
Bartholomew, W. H., 192.
Bascombe, H. L., 119, 129.
Bateman, Kate, 81.
Beebe, Mary, 262, 263.
Beecher, Henry Ward, 144.
Behrens, Conrad, 435.
Bellew, Kyrle, 440.
Bellini, Signor, 112.
Bennett, James, 24.
Bernhardt, Sarah, 281, 482.
Berthald, Barron, 435.
Biddies, Clara, 18.
Bidwell, Dollie, 161.
Bimboni, Oreste, 445.
Bingham, T, 129.
Birch, Billy, 209.
Bishop, Madame Anna, 98.
Blake, William Rufus, 97.
Blinding Scene in "Michael Strogoff," 291.
Blind Tom, 467.
Blondin. 32.
Bloodgood, Harry, 236.
Bonaplata-Bau, Mine., 445.
Bonfanti, Marie, 278.
Booth, Edwin, 51, 61, 72, 129.
Booth, J. B., 127, 129.
Bosisio, Signora, 121.

Boston Theatre Company, 1865-1866, 119.
Boston Theatre Company, 1866-1867, 129.
Boston Theatre draped in memory of Pre-
sident Garfield, 285.
Boston Theatre Exterior, 5.
Boucicault, Dion, 215.
Bowers, Mrs. D. P., 100. 154.
Braham, Leonora, 272.
Brandt, Marianne, 319.
Brignoli, Signor, 48.
Brodie, Steve, 419.
Brougham, John, 132.
Browne, J. H., 119, 129.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Browne, Mrs. J. H., 119, 129.

Browne, Master Johnny, 119.

Buckley, E. J., 249.

Buffalo Bill, 189.

Bull, Ole, 234.

Buntline, Ned, 189.

Burgess, Neil, 391.

Burke, Father Tom, 191.

Burns, Thomas H., 119.

Burroughs, W. F., 129.

Burt, Laura, 404.

Burton, William E., 72.

Butler, Benjamin F., 241.

Byron, Edwin, the Boy Tragedian, 221.

Byron, Oliver Doud, 185.

Calve, Emma, 474.

Campanari, Giuseppe, 369.

Campbell, Bartley, 267.

Campbell, S. C, 161.

Canfield, Eugene, 370.

( lapoul, Victor, 177.

Carmencita, 392.

Carreno, Teresa, 228

CarroJI, R. M., 209.

Gary, Annie Louise, 205.

Castle, William, 164.

Cayvan, Georgia E., 263.

Chandelier, 13.

Chanfrau, F. S., 162, 190.

Chanfrau, Mrs. F. S., 195.

Chapin, Rev. E. H., 136.

Clair, George, 119.

Clarke, Annie, 340.

Clarke, George H., 111.

Clarke, Rev. James Freeman, 146.

Clarke, John S., 129, 131.

Clarke, Russell, 119, 129.

Claxton, Kate, 229.

Cline, Maggie, 438.

Cluer, Susie. 129.

Coes, George H., 197.

Collier, Willie, 386.

Collings, W. H., 119.

Collins, P. A., 349.

Collyer, Dan, 377.

Collyer, Rev. Robert, 136.

Comer, Thomas, 95.

Conway, Mrs. F. B., 154.

Coquelin, Constant, 482.

Corbett, James J., 388, 451.

Corden, Juliet, 355.

Corinne, 303.

Cormani, Lucia, 307.

Cornalba, Elena, 278.

Couldock, C. W., 85, 334.

Coulter, Frazer, 304, 307.

Cowper, John C, 123.

Crane, William H., 207, 339, 441.

Campanini, Italo, 204.

Craven, John T., 284, 303.

Creswick, William, 176.

Cubas, Isabella, 89.

Cudworth, Rev. Warren H., 136.

Curtain, 483.

Custis, George William, 169.

Curtis, M. B., 324.

Cushman, Charlotte, 66, 85, 191.

Cushman, Major Pauline, 109.

Dado, Siguor, 445.

Dailey, Peter, 415.

Daly, H. F., 24.

Daly, Julia, 88.

Damrosch German Opera Company in

1896, 435.
Damrosch, Leopold, 300.
Damrosch, Walter, 423.
Daniels, Frank, 329.
Darclee, Mine. Hariclee, 445.
Dauvray, Helene, 178.
Davenport, E. L., 28, 29.
Davenport, Fanny, 120 (two portraits), 361.
Davies, H. Rees, 249.
Davies, Phoebe, 404.
Davis, Jessie Bartlett, 453.
Davitt, Michael, 341.
De Angelis, Jefferson, 457.
Dean, Julia, 24, 25.
De' Anna, Signor, 445.
De Belleville, Frederic, 451.
De Belocca, Anna, 278.
Delehanty, W. H., 177.
Del Puente, Signor. 203.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

De Lussan, Zelie, 328.
De Reszke, Edouard, 473.
De Reszke, Jean, 465.
Diagram, 1st page, 6.
Diagram, 4th page, 7.
Dickinson, Anna, 160.
Didiee, Mine., 5-2.
Dillon, John, 382.
Di Marchi, Signor, 445.
Di Mnrska, lima. 260.
Dixey, Henry E., 266.
Dockstader, Lew, 359.
Donaldson, W. A., 35.
Doughertv, Hughev, 156.
Downing, Robert, 345.
Drew, John, 273.
Drew, Mrs. John, 424, 441.
Dumas, Alexandre, 93.
Dumont, Frank, 219.
Dunn, Arthur, 400.
Durell, Lillian, 402.
Durot, Signor, 445.
Duse, Eleonora, 439.

Eames, Emma, 472.
Eddinger, Lawrence, 377.
Eddinger, Wallie, 377, 381.
Edouin, Willie, 252.
Elliott, Maxine, 448.
Ellsworth, Colonel E. E., 83.
Emerson, Billy, 214.
Emery, Sam, 97.
Emmett, J. K., 338.
Emmons, Lizzie, 71.
Evans, Charles E., 409.
"Exiles, The," in 1877, 249.

Fabbri, Mme., 81.
Fechter, Charles, 162, 171.
Field, Kate, 343.
Fisher, Charles, 176.
Fisk, James, Jr., 152.
Fiske, John, 397.
Fitzsimmons, Robert, 416.
Florence, W. J., 103.
Florence, Mrs. W. J., 103.
Fohstrom, Alma, 326.

Formes, Carl, 70.

Forrest, Edwin, 26, 47 (five portraits).

Forrester, N. C, 35.

Forsberg, S. H., 119, 129.

Foster, Eugene, 478.

Fougere, Eugenie, 421.

Fox, C. K., 160.

Fox, Delia, 457.

Fox, George L., 158.

Foy, Edwin, 406.

Foyer. 3.

Frail, Horace, 119.

France, Rosa, 290, 307.

France, Shirley H., 119.

Francis, Ida, 287.

Frothingham, George, 263, 265.

Fuller, Loie, 393.

Fuller the Skater, 153.

Fursch-madi, Mme., 303.

Gadski, Johanna, 435.

Gannett, Rev. E. S., 145.

Gazzaniga, Signorina, 49.

Gericke, William, 350.

Germon, Effie, 179.

Gerster, Etelka, 260.

Getz, Charles S., 203.

Gilbert, John, 16, 24.

Gilmore. P. S., 109.

Gilroy, Mamie, 400.

Golden, Richard, 401.

Gomersal, William, 119.

Gomersal, Mrs. William, 119.

Gottschalk, 101.

Goodwin, N. C, Jr., 214, 441, 352.

Gould, Howard, 292.

Grand Staircase Leading to First Balcony, 1.

Grant, President U. S., 179.

Gray, Ada, 334.

Grisi, Mme., 29.

Grismer, Joseph R, 404.

Gruening, Wilhelm, 435.

Hackett. J. H., 30.

Hale, Rev. Edward Everett, 137.

Hall, Pauline, 413.

Hallen, Fred, 395.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Hanlon, Alfred, 90.

Han Ion Brothers, 90.

Hanlon, George, 90.

Hanlon, William, 90.

Hardenbergh, Frank, 129.

Harlan, Otis, 372.

Harrigan and Hart, 198.

Harrigan, Edward, 198.

Harris, Charles S., 478.

Harris, William, 268.

Harrison, William, 30.

Harrold, Jeannie, 377.

Hart, Joseph, 395.

Hart, Tony, 198.

Hastreiter, Helene, 332.

Hauk, Minnie, 132, 260.

Hawk, Harry, 377, 379.

Held, Anna, 447.

Hengler, Thomas, 177.

Hensler, Elise, 40 (two portraits).

Hepworth, Rev. George H, 115.

Herbert, Victor, 426.

Hermann, Adelaide, 208, 469.

Hermann, Alexander, 90, 208.

Hermann, Charles, 90.

Hermanns, Joseph, 107.

Hermanns, The Two, 90.

Heme, James A., 338, 422, 462.

Heron, Matilda, 51.

Hinckley, Isabella, 86.

"H. M. S. Pinafore," in 1879, 263.

Hoey, William, 409.

Holland, E. M., 441.

Holland, Joseph, 441.

Holt, Elise, 150.

Hopper, DeWolf, 459.

Horn, Eph, 124.

Howard, T. C, 119.

Howe, J. B., 24.

Hoyt, Charles H, 383.

Huguet, Mme., 445.

Hunter, Mrs. T. M., 249.

Hnntington, Agnes, 325.

Ince, John E., 288, 289.
Ingersoll, Robert G., 410.
Innes, the band leader, 438.

Interior of the Boston Theatre in 1896, 431.
Irma, Mile., 152.
Irving, Henry, 308.
Irwin, May, 365.

Jackson, Peter, 414.

"Jalma," in 1883, 307.

James, Louis, 249 (two portraits), 255 (two

portraits).
Janauschek, Madame, 149.
Januschowsky, Georgina von, 362.
Jarrett, Henry C, 115.
Jefferson, Joseph, 91, 156, 396, 441.
Jefferson, Thomas, 464.
Jefferson, William W., 464.
Jewett, Sara, 242.
Joannes. Count, 107.
Johannsen, Mme., 52.
Jones, Carrie, 202.
Jones, Mrs. W. G., 377, 381.
Jose, R. J., 360.
Juch, Emma, 342.
Judic, Mme., 323.

Kammerlee, Gus, 263.
Karl, Tom, 263, 353.
Kean, Charles, 123.
Kean, Mrs. Charles, 123.
Keene, Laura, 114.
Keene, Thomas W., 266.
Kellogg, Clara Louise, 87.
Kendal, W. H., 390.
Kendal, Mrs. W. H, 390.
Kidder, Kathryn, 437.
Kilby, Quincy, 336.
Kilpatrick, Gen. Judson F., 169.
Kimball, Jennie, 119.
Kingdom Edith, 302, 307.
Kit and the Beats, 190.
Klafsky, Katharina, 435.
Koppitz, Charles, 119, 125.

Laborde, Mme., 70.
Ladies' Parlor, 2, 14.
La Grange, Mine., 48.
Lamb, Frank, 307.
Lambele, Aline, 142.

XI 1

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Lander, Mrs. Joan Davenport, 235.

Langtry, Mrs., 340.

Leclercq, Carlotta, 163.

Le Moyne, W. J., 100.

Leman, Walter M., 129.

Lennon, Nestor, 377.

Leotard the gymnast, 149.

Leslie, E. M., 129.

Leslie, Mrs. E. M., 129.

Leviek, Gustavus, 227.

Levy, Jules, 385.

Lewis, Catherine, 268.

Lewis, Horace, 254.

Lewis, James, 150.

Lewis, Walter, 377.

Liberati, Signor, 421.

Liliuokalani, Queen, 346.

Lingard, Dickie, 267.

Little Nell, the California Diamond, 178.

Livermore, Mary A., 301.

Locke, D. R., 168.

Locke, George E. (Yankee), 173.

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 279.

Losee, Frank, 377, 380.

Lothian, Napier, 135.

Lotta, 148 (two portraits), 165.

Lucca, Pauline, 192.

Lucette, Madeline. 272.

Ludwig, William, 351.

"Macbeth" Programme, 151.
MacDonald, W. H.. 353.
Mace, Jem, 172.
Mack, Andrew, 449.
Maffitt, James S., 193.
Maguinnis, D. J., 190, 289, 303.
Majiltons, 184.
Majilton, Charles, 184.
Majilton, Frank, 184.
Majilton, Marie, 184.
Manola, Marion, 412.
Mansfield, Richard, 374.
Mapleson, J. H, 259, 445.
Maretzek, Max, 46.
Mario, Signor, 34.
Markham, Pauline, 166.
Marlowe, Julia, 404, 441.

Marshall, Mrs. Margaret, 119.

Marshall, Wyzeman, 98.

Marteau, Henri, 401.

Mason, John B., 412.

Materna, Amalia, 319, 413.

Mather, Margaret, 310, 455.

Mathews, Charles, 62 (two portraits).

Maurel, Victor, 203.

May, Edna, 454.

Mayo, Frank, 118, 119, 204.

Mazzolini, Signor, 106.

McCarthy, Justin, 341.

McCarty, Lawrence, 322.

McCullough, Isabelle, 263.

MeCullough, John, 92, 226.

Melba, Nellie, 456.

Menken, Adah Isaacs, 94.

Menken and Dumas, 93.

M'Glenen, H. A., 124.

Milbank, George, 272.

Miles, General Nelson A., 426.

Miller, Henry. 414.

Miron, J. C, 372.

Mitchell, Charles, 324.

Mitchell, Maggie, 105.

Modjeska, Helena, 433.

Montgomery, Walter, 170.

Moretti, Eleanor, 377.

Morlacchi Ballet, 159.

Morris, Billy. 73.

Morris, Clara, 242.

Morris, Lon, 73.

Muldoon, William, 327.

Murdoch, H. S., 216.

Murdoch, James E., 112, 295.

Murphy, Cornelius D., 463.

Murphy. Joseph, 238.

Murphy, Tim, 372.

Murray, Rev. W. H. H, 344.

Nasby, Petroleum V., 168.
Neilson, Adelaide, 194.
Neuendorf, Ad, 362.
Nevada, Emma, 317.
Neville, Henry, 377, 379.
Newcomb, Bobby, 214.
Nielsen, Alice, 463.

Xlll

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Nilsson, Christine, 179, 182.
Nini Patte en l'Air and Pupil, 399.
Noah, Rachel, 113, 119, 129, 289, 305.
Nordica, Mine., 326.
Nye, Bill, 367.

Oates, Alice, 207.

O'Brien, William, 347.

Oesterle, Kate, 377.

O'Gorman, Edith, the Escaped Nun, 171.

Olcott, Chauncey, 475.

O'Neil, Nance, 458.

O'Neill, James, 447.

O'Reilly, John Boyle, 364.

O'Rell, Max (Paul Blouet), 371.

Orton, Josephine, 116.

Osgood, Rev. Samuel, 137.

Owens, John E., 125.

Paderewski, Ignace, 432.

Palmer, Minnie, 320.

Palmieri, Signora, 224.

Pappenheim, Eugenie, 239.

Paquerette, Mile., 408.

Parepa Rosa, 133.

Parks, George R., 283.

Parsloe, Charles T., 118.

Parsons, Thomas W., 20.

Pastor, Tony, 231.

Patti, Adelina, 79.

Patti, Carlotta, 89.

Paur, Emil, 434.

Peakes, Henry, 119.

Peakes, James G., 119.

Pell, Johnny, 75.

Perry, Agnes, 128, 129.

Phillips, Adelaide, 35, 39, 263.

Piccolomini, Signora, 77.

Pixley, Annie, 276.

Planyon. Pol, 473.

Pomeroy, Louise, 236.

Pond, Fred E., 418.

Pool", Nellie, 287.

Popovici, Demeter, 435.

Potter, Mrs. James Brown, 432.

Powers, Miss, 307.

Presbrey. Eugene W., 244.

Prescott. Jennie, 287.
Prescott, W. P., 118.
Price, Mark, 233, 249.
Primrose and West, 297.
Prince of Wales in 1860, 84.
Proctor, F. F., 270.
Proctor, Joseph, 42, 125.
Programme of Opening Night, 15.
Putnam, Rev. Dr., 146.
Putnam, Katie, 219.
Pyne, Louisa, 28.
Pyne, Susan, 43.

Rachel, 37.

Raft Scene in "Michael Strogoff," 289.

Randaccio, Signor, 445.

Ravel, Antoine, 32.

Ravel, Gabriel, 32, 64.

Ravel, Jerome, 32.

Ravels, 32.

Ravelli, Signor, 299.

Raymond, John T., 235.

Razzle Dazzle Trio, 372.

Redmond, John, 472.

Redmund, William, 283, 289, 307.

Reed, Charlie, 386.

Rehan, Ada, 273.

Reignolds, Kate, 139.

Remenyi the violinist, 389.

Reynolds, J. P., 119, 129.

Rhea, Hortense, 323.

Rice, Fannie, 441.

Richards, George, 370.

Richings, Caroline, 123, 140.

Richings, Peter, 123.

Riddle, George, 213.

Rignold, George, 224.

Ristori, Adelaide, 131.

"Rivals, The," in 1896, 441.

Roberts, J. B., 133.

Robertson, Agnes, 50.

Robson and Crane, 326.

Robson, Stuart, 168.

Rogers, Gus, 467.

Rogers, Max, 467.

Roosevelt, Blanche, 279.

Roosevelt, Theodore, 240.

XIV

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Rosa, Carl, 133.

Rose, Belle, 377.

Rose, Harry, 377.

Roselle, Amy, 182.

Roze-Mapleson. Marie, 251, 258.

Rudersdorf, Erminie, 201.

Rummel, Franz, 261.

Russell, Lillian, 403 (two portraits), 457.

Russell, Sol Smith, 459.

Salmoiraghi, Signorina, 399.

Salvini, Alexander, 310, 394.

Salvini, Tommaso, 202.

Sandow, Eugen, 425.

Santley, Kate, 181.

Sauret, Emile, 234.

Sealchi, Sofia, 318, 445.

Seallan, William, 119.

Scene from " The Devil's Bridge," 35.

Scene from "The Tempest," 41.

Scene from "The Wife," 24.

Scheff, Fritzi, 481.

Schiller, Mine. Methua, 106.

Schilling, Mina, 435.

Schoolcraft, Luke, 196.

Scott, J. R., 119, 129.

Scott-Siddons, Mrs., 161.

Scotti, A., 481.

Seabrooke, Thomas Q., 466.

Seating Plan, in 1854, 8, 9.

Seating Plan in 1870, 167.

Seguin, Zelda, 141.

SeidI, Anton, 363.

Sehvyn, John H., 178.

Sembrich, Marcella, 309

Setchell, Dan, 67, 76.

Sheridan and Mack, 172.

Shewell, Limington R., 63, 200, 225, 249.

Simpson, Dan, 110.

Skinner, Otis, 275.

Smiley, Emma, 202.

Smith, Mark, 88.

Smith, Si, 110.

Smoking Room, 14.

Sorrentino, Eugenio, 454.

Sothern, E. A., 182, 230 (in three characters).

Sothern, E. H., 436.

"Soudan, The," in 1890, 377.
Sousa, John Philip, 420.
Spear, G. G. (Old Spear), 173.
Springer, S. E., 296, 307, 377.
Sternberg, Constantine, 280.
Stetson, Evaline, 287.
Stewart, Mrs. E. E, 129.
St. Felix Infant Ballet, 184.
Stigelli, Signor, 86.
St. Maur, W. H., 129.
Stone, Marie, 328.
Strakosch, Max, 71.
Studley, S. L., 262.
Suck, August, 19 (two portraits).
Sullivan, Barry, 220.
Sullivan, John L., 327.
Sullivan, T. D., 419.
Sully, Dan, 329.

Taber, Robert, 441.
Tamberlik, Signor, 201.
Tanner, Cora, 344.
Taylor, Emma, 63.
Taylor, James W., 479.
Tempest, Marie, 405.
Ternina, Milka, 435, 465.
Terry, Ellen, 308.
Texas Jack, 189.
Thatcher, George, 261.
Thayer, Benjamin W., 218.
Thomas, Augustus, 384.
Thomas, Theodore, 332.
Thompson, Denman, 270, 387.
Thompson, Lydia, 166, 245.
Thorne, Charles R., Jr., 128, 129.
Thome, Emily, 101.
Thorne, Fred, 227.
Thorne, Grace, 296, 303, 307.
Thursby, Emma, 216.
Titiens, Teresa, 228.
Tompkins, Eugene, 337.
Tompkins, Orlando, 315.
Tornaghi, Jole, 408.
Torriani, Signora, 206.
Tostee, Mile., 142.
Train, George Francis, 373.
Trowbridge, J. C, 74.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Tuttle, Zoe, 256.

Ughetti, Signor, 445.
Ulmar, Geraldine, 280.
Urso, Camilla, 104, 288.

Vandenhoff, Charles H., 212.
Vandenhoff, George, 38.
Vandenhoff, Mrs. George, 38.
Vanoni, Marie, 400.
Van Zandt, Jennie, 116.
Varian, Mme., 92.
Vestvali, Felicita, 45.
Viale, Rosina, 307.
Vokes family, 187.
Vokes, Fawdon, 187.
Vokes, Fred, 187.
Vokes, Harry, 411.
Vokes, Jessie, 187.
Vokes, Rosina, 187.
Vokes, Victoria, 187.

Wainwright, Marie, 249, 251.
Wallack, James W., 91.
Wallack, Lester, 190.
Walsh, Blanche, 448.
Ward and Vokes 411.
Ward, Genevieve, 261.
Ward, John ("Hap"), 411.
Ward, John M., 313.
Warfield, David, 458.
Warner, Neil, 168.
Warren, William 113.

Washington Street Entrance, 14.
Watterson, Henry, 434.
Weathersby, Eliza, 181.
Western, Lucille, 126.
Wheatleigh, Charles, 178.
Wheelock, Joseph, 225.
White Fawn Ballet, 143.
Whitney, Myron W., 263.
Wilhelmj the violinist, 258.
Wilkins, Marie, 226.
Williams, Barney, 36.
Williams, Mrs. Barney, 36.
Williams, Gus, 373.
Williamson, J. C, 253.
Wilson, Francis, 441.
Wilson, George W., 212.
Wilson, Katie, 307.
Winston, Jeannie, 281.
Wood, Mrs. John, 33, 184.
Woodhull, Fred, 129.
Woodruff, Master Harry, 275.
Wylie, D. B., 119.

Yale, Charles H., 221.

Yohe, May, 360.

"Young America," Master John Haslam,

96.
Ysaye the violinist, 422.

Zanfretta, Marietta, 65.
Zerrahn, Carl, 99.
Zoe, Marie, the Cuban Sylph, 108.
Zoyara, Ella, 80.

THE HISTORY OF
THE BOSTON THEATRE

Grand Staircase leading to First Balcony

THE HISTORY OF THE BOSTON

THEATRE

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The first mention in literature of the present Boston The-
atre is found in "A Record of the Boston Stage," by
William W. Clapp, Jr., published in 18.53, in which the author
quotes from a letter written to him by Thomas Barry, say-
ing, "Yon will have, sooner or later, a first-class theatre in
Boston, and if properly built and properly conducted, it will
prove a boon to the public and a fortune to the manager."

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Mr. Clapp adds : " These are the prophetic words of a veteran
actor and manager. May we live to see them historical
facts in some future 'Record of the Stage' in Boston." Mr.

Ladies' Parlor

Barry's prediction was soon fulfilled in part, although it was
many years before the theatre was a source of any consider-
able profit to its managers.

The Boston Theatre was opened in 1854, and was so far in

THE BOSTON THEATRE

advance of the times that even to-day no theatre in the world
has been able to surpass it in all important particulars. In
beauty of line, in acoustic properties, in ventilation, in ease

Thomas Barry

and economy of heating, in generosity of entrances and lobbies,
in comfort and celerity of exit, in size and capabilities of stage,
it has been a model for all the large theatres that have since
been constructed in this countrv. No other theatre in the world

H [

o
o

-in*

THE BOSTON THEATRE

TiNTSI-EATIBE

has presented so many notabilities to the public, from tra-
gedians and grand opera singers to negro minstrels and vari-
ety performers, from
orators and clergymen
to ballet dancers and
athletes. Scarcely any
world-famous artist in
the last fifty years has
missed making his or
her appearance at the
Boston Theatre, and
myriads of words of
praise have fallen from
their lips for its beauty,
its comfort, and its un-
paralleled acoustics.

The old Boston The-
atre on Federal Street
was destroyed in 1852,
and the Tremont The-
atre having gone into

HtJj \\\t RniSjrafr- tUipthitious

Manager. 77iomas Barry .

Assistant Manager ....John/ JB. WrigM.
2reasurtr WHua?v Bison>

Box Beeper. JZJKTenno.

I}/bli.s'h*>d by

A.WILLIAMS & CO

JOO WafTtfJigton/ Street.

BOSTON.

ks.

the possession of a re- First Page of Diagram

ligious society, it was

felt that an adequate place of amusement was needed in
the city. Consequently, on April 28. 1852, a meeting which
had been called by Joseph Leonard, the auctioneer, was held
at the Revere House to consider the building of a new theatre.
The meeting was called to order by Joseph N. Howe. E.G.
Bates was chosen chairman and B. F. Stevens secretary.
Addresses were made by Mayor Benjamin Seaver, Gardner

INTRODUCTION

JUJLES AND REGULATIONS.

1 B3" Office Ifoiwrs^

7/ie OtTicfi, for securing seats to lAe/tojees an*/
Ba/conv is open, from Jl 'jl.M. throughout t/m day

and renin,/ .

The jParauctte O/fiie i.t open* from II A.M. to
2 P.M. from .? to 5 HM. and from, 6 HMto die
dose of die performances .

Seats- rati- be secured three days in* adca/ur-

V;FRICES V

drivate .Boxes S.OOBnlfrty Setts 100 Jioxet J find
<?."' Ders JOcts. Ziuyuette SOct>: dnu>hiduat/*> 2Scts.

Courteous ushers u-itn badges always in atte/i
dance to conduct visitors to rfieir seats.

A fidl wit/ be struck 5 minutes prcfiouj- to die
fairing of the curtain/

GetiiZemen/ are expected to he uwivered- while
in the Auditorium/.

Brewer, and other prominent citizens, and a committee, con-
sisting of John E. Bates, Gardner Brewer, Otis Rich, and

John E. Thayer, was
appointed to select a
site and solicit sub-
scriptions. Among
those who signed the
petition for a charter
were David Sears, Oli-
ver Ditson, and Gen-
eral John S. Tyler.

On May 15, 1852, the
Boston Theatre Com-
pany was incorporated,
with a capital stock of
$200,000, which was
afterwards increased to
$250,000, the price of
the shares being placed
at $1000 each. The
Melodeon estate on
Fourth Page of Diagram Washington Street was

bought, together with
the rear land, which had been owned by the Boston Gaslight
Company, the total cost reaching $163,348.80.

A prize of $500 was offered for the best design of a theatre,
and was won by H. Noury, the building being constructed
from his design by the Boston architects, E. C. and J. E.
Cabot and Jonathan Preston, the latter being appointed
supervisor. The building covers 26,149 feet of land and has

fbrreu fiook-r of die flav or .Pantomime and ipera

Libretti can. always he procured at the ox Offices

or at the Bookstore of

=fl (iQffMisJithpion. St.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

BOSTON THEATRE

a present seating capacity of 3140. Comparatively few struc-
tural changes have been made in the theatre since it was built,
the greatest being in 1888, when ten feet were cut from the
front of the stage, thus bringing the audience so much nearer
the players. In 1890 the great cut-glass chandelier was taken
down and its place was filled by eight smaller electric clusters,
thus removing all dan-
ger of accident from
the fall of the whole or
a part of the massive
structure, a danger far
more apparent than
real, yet still within
the bounds of possi-
bility. This chande-
lier was of immense
size and weight, and
was composed of
thousands of cut-glass
prisms. When lighted,
it had the appearance
of a great glowing
jewel, and was the ad-
miration and delight
of generations of the-

--^'J ' PAB.Q

atre-goers

Seating Plan ls.VJ.
Second Page of Diagram

A strange
comment on the un-
certainty of fashion is
furnished by the fact that when this chandelier, which had
cost thousands of dollars, was taken down, nobody could be

INTRODUCTION

found to purchase it, or even to remove it for the value of the
material of which it was composed. It was dismantled and
stored above the dome of the theatre, where it now lies,
neglected and forgotten, within a few feet of the scene of its
long-time glory.

The construction of the dome was a work of genius in

engineering, as it was

BOSTON THEATRE

ZJ T~ a serious problem to

carry so large an ex-
panse of ceiling with-
out help from below.
It was here that wire
lathing was used for
the first time on re-
cord, as it was not

practicable to sustain
so great an area of
plastering with ordin-
ary wooden laths.

The paneled clock
over the proscenium
was unique in its nov-
elty, and is still the
only one of the kind in
this country, thouo-h
its counterpart maybe
seen at the Hoftheater
in Dresden, Saxony.
The staircase which leads from the Washington Street lobby
to the upper gallery is ingeniously contrived to be self-support-

''li;s- r cW $&*

Seating Flan 18,54
Third Page of Diagram

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ing and in no way dependent upon the walls beside it, but
springing free and clear from the basement below. Its integ-
rity is shown in the fact that in all its more than fifty years of
service it has borne its burden of millions of hurrying human
beings without a crack or strain of any kind. It is spiral in
form and measures nine feet in width, being constructed of
oak, which even now shows but few signs of wear from the
countless feet that have trodden its broad surfaces. The grand
staircase leading from the main lobby to the first balcony also
shows the excellence of its material, there being practically no
appearance of wear after its half-century of faithful service.

The ladies' room on the first floor, the smoking-room on the
second floor, and the spacious lobbies of the family circle and
gallery occupy in themselves an area greater than the entire
auditorium of many a smaller theatre. Although the seating
capacity of the house is so much larger than that of any other
in the city, it is a pleasing fact that the sign " Standing Room
Only" has been shown oftener in the Boston Theatre than in
any other local playhouse.

The auditorium is ninetv feet in diameter and is almost
circular in shape, flattening slightly towards the stage. The
distance from the curtain to the back of the auditorium is
eighty-four feet. The height of the dome is fifty-four feet. The
four private boxes on either side of the auditorium should be
considered principally as an architectural feature, as they were
intentionally kept in the background, that they might not
interfere with the view from the orchestra circle or balconies.

The stage backs on Mason Street, where are the stage-door
for the use of actors and working staff, and the great scene-
doors, which have height enough to admit the largest pieces of

o
o

THE BOSTON THEATRE

scenery and sufficient width to permit the passage of tally-ho
coaches, fire-engines, or the bulkiest properties that may be
needed. The proscenium opening is forty-eight feet in width
by forty-one in height. There is a sub-cellar beneath the stage
with a depth of about thirty feet, which allows the sinking of
the highest flats and wings. The stage itself is irregular in
shape, being much deeper on the side toward the south. Its
capabilities are known the world over, and it has been since its
first construction a standard for commodiousness and mechan-
ical perfection.

In addition to the actors, singers, and performers in all other
branches of the amusement profession who have been seen here,
an army of supernumeraries has trodden its boards, thousands
of whom have gained name and fame in divers fields of useful-
ness. Comparatively few are the students of Harvard College,
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many kindred
institutions, who have not appeared at least once before a
Boston Theatre audience as one of the villagers, soldiery, or
mob in the great operatic, spectacular, and melodramatic pro-
ductions for which the theatre has lon<x been famous. A large
proportion of the prominent citizens of nearby Massachusetts
cities has also been seen there serving as members of reception
committees, seated behind some famous orator or statesman,
as he addressed his audience on an absorbing topic of the day.
The little stage-door on Mason Street could conjure up a pro-
cession of ghostly visitors of other days, unequaled by the
shadows from any other such portal in the world. Well might
W. E. Henley's lines be inscribed above it:

The curtain falls, the play is played;
The beggar packs beside the beau;

INTRODUCTION

The monarch troops and troops the maid ;
The thunder huddles with the snow.
Where are the revelers high and low ?
The clashing swords? The lover's call!"
The dancers gleaming row on row?
Into the night go one and all.

The Great Chandelier

Washington Street Entrance
Ladies' Parlor

Balcony Foyer
Smokiug-Room

CHAPTER II

THE FIRST NIGHT

Thomas Barry took a trip to Europe in the early part of
18.54 in the interest of the Boston Theatre. While there
he wrote the following letters to J. B. Wright. These letters
are now in the possession of Robert Gould Shaw of this city,
who has kindly loaned them for reproduction in this book.

43 St. T nes's Place, St. James's Street,
^ondon. May 19, 1854.

My dear Wright, - - 1 returned from Paris last night,
having been absent nine days. Prior ' my departure I engaged
Mr. Wood for the first low comedy t.nd his wife for the cham-
bermaids. They are both young and clever, great favorites,
and considered equal to any artists on the English stage.
When I told Webster of the engagement he expressed his

THE FIRST NIGHT

Boston tlmtxi.

surprise at their going to America,
and said that he had intended offer-
ing them terms for the Adelphi.

Finding the price here asked for
theatrical dresses fifty per cent more
than I had expected, I determined
to make the wardrobe up in Amer-
ica and asked Brooke to spare me
Howell as our costumer. He con-
sented, and Howell is engaged for
that business and likewise to act
and assist on the stage as may be
required. Johnson and Howell must
work together amicably.

In Paris I was offered the ward-
robe belonging to the Strasburg
Theatre at a very low price, and
purchased it. Many of the costumes
are of silk velvet, scarcely worn, and
made by the great costumer of Paris,
Nounon. I likewise bought a fine
lot of stage jewelry, foil stones, chain
armor, etc. I found a theatrical
library in London of >ound and
marked books which I will send to
Boston.

Prior to closing this let ;r I will
drive to my agent's, and if he has
any news to communicate, I will
give you in a P. S.

H W [>.Ui-,
C Leoi.
J Jolunoo

- Mono*) Duocior
**di or Orchettra
rnncipal Amu

a W I r..l. ..
F rumiflj -

Tip. Iii OIBi-i- - ,l. be opened for 1 1), **1c of Ticket* Iruo) I i -' u-i from 3 io :.. tach i*r
BaJcODJ Bol**, |1 DO Prqo-w >lJ Pc(nnf Cudt. JO i*

P rival. Do i -I. 6 00 Aapbiik**tn, to ota.

Boia*. Firtl ud Second Tier, M ou I

N D - A Corp* of Ubor, under U
Ladies in* 1 CemkjEto to Lheir Scat*.

tiot OuSte* ud '' ind L r.irnn. . . if, I W aiding! .., Sire
Entrance 347. A Pnviie Entrance for lb *,-oomnod*i

TkIcI hi 4*1 cum. for e.ihcr Ibe P*m,uciK. Pare

Sccood Tien of Bote*, ill be opened from Mnvio Sirrei

i. oJenco of Mi- A, M-jiii--., b J] euaduot

- r .. l. 0*ee and v , ..r
i of lliow pcrwru **liu pu(\:ha*
itf Circle, Bal on) . iii J [" u *i t^t
erf night.

The Moni^ti n>p*ii(.iii)r Mnounco* ibn ihia

MAGNIFICENT NEW THEATRE

MB&I EraWL rf SPTiSBIl 3, 3654,

Wub a Strong ud TulMird CorD|iany, conjpoxid ol some of the njosi

-<->.' b^. ma** an iin;iiiir

Of America A! i J Lurupc-
T\- Orcbe*U* will be full **d *tj" *" I and on tipea** Bill be turn] Id pUciag *L I. a iff

liiciu... i.li opon i lie Stage ""ill dJ- li' , ul *upcrtor tvallt^f ol l*:>u UliuiuA, wnriLf ^
the pairooag* of* Metropolitan Audience.

I. lb earn ...:'. I be* n.,1 Seifc* EX1SENT ASMSTSat AmeruaOAod Eim p*U
i,i,i,rv,. .U appear in I.h-.tm ud I o*i i'i. Inmi nod CULIU OfUi, Gaajro
P. in:, and SrtCliCLt

The CompviT Bill tuiuui of

IU. JAMES BENNETT,

Ma BIDDLES,

ttj.0 JOHNSON,

PAUNCEFORT.

COMER.

FORRESTER.

JOHN GILBERT.

DONALDSON.

HaRCOURT,

JOHN WOOD.

DAVENPORT.

GOULDS0X

H F niiT

CO'"' ' .

6LLWIN.

S D JOHNSON.

BOWEL U

W JOBNSON.

lister.

and

FISKE,

FRENCH.

MORRIS.

HOLMXS.

Mjy |. 11. tn

Mi** E- TAYLOR.

Mi** i m in.:

Ma*. DIXON,

BARRETT.

HUDSON KIRBY.

FISKE,

E BARRETT.

BIDDLES.

RORINO.

JOHN GILBERT,

M.-- CLARA BIDDLES.

E CURRAN.li.Jts.

W. K SMITH.

WALTERS.

Him ADELAIDE BIPDLR8.

HARRIS,

TV I .'.:..-i*t 'Oi'oioi Anuu *i-J Mr. bin".* lit" ln engi^ud m the ifHiuo u.J

dommeiii ol ibe Tllalr^

Ki< *" ". Unn ' r*i,. u , I'i. '.(, I i A l I Cabot . ibe Dcor%iing and Oro*jnait*l

IV J bj ll.'...,..!. K^,v I !., . '. Co- . '...,..,. i .. ...... ... b; I I,. i- ft

BroUttrv NY.Gw !'.[-* Su*o> Pipe*. ! Appsn'o.. ' . .' .1 W*Jor<t> L Co . CbAn-
-n.. f. .. i Gu I'i-..-". br H & ^i*!- * .-I. w F SbA*. ud S- A Suuod & C& . Tb*

CwptU, brfnf* *nd lirlund Lh CurtAin, by BoJIaaI A Pnoce And A Sir "an A Co- N Y ,

id. "'**> Furonute. t>7 . !! . : !'.., I . - BoJooof (.'Lai if, and Grud Suir-
...!. Blake A Ca i Cbun for Bole*. Fml *od Second Tier*, and ibe Furniture and
' ' the Sil...'n tod I'n . hi Buica. '; Dot. Haielton A Co, U* Plumbiog Bork.
L ao-1 Iftiufi, aod ibe PluLenii^ uid SiucTo *'* l-i Ii...u,.j H L&r. .1 , p iU-
nder Uie Sopcruitcodente of Prtilcwor W r m.n. of Cambndgt *

CplwUui/y for the
bj Rem. S.o.u\
War

On Monday Evoair :g, September 11, 1854,

GRAND OVERTURE, to Oulilaume TeU Roslnl

BY FULL ORCHESTRA

All"/ vtucb Lb*

Will be daU'ored bf Mi JOHN OILBERT. who,** lb* -c-luu,. >lu opca lb* union

cooulfllnf ibe Author** um*. 'vl anooaace ll ro Ibe pvblk.

i ' ' '- I

To b* fallowed t; 0w CUatlal Cotnedj. to ft Act*, of Um

8tt koihorj AbaolgiA,
e^i p-ir. AiatDlote,

WrlOA br (b* Ho*. RifLrd BrlMl** 8bArid*o.
Tb* Seeoerj Puoud 07 Meaan. Ubr *o<J BuiUnai.

fttr I

ft.. ' LlA . . Mi H.F IWj

1 from the N- Vor* Tbnfri, tu. Stm * pu I * km)

.VMt * Mr J-Al Wood)

(from ib* Tbbaito B07*), Mu.ii*o, bi* Bjo appeamice ta Amario.)

Ut4 K' '*

(from lb* Broadwij and Bartm* Theatra, Nr* Tort, bi* flru afpeAimoe* oere.)

r*.

Mr D>f

(ft-om tb* CbADal ekrert TbeMn. PbjujJ.JprJA )

M , H 1 .1

rjarrut, ' ......Mr OoaidMti

Kmad Boy, ...... ..... kl**ur t JoboAott

Lfdl* lAOjnkh, kL-*- Bathtw

, Ui<- Ma* Jail* Bemxai. of ibe Tbeatre RrrtJ. B*r-iwtBt, Loa4oo.)

J^j^ I . . . Mra-WttSroilk

(*rho om tindlj DsA*Tt*bea tb eh*sriar to iwnpii.. of tb* itwOM of* W7 *bo

bM bars opavd* of St vrli *i **a )

Mr*. MjiUoror. ... Mr*. John OiTbart

(fhwa the Broadway and BorUo'i Tbaatre , N*w Tork, b<r flrw ppe*raoce. 1

To amJido wub lb* MiuDcaJ Faraa, bj J B. PUocbe, to I A-i, called ; '

BwyMd, _ M>GW JobD*

<I>1B the 6outban and WenerD TbeAEna, hi* dm *ppe*roce LB Boauio,)

Del**.

PlX.Ll -i**'

Mr Boboej
1 from ib PoJaielptua TVatrtw.)

. . Mr*.JoboWarl

(Iram ibe Tbeaxra lUjtl, Maotbeeur, Ler Arw *ppt*r-u>ce lo Am. n .

Bo*endul. U E- Tarto*

(trooi Bitftoo'* Theater*. New Tork, her Sm appeanso* here}
U (be ooutm of [be Fare* tb* ' : - 1 - of ~>' "

- Ta Kmc *"D * i/oefco Art," P*t od Gennid*

/ aWl t*.il / *> i^e>," Certnide

r*e-'. /*<* *'**'"'* Gennnl*

/'*< Jfow*. K>*o**M.* Gerund*

- .Ify ran e.W rwl nwMMU **U-* 6*7*d *Od Cervtld*

wgbi forward *J *o r*ilj d*r ."*J

. thai Mr* HUDSON KIBBY tuiw
e Cunard Suamrr 1 n.. .'
Mr JAMES HENNETT, ibe Tr*ffed^o, b* armwJ *nd will nbonli appear
Mia* APt LAI DE falDOLES, *r.d 'rr*J b ssalar Armu art dailr e*pct.J

WANTED. SeitraJ respenable fouruj aieo foe AoAibane*. *pplj 10 M* Gould*on, S*a{
tJoor. Maaoc Sue*!. Utwftji ibe hoar* of Uaod *-

Programme of the Opening Night

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Theatricals are dull in Paris, and the glory of the French
stage appears to have set without the hope of a speedy rising.
There is no startling talent to be met with, the actresses

are plain, almost ugly, the ballet in-
different, and I see nothing superior
to our own stage except the scenery,
gorgeous costumes, and instrumental
music, which is perfection.

During the course of the coming
week I shall probably make some en-
gagements. Do not write to me after
the 3d of June, as I shall sail from
Liverpool on the 17th. I wish the day
was come, for I long to be home again.
I went on board the Africa a sick man,
and sickness has stuck to me more or
less ever since. The weather here is
dreadful, a cold rain, no sun, more like
a New York winter than anything else.
I crossed the English Channel in a gale of wind, the sea break-
ing over our little iron steamer and drenching the passengers
to the skin. Let others travel for pleasure. I have had enough
of it. My best thanks for your attention to business. Act
as for yourself; whatever you do is right. With best wishes,
believe me

Yours most truly,

Thomas Barry.

J. B. Wright, Esq.

P. S. If Miss Emma Taylor is pretty and clever, try to get
her at the $18 per week. I have not been able to see my agent,

John Gilbert

THE FIRST NIGHT

but I understand he has no news to communicate. Our ward-
robe will be first-rate, the most beautiful and complete in
America. The costumes making here are perfect.

43 St. James's Place, London,
July 11, 1854.

My dear Wright, I have taken my passage on the
Africa and shall sail on Saturday. I have engaged a whole
family for the sake of obtaining two pretty girls 19 and 17.
The eldest, who is to play our
first walking ladies, has led the
business in the country and is a
very good actress. The young-
est is to do anything. Both can
sing and are pretty. The father
was for years the first old man
at York and can play Irishmen,
etc. He is to make himself use-
ful in second old men and re-
spectable business. His wife
(his second) is quite a young
and handsome woman and plays
chambermaids. She is to make
herself useful. They have four
young children from 13 to 5, good for Duke of York, etc.

As the day for my departure approaches, business accumu-
lates and I have only time to write a few lines. My best
respects to Mrs. W., your mother, and all friends.

Very truly yours,

Thomas Barry.
J. B. Wright, Esq.

Julia Bennett Barrow

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The family referred to was the Biddies family, and the

young and pretty girl of 17 who was to do anything became

Mrs. Thomas Barry before very
long. Although not in the first
production, she was present on
that occasion and occupied a
seat in Mr. Barry's private box.
The opening night was a great
success, the auditorium being
crowded with a throng repre-
senting the brains, wealth, and
fashion of the city. It was an
occasion which it would be im-
possible to duplicate in these
later days, for no one building
could hold so large a proportion
Clara Biddies of all that is so absolutely the

best of the community. The

audience was kindly and enthusiastic, and the star of success

shone brightly over the new enterprise.

A copy of the opening programme is shown on page 15.

The box-office statement for that evening shows the following

receipts :

$19.00
171.00
554.50
180.00
173.50
211.25

$1309.25

3 Boxes

171 Balcony

at $1.00

109 Parquet

360 First Tier

317 Second Tier at

845 Gallery

THE FIRST NIGHT

Free tickets: Dr. Wyman, 6; Judges, 6; Dr. Parsons, 2;
Corporation, 12; Press, 24; others, 14: total, 64. There were
2915 people in the theatre, the gallery not being entirely filled.
The stockholders had the privilege of free admission to the
theatre at all times, excepting to the stage, dressing-rooms, and
offices, or, in lieu of admission, two seats reserved in any part
of the theatre, the price not to exceed one dollar each, and
the tickets to be called for before ten o'clock in the morning
on the day of performance.

The Mr. Comer who played Sir Lucius O "Trigger in "The
Rivals" was Thomas Comer, the musical director, who thus
set an example which was later followed by Napier Lothian,
who left the leader's desk to appear as principal support to
Maggie Mitchell and to Lotta on the occasion of his bene-
fits, and who once saved a performance by substituting at
short notice for Louis James as Captain Molyneux in **The
Shaughraun," in support of Dion Boucicault.

The one single individual who was connected with this per-
formance and with the
anniversary performance
fifty years later was Au-
gust Suck, who played
the violoncello in the or-
chestra. On his way to
rehearsal on the morning
of September 11, 18.54,
he stopped at a photo-
graph er's and had his
picture taken. That picture is herewith reproduced, together
with one showing him as he looked fifty years later.

August Suck
Sept. 11, 1854

August Suck
1904

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Miss Clara Biddies, who became the wife of Mr. Thomas

Barry, was in after-years the leading
lady of the theatre. Some time after
Mr. Barry's death she married William
Redmund, who was the leading man of
the theatre for the seasons of 1881-82,
1882-83, and 1883-84. She died in New
York in 1906 and was buried in the fam-
ily lot in Boston.

The Prize Address, which was recited
by John Gilbert, he thus having
the honor of speaking the first lines
from the Boston Theatre stage,
proved to have been written by
Thomas W. Parsons, a poet best known
by his translation of Dante's works.
The prize was one hundred dollars.

The address was in the form of an ode in ten-syllable metre,

and concluded as follows :

Thomas W. Parsons

" Such rites have been where now this temple stands,
The savage dramas of the Indian hands.
Near the blue lake and by the midnight fire,
See the red artist and the naked choir,
When the great sachem with his Pequot court.
After the fray, assembled at the sport.
See - 't was hut yesterday -- their dance describe
The hunt, the fray, the triumph of their tribe.
These too were artists, but their show is done:
Their last spectator was the setting sun.

THE FIRST NIGHT

"In Charles's days, when tragedy was mean.
Once the light muse went slipshod on the scene.
Was Charles alone at fault? Historian tell.
We love the sturdy Puritan too well.
What though the drama drooped beneath his ban,
Spite of the bigot, we revere the man.
What though he left polluted arts behind,
He brought his sword, his Bible and his mind.

"Something of that austerity be yours,
Since Folly loves what easy Taste endures.
Let our purged altar and its blameless priest
Honor the three-hilled city of the East,
That to the wise our theatre may seem
A nobler school, a loftier Academe.
And Shakespeare's mine, transplanted to the shore
Whose rocks are gold, whose sands are shining ore
(Or far as Freedom's onward march may draw
Arts, without arms, and without conquest, Law),
A sacred well, from whose o'erflowinjj brink
Each generation in its turn may drink.
So shall your children thank you, not alone
For wealth of empire grasping every zone,
But write these words on Memory's grateful page :

'Sons of the Pilgrims, you redeemed our sta^e.' "

Mr. Parsons's work was enthusiastically praised, one critic
going so far as to say that it was the best of all his poems.
An interesting contrast to the ode is found in a pamphlet
issued in the autumn of 18.54, bearing the imprint of John P.
Jewett & Company, who are best remembered as the original
publishers of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The title-page of the
pamphlet reads :

THE BOSTON THEATRE
THE LOVE OF PLEASURE.

DISCOURSE

OCCASIONED BY THE

OPENING OF A NEW THEATRE IN BOSTON.

DELIVERED IN MT. VERNON CHURCH,
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1854,

BY EDWARD N. KIRK.

Published in accordance with the wishes of the Mt. Vernon Association of

Young Men.

The preface tells that the sermon was repeated on the fol-
lowing Sunday by request, and with the pastor's consent was
issued to the public as a Sermon for the Times. The principal
part of the discourse is directed against pleasure in general, the
clergyman saying, "It is evil to seek pleasure in anything
rather than in God, more than in Him." Later he says, though
this part of the sermon was evidently delivered on the second
Sunday :

"One manager recently promised his audience, in opening
a new playhouse, that those beautiful walls should be polluted
by no vulgarity or profaneness ; and yet I find one of the plays
enacted that very evening sprinkled with many genteel oaths ;
besides one sufficiently vulgar. You would think from the prize
essay then read that we were going to have a Puritan theatre
here, to which Cotton Mather himself and Elder Brewster
might consistently go. But, alas ! what an entertainment to
begin our improving theatricals with, 'The Loan of a Lover,'
'The Rivals,' two silly, coarse exhibitions of that affection
which lies at the bottom of all domestic happiness, and of the

THE FIRST NIGHT

stability of the Commonwealth. No, Bostonians, this kind of
entertainment becomes neither you, your origin, your history,
your position, nor the age of the world. It is not amusement
we want, while life presents such serious duties, and destiny is
so near. The silly Athenians were amusing themselves while
demagogues were bartering their liberties, and Philip was forg-
ing their chains. Slavery alone is making serious work enough
for us. Annexation is hurrying our country to the edge of
a whirlpool. Is this a time for luxurious playhouses and silly
comedies ? Shame, sons of the Pilgrims, heirs of American
institutions, formers of American destiny ! It is not amuse-
ment we want; but something infinitely higher. I know
that respectable citizens sanction the movement. But I take
my stand on history, common sense, and Scripture; and
say, it is a serious evil to any community. It will fortify
sin, augment crime, multiply wretchedness, lower the tone of
morals, and hinder the progress of Christianity. You have
opened a splendid suite of rooms. But they will, in all prob-
ability, prove a splendid pitfall for some of our beloved young
men. Merchants have said, 'It is necessary to our trade; we
must draw traders to our city.' But what will they think if
they pay for that trade with the ruined characters of young
men in their employment ? If this is so important a part of
the commercial apparatus of our city, then our young mer-
chants must naturally patronize it. If the master esteems it so
highly, the apprentice must visit it. But the history of these
costly entertainments shows that, next to gambling-houses,
theatres have furnished the strongest temptations to dishonesty
in clerks."

H.F.Daly James Bennett John Gilbert Julia Dean J.B.Howe

Scene from " The Wife "

CHAPTER III

THE SEASON OF 1854-55

The stock company filled the first four weeks of the season,
their offerings being "The Rivals," "The Loan of a
Lover," "The Wonder," "Mr. and Mrs. Peter White," "The
Love Chase," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Swiss Cot-
tage," "John Bull," "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," "The
Poor Gentleman," "The Wandering Minstrel/' "Virginius,"
"The Two Greo-ories," "A Kiss in the Dark," and " Man
and Wife." J. B. Howe and Messrs. Biddies and Lyster made
their debut in "The Wonder," on Wednesday, September 13.
Adelaide Biddies and Messrs. Forrester and Morris were first
seen on Friday, the 15th, while James Bennett did not appear

THE SEASON OF 1854-55

until Monday, September 18, when he played Shyloek in
" The Merchant of Venice."

At first the theatre was open only on Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings, it being against
the law to give performances on Saturday evenings, on account
of the Puritan Sabbath's beginning at sundown on Saturday.
The first matinee was that of " Man and Wife " and " Mr. and
Mrs. Peter White" on October 7, after which they became
general, although when Edwin
-Forrest came that season he
played only at the evening per-
formances, the matinees being
given by the stock company.
There were four dramatic stars
this season, Julia Dean, Edwin
Forrest, James H. Hackett,
and E. L. Davenport, all of
whom chanced to be Ameri-
cans, while Mr. Davenport was
of Boston birth.

Julia Dean was the first star,
opening on October 9, and re-
maining; four weeks, in "The

Hunchback," "The Lady of Lyons," "The Wife," "The
Love Chase," "Love." "The Stranger:' "Evadne," "The
Honevmoon," 'The Gamester," 'Romeo and Juliet," "In-
gomar," and "The Follies of a Night." The company always
played an afterpiece in addition to the star's offering. Edwin
Forrest followed on November 6, opening in "Richelieu" and
remaining three weeks, during which time he was seen in

Julia Dean

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Damon and Pythias," "A New Way to Pay Old Debts,"
"Virginius," "King Lear," "Othello," "The Gladiator,"
"Metamora," "Jack Cade," and "Hamlet." During Mr.
Forrest's engagement John Gilbert was not in any of the
casts. The following letter, loaned by Robert Gould Shaw,
gives some light on the subject :

Edwin Forrest

Baltimore, December 17, 1854.

My dear Mr. Barry, - - From the expression which you
used to me while I had the pleasure to be with you last in
Boston, I inferred that you could not justify my conduct

towards Mr. Gilbert in refusing him per-
mission to act with me during my late
engagement there. When I briefly re-
plied to your expression I supposed I had
answered your objections. But thinking
the matter over since, I am not so cer-
tain that I had convinced you of my un-
deniable right to pursue the course I then
adopted, so I will now state more fully
my views of the question.

It is an axiom that a man in a state of
liberty may choose his own associates and
if he find one to be treacherous and un-
worthy he may discard him. Therefore
I discard Mr. Gilbert. Again, I never
believed in the hypocrisy which tells us
to love one's enemies. My religion is to
love the good and eschew the evil. Therefore I eschew Mr.
Gilbert. Physical cowardice may be forgiven, but I never

THE SEASON OF 1854-55

forgave a moral coward, and therefore I forgive not Mr.
Gilbert. He who insists on associating, professionally or
otherwise, with another known to despise him, is a wretch
unworthy the name of man. Consequently Mr. Gilbert is
unworthy the name of man.

But, sir, besides all this I have an undisputable right to
choose from the company such actors as I consider will render
me the most agreeable as well as the most efficient support.

In my rejection of Mr. Gilbert I took the earliest care not to
jeopardize any of the interests of your theatre, for I advised
you in ample time of my resolution, warning you of my inten-
tions and giving my reasons therefor, so that you might choose
between the services of Mr. Gilbert and my own. For while
I claim the right in these matters to choose for myself, I un-
hesitatingly concede the same right to another.

And now if after this expression of my views relative to this
thing, you still hold to the opinion that my conduct was un-
justifiable, you cannot with the slightest propriety ask me to
fulfil another engagement so long as Mr. Gilbert remains in
your company, for I pledge you my word as a man that he
shall never under any circumstances act with me again.

Yours truly,

Thos. Barry, Esq. EDWIN FORREST.

Mr. Forrest's hatred of Mr. Gilbert is supposed to have been
caused by the fact that when Catherine Sinclair Forrest
obtained the decision in her favor in the Forrest divorce suit,
Mr. Gilbert publicly said that he was glad of it.

The first opera company to visit the Boston Theatre was an
English Opera Company headed by Louisa Pyne, Miss Pyne,

THE BOSTON THEATRE

W. Harrison, Borrani, Whiting, Reeves, and Meyer, who

opened on November 27, 1854,
in Auber's Comic Opera,
"Crown Diamonds," then
heard for the first time in
Boston. This ran the entire
week and was followed by two
more weeks of 'Maritana,"
'La Sonnambula," 'The Bo-
hemian Girl," "Fra Diavolo,"
and 'The Beggar's Opera."
The regular company assisted
in the smaller parts in these
operas and also played a farce
T . each evening;.

Louisa 1 yne

The stock com
pany filled the fortnight beginning De-
cember 18 with "The Merry Wives of
Windsor" (John Gilbert as Falstaff),
"Hamlet" (James Bennett as Hamlet),
"The School for Scandal," "Money,"
"The Merchant of Venice" (James
Bennett as Shylock), and "Richard
III' (James Bennett as Richard and
Mrs. H. P. Grattan as Queen Eliza-
beth) . Farces were played every even-
ing" also.

E. L. Davenport began a starring
engagement on January 1, 18.55, his
plays being " Hamlet," " Othello," " St.

E. L. Davenport as Hamlet

THE SEASON OF 1854-55

Marc," 'The Stranger,"
"Black-Eyed Susan." In
the latter piece he sang "A
Yankee Ship and a Yankee
Crew," and in conjunction
with Adelaide Biddies
danced a double sailor's
hornpipe. For his benefit
on Friday, January 12, he
played "The Wife," "The
Morning Call," and
'Black- Eyed Susan."
The first Italian Opera
Company in the theatre
was that headed by Ma-
dame Grisi and Signor
Mario, who were supported

Richard III," "Brutus," and

E. L. Davenjwrt

Madame Grisi

by Signorina Donovani, Susimi, Ba-
diali, Lorini, and others. Arditi
was the conductor, Amati Dubreuil
the stage-manager, and Soto, Ciocca,
and G. W. Smith led the ballet. The
opera company sang only on Mon-
day, Wednesday, and Friday nights
and Saturday matinees, the stock
company filling the Tuesday and
Thursday evenings. 'I Puritani'
was the first Italian opera to be

THE BOSTON THEATRE

heard, being followed by " Luerezia Borgia," "La Favorita,"

"The Barber of Seville," "Norma," "Don Pasquale," "Don

Giovanni," and "Semiramide."

James H. Hackett played Falstaff in
"Henry IV" on January 30 and February
6, and the same character in "The Merry
Wives of Windsor" on February 1. He
was also seen in "The Kentuckians" and
"Monsieur Mallet" on February 8.

This opera company opened on January
15 and remained four weeks, being followed
on Monday, February 12, by a spectacular
production of "The Invisible Prince, or the
Island of Tranquil Delights," which ran,
with some interruptions, for five weeks.

J. II. Hackett as Falstaff During its run benefits were given to Mrs.

Barrow, Mrs. John Wood,

Mr. Bennett, Mr. Pauncefort,and Mr. Gilbert.

Mrs. Hudson Kirby of the stock company

made her first appearance in America on

Monday, March 5, 1855, in the part of Julia

in "The Hunchback," Mrs. Barrow being the

Helen.

Julia Dean, who had now become Mrs. Julia

Hayne, opened on March 19 in "The Wife,"

playing "The Lady of Lyons" on Tuesday,

while on Wednesday she produced "The

Priestess," a new five-act tragedy, written

for this theatre by a "Popular and Success-
ful American Author." This was played on

W. Harrison

THE SEASON OF 1854-55

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and all the next week.
The performance of Friday, March 23, was for the author's
benefit, but we are not told who the author was.

The stock company filled the next two weeks, begin-
ning April 2, and 'The Priestess" was revived on April
5 and 6, with Mrs. Hudson Kirby in the star role of
Norma.

Julia Hayne had a farewell benefit on Monday, April 9,
when she was seen in "The Jealous Wife'" and "The Honey-
moon."

A "Norma Travestie" was presented on April 11, 12, and
13, with John Gilbert as Norma.

The Pyiie and Harrison English Opera Company returned
on April 16 and remained three weeks,
presenting the operas of "Cinderella,"
"The Beggar's Opera," "Guy Manner-
ing," "La Sonnambula," "Fra Dia-
volo," "The Bohemian Girl," and
"Crown Diamonds."

The stock company filled the next two
weeks, beginning May 7. with "Rule a
Wife and Have a Wife," "The Bridal,"
"The Jealous Wife," "The Priestess,"
"Henry IV," "The Invisible Prince,"

"King John," "As You Like it," "Twelfth Night," "Wild
Oats," "The King and the Mimic," and various farces.

An Italian Opera Company opened on May 21 and stayed
three weeks, the principals being Steffenone, Vestvali, Ber-
tucca-Maretzek, Brignoli, Badiali, Coletti, Amodio, and
Rocco. The opening bill was " William Tell," for the first time

Amodio

THE BOSTON THEATRE

in Boston, the other operas being "Lucrezia Borgia," 'II

Trovatore," 'Lucia di
Lammermoor," and ' Ri-
goletto." On the afternoon
of May 9, "Masaniello"
was given, with the last
scene of 'Lucia," Mile.
Zoe making her first ap-
pearance in the city as the
dumb girl in the former
piece, while Harrison Mil-
lard also made his first
appearance here as Ed-
gardo, in the latter opera.
Niblo's Celebrated Ravel

Jerome, Antoine, and Gabriel Ravel

Troupe made their first appearance on
Tuesday, June 5, 18,55, the principals
being Francois Ravel, Blondin the tight-
rope walker, Paul Brilliant, Maugin,
Marzetti, Thilman, Axel, lone, Mine.
Marzetti, Victorine Franck, Miles. Thil-
man, Axel, Cherini, Gilbert, and Flora,
Julie, Anna, and Caroline Lehman. Their
opening bill was ''The Green Monster"
and "Soldier for Love." Appearing at
first on the off-nights of the opera, they
afterward filled all the time from June
l c 2 to July 5, their pantomimes including
'Le Diable Amoureux," in which Yrca
Mathias made her debut, "Robert Ma-

Blondin

THE SEASON OF 1854-55

?5 a

caire, 'Raoul, or the Magic Star," "Genevieve," 'M. De-
chalumeau," " Jeannette and Jeannot," "Godenski," 'La
Prima Donna," " Medina," k The Isle of Nymphs," and " The
Magic Flute."

A single performance of opera was given on Monday, June
18, 1855, when "Norma" and the finale to "Lucia" were sung
by Anna de la Grange, Signora Seidenburg, Raffaelle Mirati,
Morelli, Barattini, and Ma-
dame Morra. Arditi was the
conductor.

At the Washington Street
entrance of the theatre the
outside door was originally
constructed to slide up and
down in grooves at the sides.
Being very heavy, it was
counterweighted so that it
might be easily raised. On
the opening night it stuck
fast when about four feet
above the threshold, and
could be moved neither up

nor down, in consequence of which all early comers were
obliged to stoop low and enter in a most undignified position.
Before the evening was over, however, the trouble was cor-
rected and the later arrivals entered with their normal erect-
ness. On Thursday, January 11, 1855, this door being again
out of order, the counterweights were removed and the door
was supported by a piece of joist while the necessary repairs
were being made. A curious onlooker, despite an emphatic

Mrs. John Wood

THE BOSTON THEATRE

warning, leaned against the supporting timber and knocked
it down, causing the heavy door to fall upon him, killing him
instantly. Mr. Barry mentions this fact in the statement book
which he kept, which book is in the possession of Mrs. Whit-
comb, a daughter of Mr. Barry, who is still a resident of Bos-
ton. Mr. Barry also notes that on Monday, May 28, 1855,
there was a mass meeting at Faneuil Hall, ten thousand per-
sons being present. This
apparently had no ill effect
upon the business of the
theatre, as the opera com-
pany sang 'II Trovatore"
on that evening to the larg-
est house of its engagement,
the receipts being $1369.50.
On Wednesday, July 4,
1855, it was very hot, a cir-
cus was exhibiting in town,
and there were fireworks on
the Common, making a
combination which had a
disastrous effect on business,
the Ravels playing that night to $189. The largest receipts
for a single night that season were drawn bv the Italian
opera company of which Grisi and Mario were the stars.
The date was Monday, January 22, the opera was "Norma,"
and the receipts were $4225.

Mario

&y%j

Mr. Forrester

Mr. Donaldson

Miss Phillips

Scene from " The Devil's Bridge "

CHAPTER IV

THE SEASON OF 1855-56

The following was the staff for the season of 1855-56:
Thomas Barry, manager; J. B. Wright, assistant man-
ager; Hayes and Selwin, scenic artists ; F. Fleming, treasurer;
H. W. Fenno, ticket-agent; Thomas Comer, musical direct-
or. The company were Mr. Belton (from the Theatre Royal,
Drnry Lane, London, -- his first appearance in America),
John Gilbert, John Wood, H. F. Daly, Stoddart, W. II. Cur-
tis, Moses Fiske, Donaldson, Cowell, G. W. Johnson, S. D.
Johnson, G. Johnson, N. T. Davenport, T. E. Morris, John

THE BOSTON THEATRE

H. Selwin, Forrester, Price, Holmes, Dayton, Gouldson, Barry,

Mrs. Barrow, Mrs. Hudson Kirby, Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Gilbert,

Mrs. Belton, Adelaide Bid-
dies, Emma Taylor, Clara
Biddies, Mrs. Dixon, Misses
Walker, Smith, Rose, Christy,
Robinson, Walters, and How-
ell. The season opened on
September 10 with the com-
pany in "Much Ado About
Nothing" and "Betty Mar-
tin." The bill was changed
at every performance for a
fortnight, the offerings being
"The Stranger," "Wild
Oats," 'The Poor Gentle-
man," "The Hunchback,"
"Paul Pry," "The School

for Scandal," "A Cure for the Heartache," "Twelfth Night,"

"Wives as They Were and Maids as They

Are," with a different farce each evening.
Mr. and Mrs. George Vandenhoff played

the week of September 24 in "Hamlet,"

"Money," "Town and Country," "The

School for Scandal," and "The Lady of

Lyons."

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams opened on

October 1 and remained three weeks, offering

" The Custom of the Country," ' Born to Good Mrs Barney

Luck/' 'Barnev the Baron," "The Irish Williams

Barney Williams

THE SEASON OF 1855-56

Tiger," "Ireland as It Is," "Our Gal," "Patience and Per-
severance," "Irish Assurance and Yankee Modesty," "The
Happy Man," "Ireland and America," 'Law for Ladies,"
"Teddy the Tiler," "The Fairy Circle," "The Irish Am-
bassador," "In and Out of Place," 'The Irish Tutor,"
"Shandy Maguire," "O'Flanagan and the Fairies," 'The
Limerick Boy," "Yankee Courting," 'The Modern Mephis-
topheles," "Brian O'Linn," "The
Bashful Man," and "The Irish
Thrush and the Swedish Nightin-
gale." Among the songs sung by
Mr. and Mrs. Williams were
" Bobbing Around," " Independence
Day," "Jordan is a Hard Road to
Travel ," " Widow Machree," " Whis-
key in the Jug," " Our Mary Anne,"
"Shelalah Gramarchree," and "St.
Patrick's Day."

Rachel, the great French actress,
and her company of French players
opened on October 22 in "Horaces,"
her other plays being "Phedre,"
"Angelo," "Andromaque," "Mary

Stuart," "Adrienne Lecouvreur," 'Polyeucte," and "Le Moi-
neau de Lesbie." Rachel was taken ill and was unable to
perform on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 30 and 31.
On the latter date the regular company played 'Wives as
They Were and Maids as They Are." She appeared again
on Thursday, November 1, as Adrienne and on Friday she
played "Virginie" and sang "La Marseillaise." The prices

Rachel

THE BOSTON THEATRE

for this engagement were one, two, and three dollars a seat,
and the receipts for the eight performances footed up $28,090,
an average of over $3500 per performance. At the foot of
the programmes were the following notes :

'''Notice. The Management disclaims all connection with
Speculators who sell Tickets with a premium, and especially

George Vandenhoff Mrs. George Vandenhoff

with an office of the kind established in the same house as his
office.

"Notice. The Lessee respectfully announces that having
relinquished all interest in and control of the Theatre during
the Performances of Mile. Rachel, the admissions thereto,
during that brief period, are under the control of Monsieur
Raphael Felix, absolutely/'

Edwin Forrest came on November 5 for four weeks in his
tragic repertory. John Gilbert did not appear in Mr. Forrest's
plays or in the accompanying afterpieces during this engage-
ment, but did appear in the bill at the Saturday matinee,
December 1, the first performance after Mr. Forrest had
concluded his engagement.

THE SEASON OF 1855-56

Adelaide Phillips made her first appearance after her return
from Italy on December 2 and remained that week, singing in
"The Devil's Bridge," "The Du-
enna," and "The Cabinet," the
other parts in these pieces being
assumed by members of the stock
company. At her benefit on De-
cember 7, 1855, she was also seen
in the last act of " Giulietta e Ro-
meo," Mrs. John Wood singing
Juliet to her Romeo. Miss Phil-
lips had heretofore been known
to the public as a dancer.

The company filled the weeks
of December 10 and 17 with vari-
ous comedies, John Gilbert and
Thomas Barry having benefits
during that time. "The Tempest
production on December 24, 1855. with this cast

Adelaide Phillips

was given an elaborate

Prospero

Antonio

Alonzo

Sebastiano

Ferdinand

Gonzalo

Caliban

Trinculo

Stephano

Shipmaster

Boatswain

The Harpy

Thomas Barry.

Mr. Donaldson.

Mr. Cowell.

X. T. Davenport.

Mr. Belton.

Mr. Morris.

John Gilbert.

W. II. Curtis.

John Wood.

Mr. Davmond.

Mr. Price.

Master Joe Johnson.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Ariel

Miranda

Iris

Juno

Ceres

Mrs. John Wood.
Mrs. Barrow.
Emma Taylor.
Clara Biddies.
Mrs. John Wood.

A line on the programme states : k The Play of ' The Tem-
pest' heretofore performed in this city was Dryden's with
Davenant's additions. The Poetry of
Shakespeare will be presented on this
occasion, without addition and with
but few necessary curtailments." "The
Tempest" ran two weeks, with accom-
panying farces.

E. L. Davenport
came on January 7
for a starring engage-
ment, Opening in " St. Elise Hensler

TVTarO " On WednCS- Tlle Boston girl who married a king

day, January 9, "The Tempest" was
revived, Mr. Davenport taking the part
of Prospero, formerly played by
Mr. Barry. He continued in this
part for the remainder of his two
weeks' engagement, with but
three interruptions, when he
played "Richard III" twice and
"Macbeth" once.

Italian opera, with Max Ma-
retzek as conductor and Amati

Elise Hensler

From a photograph taken about the time
of her marriage to King Don Fernando
of Portugal

Dubreuil as stage-manager, filled

3
H

v
o
Sj

i i

THE BOSTON THEATRE

the weeks of January 21, 28, February 4, 11, and 18, the
principals being La Grange, Nantier Didiee, Elise Hensler,
Brignoli, Amodio, Gasparoni, Morelli, Arnoldi, Harrison
Millard, Rovere, and Salviani.

Elise Hensler made her first appearance on January 25,
1856, in "Linda di Chamouni." She was a Boston girl who
was born in 1836, her father being a merchant tailor named
Conrad Hensler, who lived at 32 Carver Street. After two
years' study in Paris and Milan, 1853-55, she made her
American debut in 1855 at the Academy of Music, New York,
with Madame La Grange. In the sixties she sang at the

Opera House in Lisbon with
great success. Her mother was
her constant companion. King
Don Fernando (grandfather
of King Carlos, who was assas-
sinated in 1908, and first cousin
to Queen Victoria of England
and her husband. Prince Al-
bert) met Miss Hensler at a
musicale in Lisbon and soon
after married her for his second
wife on June 10, 1869, in the
Royal Chapel of Pena Castle,
Cintra. Before her marriage
the title of Countess of Edla
was conferred upon her by the
Duke of Saxe-Coburg, brother
of Don Fernando, her name at once appearing in the Alman-
ach de Gotha. Her onlv sister married Doctor Daniel Denison

Joseph Proctor

THE SEASON OF 1855-56

Slade (Harvard College, 1844). Elise, now a widow, lives in Lis-
bon, beloved and respected by all. (This sketch of Miss Hens-
ler's life was contributed by her nephew, Denison R. Slade.)

Joseph Proctor was seen in his repertoire of tragic roles on
the off-nights of the opera.

W. M. Fleming, late manager of the National Theatre, had
a benefit on February 12, when he was seen as Shylock and
Dandy Dinmont, Mrs. Fleming
assuming the role of Nerissa.

Wyzeman Marshall ap-
peared for the week of Febru-
ary 25 in "Zafari," a play by
Dr. J. S. Jones, which then had
its first presentation on any
stage. During the next week
Mr. Marshall played "Ham-
let," "Pizarro," "Julius Cse-

Susan Pyne

sar," and "Macbeth."

On Monday, March 10,
"Olympia," written for Mrs.
Barrow by a gentleman of this
city, had its premiere. "After which, Mrs. Barrow, by desire
and by permission of the author, will illustrate in Indian
costume portions of Professor Longfellow's celebrated poem
of Hiawatha."

At Mrs. Hudson Kirby's benefit on March 24, James Ben-
nett made his reappearance as St. Pierre in "The Wife."

"It Is 111 Playing with Edged Tools," by "a gentleman well
known in the literary world." was produced March 31 and ran
two weeks, with the exception of two or three performances.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

A spectacular production of "A Midsummer Night's
Dream" was made on April 14, with the following cast:

Theseus

Ly sander

Demetrius

Egeus

Philostrate

Hippolyta

Helena

Hermia

Nick Bottom

Flute

Quince

Snug

Snout

Starveling

Oberon

Titania

Puck

The Fairy

H. F. Daly.
Mr. Belton.
Mr. Stoddart.
Mr. Cowell.
N. T. Davenport.
Mrs. Belton.
Mrs. Hudson Kirby.
Adelaide Biddies.
John Gilbert.
John Wood.
W. H. Curtis.
S. D. Johnson.
T. E. Morris.
Mr. Holmes.
Mrs. Barrow.
Emma Taylor.
Mrs. John Wood.
Clara Biddies.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream' ran with interruptions
until May 30. On Wednesday, May 14, Adelaide Biddies had
a farewell benefit, prior to her return to Europe.

The Vestvali Italian Opera Troupe was seen on June 4 and
6 and the afternoon of the 7th in programmes which included
concert numbers, with acts from "II Trovatore," "Ernani,"
and 'Montecchi e Capuletti." The principals consisted of
Vestvali, Constanza Manzini, Ceresa, Barili, and Nune. The
same company gave "Ernani" on June 11, and 'II Trova-
tore" on the 16th and 18th, while on the 19th was presented a
mixed bill made up of acts from "Ernani," "Lucia," "Romeo

THE SEASON OF 1855-56

and Juliet," and "II Barbiere di Seviglia." This closed the
season .

Mr. Barry's notes during the season make interesting read-
ing. He says that on Tuesday, September 11, 1855, Barnum's
Baby-Show opened at Music
Hall and continued the re-
mainder of the week to as-
tonishing business. Seventeen
thousand persons paid for
admission on Wednesday and
the receipts continued to in-
crease after that. This seri-
ously affected business at all
the theatres throughout the
city. On Friday. October 5,
Barney Williams took a bene-
fit, having for opposition bene-
fits at the Museum, Howard,
and National. When Adelaide
Phillips had her benefit, on

December 7, 1855, the famous author, William Makepeace
Thackeray, was lecturing in the Melodeon next door to a
crowded house. When Mr. Barry's own benefit came off, his
opposition was E. F. Reach's benefit at the Museum, another
lecture by Thackeray, and a concert, the date being Friday,
December 21. In these modern days no manager would ever
dream of taking; a benefit in the week before Christmas, as
that is in Boston the worst week of the season.

Vestvali

CHAPTER V

THE SEASON OF 1856-5

The company for the season of 1856-57 remained practically
the same. William Ellison became the treasurer and Jacob
T. Johnson the machinist. "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

opened the season on September 3 and was played all of that
week. During the week of September 15 "The Tempest,"
"Old Heads and Young Hearts," and "Much Ado About
Nothing" were played.

At the Franklin Celebration on Wednesday, September 17,
1856, "The Tempest" and "The Young Widow" were given,

together with a "Tribute to Franklin,
with new scenery by Mr. Hayes, as-
sisted by Mr. Selwin, representing the
house in which Franklin was born
and the Franklin Statue in front of
the City Hall." An address, written
for the occasion, was spoken by Mrs.
Barrow. The Ames Manufacturing
Company, by invitation, visited the
theatre that evening.

Tom Taylor's ' Retribution "' had
its first representation in America on September 22, and
continued through the week. L The Marble Heart" filled
the week of September 29, being seen for the first times in
Boston.

Max Maretzek

4(>

1 a T M T MEAT MS

Edwin Forrest

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Miss Davenport was the first star of the season. She is sup-
posed to have suggested as a child the character of the Infant

Phenomenon in Dickens's novel
of "Nicholas Nickleby." She
afterward became Mrs. Lander
and was a prominent star for
years. On this occasion she
opened on October 6 in
"Love," her other plays being
"The Maid of Mariendorpt,"
"The Lady of Lyons," "The
Hunchback," "Adrienne, the
Actress," "Camille," and
'Mona Lisa." She remained
two weeks.

Italian opera under Max Ma-
retzek came on
October 20 for three weeks, the chief artists
being La Grange, Adelaide Phillips, Bertucca
Maretzek, Brignoli, Amodio, Coletti, Ceresa,
Taffanelli, Barattina, and Miss S. Pyne. Dur-
ing this engagement "The North Star" was
heard for the first times in Boston and had
three representations.

Edwin Forrest began a five weeks' stay on
November 10. John Gilbert did not appear
in the plays with Mr. Forrest, but did perform
in the afterpieces the same evenings, notably
a farce called " John Gilbert and His Dauoh-
ter," written by W. W. Clapp, Jr., in which

La Grange

i^iiMI

Brignoli

THE SEASON OF 1856-5

he personated John Gilbert, "a retired actor." W. H. Curtis
was "an actor still in harness," and Mrs. Barrow was Julia
Gilbert, "for this night only, and by kind permission of J. G."
During Mr. Forrest's stay "William Tell" was presented for
the first time in this theatre and ran an entire week.

"Self" and "My Wife's Mirror" were given by the stock
company for the week of December 15,
both being new to Boston.

The Ravels opened on December 22
and remained six weeks, giving their
pantomimes and ballets, while the stock
company were seen in farces. This
company was headed by Antoine and
Jerome Ravel and included Leon Espi-
noza, Paul Brilliant, Young Hengler,
Young America, then four years of age,
Chiarini, Marzetti, Mile. Robert, Mme.
Monplaisir, Mine. Marzetti, Lina Windel, the Lehmans, and
others.

Brough's burlesque, "The Corsair," was produced on Feb-
ruary 2 and continued for two weeks, with some interruptions,
with this cast :

Gazzaniga

Conrad, the Corsair

Birbanto

Seyd, or Seedy, Pasha

Svno; Smaul

Yussuf

Medora

Gulnare

Zulicma

Mrs. John Wood.
John Wood.
John Gilbert
Mr. Holmes.
W. H. Curtis.
Lizzie Emmons.
"Sirs. John Gilbert.
Mrs. Marshall.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Submarina
Serena
Coralia
Azurina

Tempestia

Ida Vernon.
Emma Taylor.
Miss Florence.
Miss Marshall.

Miss Munroe.

For Mrs. John Wood's benefit, on February 13 and 14, an
Atrocious Outrage" called "Hiawatha, or Ardent Spirits and

Laughing Water," was played.
In the course of the burlesque
Mrs. Wood sang 'My Love
He is a Sailieur."

Three benefits occurred
during the week of February
16, to Mr. and Mrs. John Gil-
bert, to W. A. Donaldson, and
to Mrs. Hudson Ear by.

Mrs. McMahon played a

starring engagement of one

week, beginning February 23,

in "The Hunchback," 'The

School for Scandal," 'Romeo

and Juliet," "Fazio," and

'The Lady of Lyons." Mrs.

Hudson Kirby was seen as Romeo to Mrs. McMahon's Juliet.

The stock company filled the week of March 2 with

comedies, several benefits taking place during the week.

Agnes Robertson and Dion Bourcicault (who afterward dis-
carded the r in Bourcicault) began a three weeks' season on
March 9 in 'The Life of an Actress." They also presented
The Phantom," "The Young Actress," "Bob Nettles,"

Agnes Robertson

<( T

THE SEASON OF 1856-57

"Andy Blake," "Bluebelle," "Pauline,'
ure," "The Chameleon," and "Used
Up."

The stock company presented " Ruth
Oakley" on March 30 and 31.

German opera, under the direction
of Carl Bergmann, with Theodore
Thomas as conductor, opened on
April 1, playing only three times,
Wednesday and Friday nights and
Saturday matinee. The principals
were Mme. Johannsen, Mme. Von
Berkel, Weinlich, Reutler, and Ochr-
lein. The Orpheus Club, under Mr.
Kreissmann, volunteered their serv-
ices. "Fidelio" was given entire -
its first time in Boston - - and acts were
(riven from "Der Freischiitz," 'Czar

"The Little Treas-

Edwin Booth as Sir Giles
Overreach

Ma-

Matilda Heron

and Carpenter," and
son and Locksmith."

George Vandenhoff opened
on April 6 for an engage-
ment of one week, present-
ing "Henry V," "Hamlet,"
and "Macbeth." On Satur-
day afternoon he played John
Mildmay in "Still Waters
Run Deep," and also, in the
costume of Apollo, recited
Collins's "Ode to the Pas-

THE BOSTON THEATRE

sions," with "Statuesque Illustrations of Fear, Anger, Love,
Jealousy, Hope, Despair, and Joy." John Wood and Wil-
liam Ellison had benefits, at the
latter of which Mr. Vandenhoff
was seen as Jacques in "As You
Like It."

Edwin Booth's first Boston ap-
pearance as a star was made on
April 20, 1857, he being then
not yet twenty-four years old. He
opened in "A New Way to Pay
Old Debts" and remained two
weeks, presenting also "Riche-
lieu," "Richard III," "The Apo-
state," "Bertram," "Little Tod-

Nantier Didiee

dlekins," in

which he played

John Robinson
Brownsmith, "Hamlet," "King Lear,"
"Brutus," "The Iron Chest," and "Kath-
arine and Petruchio."

Matilda Heron played "Camille" all the
week of May 4, and "Medea," "Camille,"
and "Fazio" the week of the 11th.

Avonia Jones, whose father was George, the
Count Joannes, and whose mother was Me-
linda Jones, played a week beginning May 18
in "Inffomar," "The Ladv of Lyons," "Ro-
meo and Juliet," "The School for Scandal,"
and "Armand." Her mother was seen as Madame Johannsen

THE SEASON OF 1856-57

Romeo, and George Pauncefort returned to the theatre for
two performances of the title role in "Armand."

Mr. Belton, J. B. Wright, and Mrs. John Wood had bene-
fits during the week of May 25, and the dramatic season
closed on Monday, June 1, with a benefit to Mrs. Barrow,
when E. L. Davenport played Dazzle, Mr. Barrow, Mark
Meddle, Mrs. E. L. Davenport, Grace Harkaway, and Mrs.
Barrow, Lady Gay Spanker in " London Assurance." The
Germania Band, under the leadership of A. Heinicke, also
appeared.

Italian opera, under the direction of Max Maretzek,
opened on Monday, June 8, and remained two weeks, the
principals being Gazzaniga, Landi, Avogadro, Barattini,
Adelaide Phillips, Brignoli, Amodio, Coletti, Assoni, Quinto,
and Mtiller. Their operas were "La Traviata," 'II Trova-
tore," "Lucrezia Borgia," "II Barbiere di Seviglia," 'Lucia,"
" Linda di Chamouni," " Elisire d'Amore," and the last act
of " Giulietta e Romeo," with Gazzaniga and Phillips as
Juliet and Romeo.

On Thursday, May 21, 1857, Mr. Barry made the following
note: "Nigger Slaves at the Melodeon played to $200. They
are not slaves. Query : White men with black, etc. ? '

The theatrical contracts of those days make interesting
reading. The following is a copy of one, to which the rules of
the theatre are appended as a part of the agreement :

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, made and entered into,
this first day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty-four,

Between Thomas Barry, Manager of the Boston Theatre,

THE BOSTON THEATRE

in the City of Boston, of the First Part, and John Doe, of the
Second Part,

Witness, that the said Doe, for and in consideration of the
Covenants hereinafter mentioned, on the part of the said
Thomas Barry to be performed, has covenanted and agreed,
and by these presents doth covenant and agree, to and with the
said Thomas Barry, that he, the said Doe, shall and will for
the space of one theatrical season, to commence the latter end
of August or beginning of September and close in the Month
of May or June next ensuing, perform, under the direction of
the said Thomas Barry or his deputy duly appointed, all such
parts or characters, in all Theatrical Performances, as shall,
from time to time, be allotted to the said Doe by the said
Thomas Barry or his Deputy, to the best of his skill and
ability, in every Theatre belonging to the said Thomas Barry,
or in which the said Thomas Barry shall require the services
of the said Doe (he, the said Thomas Barry, paying the travel-
ing expenses to and fro), and that the said Doe shall attend
all rehearsals and practices which shall be desired and directed
by the said Thomas Barry or his Deputy. The said Doe doth
further covenant and agree that he will conform to and abide
by, all and every, the regulations and penalties instituted by
the said Thomas Barry, for the preservation of order and good
government, and due attention to the business and interests of
the Theatre. The said Doe doth further covenant and agree
that he will not, at any time or times, for the term aforesaid,
practice, rehearse, act, sing or perform in any Entertainment
or Exhibition whatever, or in any Oratorio or Concert, in
any Theatre or place whatever, except under the direction,
management, or appointment of the said Thomas Barry, or

THE SEASON OF 1856-57

his Deputy, without the consent and permission of the said
Thomas Barry, first had and obtained in writing for that
express purpose.

In consideration whereof the said Thomas Barry, on his
part, doth covenant, promise and agree, to and with the said
Doe, that he will pay, or cause to be paid, to the said Doe, the
sum of Twenty Dollars, for each week of Theatrical Exhibi-
tion that the said Theatre shall be open, under the manage-
ment of the said Thomas Barry, the week being considered
to contain six public Theatrical Entertainments, and the afore-
said sum of Twenty Dollars, for each week of Theatrical
Exhibition, or a proportion of that sum for any portion of a
week of Theatrical Exhibition, shall be subject to the cus-
tomary reduction of one third, during the months of January
and February.

And the said Thomas Barry shall have the power of retain-
ing, for his own use and benefit, out of the different salaries so
agreed upon, all and every sum or sums of money as the afore-
said Doe shall or may forfeit, and become liable to pay accord-
ing to the regulations and penalties hereinafter mentioned.

For the full and true performance of all and every, the cov-
enants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto
subscribing do mutually bind themselves to each other, in the
penal sum of one thousand dollars.

In witness whereof the parties to these presents have
interchano-eablv set their Hands and affixed their Seals, the
dav and year before written.

Sealed and delivered Thomas Barry.

in the presence of John Doe.

J. B. Wright.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

RULES AND REGULATIONS
OF THE
BOSTON THEATRE
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THOMAS BARRY

1. Gentlemen, at the time of rehearsal or performance, are
not to wear their hats in the Green Room or talk vociferously.
The Green Room is a place appointed for the quiet and regu-
lar meeting of the company, who are to be called thence, and
thence only, by the call-boy, to attend on the Stage. The Man-
ager is not to be applied to in that place, on any matter of busi-
ness, or with any personal complaint. For a breach of any part
of this article, fifty cents will be forfeited.

2. The call for all rehearsals will be put up by the Prompter
between the Play and Farce on evenings of performances. No
plea will be received that the call was not seen, in order to avoid
the penalties of Article Fifth.

3. Any person appearing intoxicated on the Stage shall for-
feit a week's salary, and be liable to be discharged.

4. For making the Stage wait, fifty cents.

5. After due notice, all rehearsals must be attended. The
Green-Room clock, or the Prompter's watch, is to regulate the
time; ten minutes will be allowed (the first call only) for dif-
ference in clocks; forfeit, twenty- five cents for every scene;
the whole rehearsal at the same rate, or four dollars, at the
option of the Manager.

6. A Performer rehearsing from a book or part at the last
rehearsal of a new piece, and after proper time given for study,
forfeits one dollar.

7. A Performer introducing his own language or improper

THE SEASON OF 1856-57

jests not in the author, or swearing in his part, shall forfeit
one dollar.

8. Any person conversing with the Prompter during repre-
sentation, or talking aloud behind the scenes to the interrup-
tion of the performance, to forfeit fifty cents.

9. Every Performer connected with the first act of a play to
be in the Green Room dressed for performance, at the time of
beginning, as expressed in the bills, or to forfeit five dollars.
The Performers in the second act to be ready when the first
finishes. In like manner with every other act. Those Per-
formers who are not in the two last acts of the play, to be ready
to begin the farce, or to forfeit one dollar. When a change of
dress is necessary, ten minutes will be allowed.

10. All dresses will be regulated and arranged on the morn-
ing of the performance. A Performer who makes any altera-
tion in such dresses without the consent of the Manager, or
refuses to wear them, shall forfeit one dollar.

11. A Performer not ready in any character, having had the
usual time allowed for study, and receiving due notice of its
representation, shall forfeit one dollar.

12. A Performer, imperfect in an old play or opera, after suf-
ficient time allowed, shall forfeit one dollar; but in a new play,
after two rehearsals, the forfeit shall be doubled.

13. If the Prompter shall be guilty of any neglect in his
office, or omit to forfeit where penalties are incurred by non-
observance of the Rules and Regulations of the Theatre, he
shall forfeit for each offense or omission one dollar.

14. For refusing, on a sudden change of a play or farce, to
represent a character performed by the same person during
the season, a week's salary shall be forfeited.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

15. A Performer refusing a part allotted him by the Manager
forfeits a week's salary or may be discharged.

16. Any person wishing to introduce a new piece for their
Benefit, the Manuscript or Book must be given to the Man-
ager, for his perusal, at least one fortnight previous; the said
Manuscript or Book, or a copy thereof (should it be approved
of), to be considered the property of the Theatre.

17. No Prompter, Performer, or Musician will be permitted
to copy any manuscript or music belonging to the Theatre,
without permission of the Manager, under the penalty of fifty
dollars.

18. Any performer singing songs not advertised in the bills of
the day, omitting any, or introducing them, not in the part
allotted, without first having consent of the Manager, forfeits
a night's salary.

19. Making an entrance at an improper place at rehearsal,
twenty-five cents.

20. A Performer restoring what is cut out by the Manager
will forfeit one dollar.

21. A Performer absenting* himself from the Theatre when
concerned in the business of the Stage shall forfeit a week's
salary, or be held liable to be discharged, at the option of the
Manager.

22. In all cases of sickness, the Manager reserves to himself
the right of payment or stoppage of salary during the absence
of the sick person.

23. No person permitted, on any account, to address the
audience but with the consent of the Manager. Any violation
of this article will subject the party to a forfeiture of a week's
salary, or a discharge, at the option of the Manager.

THE SEASON OF 1856-57

24. Any Performer who shall assert before the acting Man-
ager or Prompter, or any third person, that it is not his inten-
tion to play his character, or to appear in a performance to
which he has been duly appointed, thereby causing trouble
and anxiety to the Manager, and obliging him to prepare
another person in his part or parts, although he may appear
at night himself, for the suspense and uncertainty which his
assertion must necessarily cause shall forfeit a week's salary.

25. Gambling of every description is strictly forbidden in
every part of the Theatre; the penalty a week's salary, and
immediate discharge, at the option of the Manager.

26. Any new rule which may be found necessary shall be
considered as part of these Rules and Regulations after it is
publicly made known in the Green Room.

Ladies and Gentlemen, bringing servants, must on no
account permit them behind the scenes.

Ladies and Gentlemen are requested not to bring children
behind the scenes, unless actually required in the business.

It is particularly requested that every Lady and Gentleman
shall report to the Prompter their respective places of residence.

Ladies and Gentlemen prevented attending the rehearsal
by indisposition will please give notice to the Prompter before
the hour of beginning.

gSgr^Yo stranger or person, not connected with the Theatre, will
be permitted behind the Scenes without the written permission of
the Manager.

CHAPTER VI

THE SEASON OF 1857-58

The season of 1857-58 found the Boston Theatre in shoal
waters. The great panic of 1857 occurred during Septem-
ber and October of that year. Disaster was everywhere, and
the whole country seemed on the verge of ruin. Mr. Barry's
comments at the time are particularly interesting :

Monday, September 28, 1857. Great Panic. Failures for
Millions.

Tuesday, 29. Panic occasioning more failures.

Wednesday, 30. Still more failures.

Thursday, October 1. Day of consternation. More failures.

Monday, October 5. Unprecedented financial crisis this.
Banks suspended.

Tuesday, 6th. Great panic in New York. Great failures in
Boston and New York.

Thursday, 8th. Lola Montez lectured at the Melodeon.
Receipts, $225.

Saturday, 10th. A week of ruin to merchants.

Monday, 12th. Great panic in New York.

Tuesday. 13th. New York banks suspended.

Wednesday, 14th. Boston banks suspended. Great instru-
mental concert in the Melodeon a failure ; the others put off.

Thursday, 15th. Great political meetings at night.

At the opening of the season the prices were lowered to suit
the times, the first floor and balcony seats being sold at fifty

THE SEASON OF 1857-58

cents, second balcony twenty-five cents, and gallery fifteen
cents.

The season opened on Monday, September 7, with the fol-
lowing company : George
Vandenhoff, Charles Pope,
John Gilbert, William Dav-
idge, George H. Andrews,
J. B. Howe, W. A. Don-
aldson, W. H. Curtis, S. D.
Johnson, Cowell, Holmes,
Selwin, G. Johnson, Price,
Finn, Daymond, Rose, Ver-
ney, Barry, Lizzie Weston
Davenport, Mrs. Abbott,
Josephine Manners, Mrs.
John Gilbert, Lizzie Em-
mons, Mrs. T. Johnson,
Ida Vernon, Mrs. Mar-
shall, Emma Taylor. The
stock company played the
first week in "Evadne,"
"The Poor Gentleman,"
"Romeo and Juliet," "The Victims,"
and two or three farces.

Edwin Booth opened on September 14 and remained two
weeks. He played Iago for the first time in Boston on Wednes-
day, September 16, 1857, and Othello for the first time on
Monday. September 21.

Charles Mathews began a three weeks' stay October 5,
his plays being "Patter vs. Clatter," 'Domestic Economy."

Edwin Booth as Hamlet

Masks and Faces, :

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Married for Money," "A Game of Speculation," "Cool as a
Cucumber," "Used Up," "Little Toddlekins," "The Busy-
body," "A Curious Case," -Trying It On," "A Bachelor of
Arts," "The Practical Man," "The Captain of the Watch,"
and "London Assurance."

The regular company filled the weeks of October 26 and
November 2 with comedies and farces, to light business.

The Ronzani Ballet Troupe, an extremely talented organi-
zation, opened on November 9, and remained four weeks, pro-
ducing ballets and pantomimes. Their offerings were " Faust,"

Charles Mathews

"BiricchinodiParigi," "Cavallo d'Oro," "Allogio Militare,"
and "L'lllusione d'un Pittore."

Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Thorne began a two weeks'
engagement on December 7, playing "Don Caesar de Bazan,"
"Rob Roy," "Ernest Maltravers," "The Stranger," "Alex-

THE SEASON OF 1857-58

ander the Great, " and 'Uncle Tom's Cabin." In the last-
named play Mr. Thorne played Uncle Tom, Mrs. Thorne
Topsy, and Anna Maria
Quinn made her first ap-
pearance as Eva.

Mrs. Annie Senter pre-
sented "A Snake in the
Grass" on December 21 for
four nights. On December
24 she also delivered, "in
appropriate costume, a Fire-
man's Address, written ex-
pressly for her." She played
"Satan in Paris" on Christ-
mas night and the following
afternoon.

On Monday, December 28,
was produced "The Scarlet

Letter," written expressly for this occa-
sion by G. H. Andrews, Mrs. Abbott
being the Hester Prynne. Mr. An-
drews did not play in the piece, but
was seen in the farce of "Wanted,
1000 Milliners," as Joe Baggs and
Madame Vanderpants. "The Scarlet
Letter" was played but two nights
and was followed by "The Money
Panic of '57," an adaptation of "Les
I Pauvres de Paris," the French orig-
Emma Taylor inal from which " The Streets of New ,

L. R. Shewell

THE BOSTON THEATRE

York" was taken by Dion Boucicault. William Davidge im-
personated Dick Tatters, the part which Frank Mayo after-
ward played under the title of Badger. Despite the play's
timeliness it failed to draw, the receipts on New Year's Eve
being but $85.05.

Matilda Heron began a fortnight's season on January 4,
1858, her offerings being "The Maid's Tragedy," "Camille,"

" Medea," " Phaedra," " Fazio," " Vice and
Virtue," "Masks and Faces," and "Leo-
nore."

The Ravels commenced on January 18
a nine weeks' run, with good financial re-
sults, presenting among other pieces "Bi-

?J a

anco, The Golden Ego'," "The Green

'&&'

Gabriel Ravel

Monster," 'Raoul," and "Asphodel."
Gabriel Ravel headed the troupe at this
time, other members beinff Jerome and
Antoine Ravel, Teresa Rolla. Marietta
Zanfretta, M. and Mme. Marzetti, and
Paul Brilliant.

Mrs. Hudson Kirby had a benefit on
March 22, playing "A Hard Struggle"
and "Gwynneth Vaughan."
Edwin Booth returned on Tuesday, March 23, and finished
out the fortnight in his usual repertoire. Wyzeman Marshall
was seen as Othello to Booth's I ago on March 25 and as Iago
to his Othello on March 31. Mrs. Hudson Kirby played Master
Wilford in "The Iron Chest" at the matinee on March 27 to
Booth's Sir Edward Mortimer.

On Tuesday, April 6, the "Fairy Star," Agnes Robertson,

THE BOSTON THEATRE

opened in "Jessie Brown, or the Siege of Lucknow," which
ran two weeks. She remained another week in "Andy Blake,"
"Bluebelle," and "The Young Actress," while Dion Bouci-
cault assisted her in the last-named piece, and was also seen
in "Bob Nettles."

E. L. Davenport and Joseph Proctor played their first
engagement together, beginning April 26, 1858, in "Julius
Caesar," with Davenport as Brutus and Proctor as Marc
Antony. "Damon and Pythias" followed, with Proctor as
Damon and Davenport as Pythias; ''Othello," with Proctor
as Othello and Davenport as Iago; "Richard III," with

Davenport as Richard
and Proctor as Rich-
mond; "Macbeth,"
with Proctor as Mac-
beth and Davenport as
Macduff; "St. Marc,"
with Davenport as St.
Marc and Proctor as
Gismonde. At Mr.
Proctor's benefit on
Monday, May 3, he
played Damon in the
first and second acts
and Pythias in the
third, fourth, and fifth,
while Mr. Davenport
played Pythias in the first and second and Damon in the
third, fourth, and fifth. 'The Jibbenainosay" was given the
same night, with Proctor as Nick of the Woods and Daven-

Charlotte Cushman

THE SEASON OF 1857-58

port as Roaring Ralph Stackpole. At Mr. Davenport's bene-
fit "St. Marc" and '"The Serious Family" were, offered, with
the beneficiary as Captain Murphy Maguire in the latter
play. The season for the stock
company came to an end on
May 7.

Charlotte Cushman began on
May 31 a fortnight's engage-
ment "prior to her return to
Europe and her Final Retire-
ment from the Stage." (She
continued to retire from the
stage for eighteen years after
that.) E. L. Davenport played
the leading parts with her and
the following players made their
first professional appearances in
this city: Mary Devlin, who

afterward married Edwin Booth, L. R. Shewell, G. C. Boni-
face, Dan Setchell, James Dunn, Collier, Walters, and Bishop,
while Anna Cruise made her first appearance in this theatre.
The plays were "Henry VIII," 'Macbeth," 'Romeo and
Juliet," with Charlotte Cushman as Romeo and Mary Devlin
as Juliet, "Guy Mannering," 'The Stranger," 'The Actress
of Padua," and "She Stoops to Conquer."

The theatre was closed for a week and the Ronzani Ballet
Troupe filled the week of June 21, thus closing a season that
was notable for the fact that there had been not one per-
formance of opera within the year.

Dan Setchell

CHAPTER VII

THE SEASON OF 1858-59

Continued bad business, caused by the panieof 1857, had so
evil an effect on the finances of the Boston Theatre that in
the autumn of 1858 the corporation succumbed to the inevitable
and gave up the ghost. The old company was entirely wiped
out and a new corporation was formed under the title of " The
Proprietors of the Boston Theatre," with a capital stock of
$125,000, which corporation has continued to exist down to
the present day. John E. Lodge was elected its first president.
The list of the stockholders at that time contains many noted
Boston names and is given here in full : W. Amory, William T.
Andrews, Isaiah Atkins, George Bacon, Levi Bartlett, Edward
C. Bates, John D. Bates, Dudley H. Bayley, George M.
Barnard, Josiah Bardwell, Edward Blanchard, William H.
Boardman, James C. Bayley, John P. Bayley, Bigelow Bro-
thers and Kennard, William O. Billings, Benjamin G. Board-
man, Frederic H. Bradlee, J. Tisdale Bradlee, Nathaniel J.
Bradlee, Gardner Brewer, Peter C. Brooks, Martin Brimmer,
Stephen H. Bullard, Edmund Boynton, Charles F. Bradford,
Caleb Chase, Benjamin P. Cheney, John Clark, John T.
Coolidge, John T. Coolidge, Jr., Thomas B. Curtis, Theodore
Chase, Addison Child, Charles U. Cotting, Charles F. Curtis,
William J. Cutler, Martha P. Codman, J. Amory Davis, John
H. Dix, N. H. Emmons, N. H. Emmons, Jr., Robert W.
Emmons, Charles W. Eldredge, Franklin Evans, Phineas

THE SEASON OF 1858-59

Fiske, Ebenezer T. Farrington, George N. Faxon, John
Foster, John H. Foster, A. A. Frazar, A. H. Fiske, Isaac D.
Farnsworth, Seth W. Fowle, William F. Freeman, Henry J.
Gardner, Albert Glover, Joseph B. Glover, Thomas Goddard,
William W. Goddard, William F. Grnbb, Thomas W. Gray,
Andrew T. Hall, Martin L. Hall, Nathaniel Harris, E. Hatha-
way, Franklin Haven, John
R. Hall, Samuel Hatch, J. E.
Hazelton, Mark Healey, John
T. Heard, Augustine Heard,
Peter T. Homer, Nathaniel
Hooper, Samuel Hooper,
George O. Hovey, George
Howe, Joseph N. Howe, H.
H. Hunnewell, Charles Hick- A
ling, William H. Hill, Horatio
Harris, Deming Jarves, C. B.
Johnson, J. G. Kidder, M.
Day Kimball, C. E. King,
Benjamin Lincoln, F. W. Lin-
coln, John E. Lodge, George
W. Lvman, Thomas Lamb,

Henry Lee, Jr., Robert C. Mackay, Charles E. Miller, George
R. Minot, George W. Messenger, Nathaniel C. Nash, R. W.
Newton, Lyman Nichols, Harvey D. Parker, William F. Par-
rott, Thomas W. Pierce, William P. Pierce, James W. Paige,
Lorenzo Papanti, Henry A. Pierce, Samuel S. Pierce, William
Perkins, Solomon Piper, Isaac Pratt, Sampson Reed, Thomas
P. Rich, Otis Rich, William J. Reynolds, John Simmons,
Thomas Simmons, Charles A. Smith, Melancthon Smith,

Edwin Adams

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Carl Formes

Henry Sayles, William Sheafe, Nathaniel Thayer, A. W.
Thaxter, Jr., L. W. Tappan, E. P. Tileston, F. U. Tracy,

Benjamin W. Thayer, Orlando Tomp-
kins, William Thomas, Alanson Tucker,
Jr., John W. Trull, William W. Tucker,
Frederic Tudor, Newell A. Thompson,
John S. Tyler, George B. Upton, Reu-
ben S. Waide, Henry Wainwright,
George W. Wales, Thomas Wetmore,
A. C. Wheelwright, Benjamin C. White,
Joseph Whitney, W. F.Whitney, Samuel
Whitwell, John S. Wright, B. S. Welles,
Thomas B. Wales, and Simon Willard.
The formal transfer of the property from the old corpora-
tion to the new one was made on October 9, 1858. On Janu-
ary 4, 1859, that portion of the
property which included the Me-
lodeon Hall, next door south of
the theatre, was sold at public
auction. It was situated on an
irregularly shaped lot of land, 55
feet front by 176 feet deep, con-
taining 9354 square feet, and was
sold with the restriction that no
theatrical entertainments should
be given in the Melodeon. The
property was bought by Charles
Francis Adams and is still in
possession of his estate. As the
Gaietv Theatre and afterward Laborde

THE SEASON OF 1858-59

the Bijou Theatre were constructed on these premises, it would
seem that the restriction was no longer in force.

For the season of 1858-59
Thomas Barry was again man-
ager, with J. P. Price as assistant
manager. An extraordinarily
strong company was engaged,
including Mr. and Mrs. E. L.
Davenport, Edwin Adams,
Charles Bass, George Holland,
Dan Setchell, F. J. Horton, W.
H. Curtis, Cunningham, Ling-
ham, N. Davenport, Selwin,
Reed, J. Adams, Daymond,
Rose, Stephens, Finn, Davis,
Mary Devlin, Charlotte Cramp-
ton, Josephine Orton, Lizzie

Emmons, Mrs. France, Mrs. Barry, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs.
Burroughs, Fanny France, Mrs. Edwin Adams, Misses Mar-
shall, Heaney, Burbank, Kulm, and Hayward. The season
opened on September 13 with the stock company for one

week of standard plays. James Bennett
had a benefit on Thursday, September 16,
when he played Othello to Davenport's
la go.

Julia Dean Hayne was the first star,
opening on September 20 and remaining
two weeks. On Tuesday, September 28,
she presented "The Duke's Wager." a play
by Fannie Kemble Butler.

Lizzie Emmons

Max Strakosch

THE BOSTON THEATRE

William E. Burton

Strakosch's Italian Opera Company came on Tuesday,
October 5, with Pauline Colson, Teresa Parodi, Amalia Patti

Strakosch, Brignoli, Lambocetta, Amo-
dio, Ettore Barili, Nicola Barili, and
Marcel Junca. They sang 'La Travi-
ata," 'Lucrezia Borgia," 'The Daugh-
ter of the Regiment," and "U Trova-
tore," giving but four performances.

William E. Burton began on October
11 a two weeks' season, in which he
played "Dombey and Son," "A Serious
Family," "Wanted, 1000 Milliners,"
"The Breach of Promise," "The Too-
dles," "Blue Devils," "The Dutch Governor," "The Mum-
my," "David Copperfield," "Twelfth Night," and "John
Jones." Charles Fisher and Miss Hughes accompanied Mr.
Burton. When "David Copperfield"
was given, the programme allotted the
parts of the Micawber twins to Master
Wragg and Miss Dummie, they evidently
being doll babies.

Edwin Booth commenced a three
weeks' run on October 2.5. On Novem-
ber 1, 1858, he played Macbeth for the
first time in Boston, Edwin Adams be-
ing the Macduff. On November 12 he
essayed Romeo for the first time here,
the Juliet being Mary Devlin.

The stock company filled the week of November 15.

J. H. Hackett followed on November 22 for a week and a

Edwin Booth

THE SEASON OF 1858-59

half. On Tuesday, November 23, he was first seen as Rip

Van Winkle. During the engagement he played Falstaff in

"Henry IV" and "The Merry Wives

of Windsor," Solomon Swop in "A

Yankee in England," Sir Pertinax

Mac Sycophant in "The Man of the

World," and Nimrod Wildfire in "A

Kentuekian's Trip to New York in

1815."

Charles Bass had a farewell benefit

on Monday, December (>, having pre-
viously been ill for ten weeks.

Italian opera opened on Thursday,

December 8, remaining practically four

weeks, the artists being Piccolomini,

Poinsart, La-
borde, Ghi-
o n i , Carl

Formes, Brignoli, Florenza, Ta-
maro, Dubreuil, Weinlich, Barat-
tina, Quinto, Coletti, and Lorini.
The first Saturday night perform-
ance on record in this theatre was
on Christmas night, December 25,
1858, when Laborde sang in
"Norma."

"The Corsican Brothers" had its
first Boston presentation Thursday,
- -" January 6, 1859, with E. L. Daven-
Lon Morris P ort anQl Edwin Adams in the cast.

Billy Morris

THE BOSTON THEATRE

On Saturday evening, January 8, Robert Stoepel's sym-
phony " Hiawatha " was performed for the first time in public,
with an orchestra of fifty and a chorus from the Handel and
Haydn Society, the soloists being Mrs. I. I. Harwood, Har-
rison Millard, and J. Q. Wetherbee. Matilda Heron (Mrs.
Robert Stoepel) recited extracts from Longfellow's poem.
'The Corsican Brothers' was continued for the week of

January 10. E. L. Daven-
port had a benefit on Janu-
ary 14, when 'The Love
Chase" was played in con-
junction with "The Corsi-
can Brothers," and Morris
Brothers, Pell and Trow-
bridge's Minstrels and Cow-
bell-o-gians appeared " after
their concert is over in School
Street."

'The Cataract of the
Ganges" was produced on
January 17, 1859, with the
stud of horses from James
M. Nixon's circus, and ran
six weeks, closing on February 26, which date also ended
Mr. Barry's lease of the theatre. After that time he remained
three years as agent, letting the house to any manager who
wished to rent it, and at times hiring it himself for some
special engagement.

The first Wednesday matinee ever given in the Boston
Theatre took place on January 26, 1859, the play being

J. C. Trowbridge

THE SEASON OF 1858-59

"The Cataract of the Ganges," and the receipts being
$596.90.

James Pilgrim had a benefit on Saturday evening, Febru-
ary 12, 1859, this being the first dramatic attraction to play on
a Saturday night. The beneficiary was seen as Con O'Grady
in "Americans Abroad"; Edwin Adams played Jere Clip in
"The Widow's Victim," and gave imitations of famous
actors ; Henrietta Lang danced a character dance ; Lon and
Billy Morris and Johnny Pell rendered a comic banjo trio;
F. J. Horton appeared as Paddy Miles in "The Limerick
Boy," and the company played
" Faint Heart Never Won Fair
Lady."

In the latter part of Febru-
ary the auditorium was floored
over level with the stage and
several balls were given, the
first being that of the Boston
Light Infantry, familiarly
known as "The Tigers," the
date being February 28. This
was followed by the Mount
Vernon Ball on March 4, the
Firemen's Military and Civic
Ball on March 18, and a Grand
Juvenile Ball on March 23.

Mr. Barry reopened the theatre on April 5 with a spec-
tacular production of 'Faust and Marguerite," which ran
four weeks with slight interruptions.

On April 25, 1859, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Davenport took a

Johnny Pell

THE BOSTON THEATRE

benefit, when, in addition to 'The Merchant of Venice,"
"Our American Cousin" was played for the first time here,

E. L. Davenport being the Asa
Trenchard and N. T. Davenport
the Lord Dundreary.

Mrs. Barrow returned to the the-
atre for two nights, playing "Retri-
_..>v bution" and "The Love Chase" on

Mjjt' \ April 28 and " Kino- Rene's Daugh-

MpJJ ter"aii(l " She Stoops to Conquer"

\ on the 29th.

On Wednesday evening, April
\ 27, Dan Setchell was the benefici-
A ary, "Paul Pry" and "Our Ameri-
can Cousin'" being the plays. In
P the latter Mr. Setchell was seen as
Asa Trenchard in the first act, Lord

Dan Setchell as Madame .

Vanderpants Dundreary in the second, and Bm-

nev the butler in the third. E. L.
Davenport assumed the role of Asa Trenchard in the second
and third acts, while N. T. Davenport was the Dundreary of
the first and third, and W. H. Curtis played Binney in the
first and second.

W. E. Burton opened on May 2 and played a week and a
half in his comedies. On May 9 and 10 he appeared as Chris-
topher Crookpath in "The Upper Ten and Lower Twenty,"
another version of the French original of " The Streets of New
York."

Italian opera came again on Thursday, May 10, the prin-
cipals being Laborde, Gazzaniga, Phillips, Ghioni, Stefani,

THE SEASON OF 1858-59

Sbriglia, Florenza, Carl Formes, and ]\llle. Poinsart. This
company remained until June 11, the last four performances
being given at fifty cents all over the house.

Thomas Barry had a benefit on Tuesday, June 7, when
the volunteers included James E. Murdoch, E. L. Davenport,
Dan Setchell, John Gilbert,
Edwin Adams, Mrs. Barrow,
Josephine Orton, Mrs. Daven-
port, and Mrs. Gilbert.

At Thomas Comer's benefit
on Saturday evening it being
the law that Saturday evening
performances must close by
eleven o'clock the bill was so
lono- that the farce of " Box and
Cox," with which E. L. Daven-
port and Edwin Adams were
to close the programme, was
played in its entirety in about
five minutes and the curtain Piccolomini

descended on the minute of

eleven, Mr. Barry being so eager to keep within the limits of
the law that he himself gave the curtain signal. Earlier in the
evening Annie Clarke made her first appearance in this
theatre, playing in "Mr. and Mrs. Lilly white" with Mr. and
Mrs. Gilbert and G. D. Chaplin.

CHAPTER VIII

THE SEASON OF 1859-60

No regular dramatic company was engaged for the season
of 1859-60. The time was filled by combinations, the
theatre at times being closed for a week or more. The season
opened on October 3 with two weeks of Italian opera, the
principals being Adelaide Cortesi, Madame and Signor
Gassier, Amalia Strakosch, Pauline Colson, Brignoli, Stigelli,
Marcel Junca, Amodio, Quinto, and Miiller. Signor Muzio
and Maurice Strakosch were the musical directors, Theodore
Thomas leader, Amati Dubreuil stage-manager, and Mr.
Hensler chorus-master. "II Poliuto" was the opening piece
and the only novelty. At the farewell matinee on October 15,
"La Traviata" and the final duet of "La Favorita" were
given. Henry Squires made his Boston debut as Alfred in the
former piece and Miss Abby Fay, "the eminent Boston canta-
trice," sang "Caro Nome del Mio Cor."

The Ravel Family appeared under Thomas Barry's man-
agement on Tuesday, November 1, and remained seven weeks.
The members of this troupe were Gabriel and Francois Ravel,
Maria Hennecart, Marietta Zanfretta, Young America, the
Martinetti Family (Julian, Philippe, Ignatius, Mine. Mar-
tinetti, and Master Paul), Paul Brilliant, Lina Windel, the
Lehmans, and others. Their last performance was on Satur-
day afternoon, December 17.

On December 20, 1859, the auditorium having again been

THE SEASON OF 1859-60

floored over, a grand ball was given by the Second Battalion
of Infantry, Gilmore's Band furnishing the music. Promenade
concerts were also given by Gilmore's Band on the afternoons
and evenings of December 21 and 24.

On January 2, 1860, the name of the theatre was changed
to the "Boston Academy of Music," which title it retained for
nearly three years. This was
to bring it into line with the
Academies of Music in New
York, Brooklyn, Philadel-
phia, and Baltimore, all large
theatres, built for opera-
houses. The great chandelier
was installed and was first
shown to the public on Janu-
ary 2, 1860, the announce-
ments stating that it was " the
largest ever used in any the-
atre, either in this country or
in Europe." It was made by
Cornelius & Baker of Phil-
adelphia and placed in posi-
tion by their agents, N. W.
Turner & Co. of Boston.

Italian opera opened on the
above date with Pauline Colson, Adelina Patti, Mme. Stra-
kosch, Stigelli, Brignoli, Marcel Junca, Susini, Ferri, and
Dubreuil. Adelina Patti made her Boston debut in "Lucia di
Lammermoor" on Tuesday evening, January 3, 1860. This
opera season lasted five weeks. Concerts were given on the

Adelina Patti

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Sunday evenings, Rossini's "Stabat Mater" being sung on

January 8 and Donizetti's "The Martyrs "on the 15th. The

concert of January 22 introduced no oratorio, but " The Cre-

^^ ation" was given on the 29th. " Sicilian

V TP Vespers" and "Saffo" were the novel-

Mr * ties of the season.

Mr. Barry had a benefit on Thurs-
day evening, February 2, when the
j , - following artists volunteered : Pauline

y Colson, Amalia Strakosch, Stigelli,

Amodio, Marcel Junca, Mrs. Barrow,
Mrs. Davenport, Emily Mestayer, E.
L. Davenport, Dan Setchell, A. W.
Fenno, W. Reynolds, and Mr. Bates.
A company headed by Mrs. John
Wood and Joe Jefferson opened on
Ella Zoyara February 6 and remained two weeks,

playing "The Unequal Match," "The
Loan of a Lover," "Jenny Lind," " Somebody Else," "The
Invisible Prince," "A Roland for an Oliver," "Fortunio,"
"The Rough Diamond," "All That Glitters Is Not Gold,"
and " Mischief Making." The other members of the company
were Emily Mestayer, Miss Gimber, A. H. Davenport, Harry
Pearson, Harry Russell, and Messrs. Munro, Wall, and Kings-
land.

Beginning March 5, 1860, Cooke's Royal Amphitheatre
played an engagement of five weeks, the principal performers
being the Hanlon Brothers, Ella Zoyara, James Robinson, Joe
Pentland, and W. Cooke. The Hanlons were at that time the
foremost gymnasts in the world, being bona fide brothers and

THE SEASON OF 1859-60

Fabbri

six in number, though William did not appear here at this time
owing to an injury from which he was suffering. Ella Zoyara
was in reality a man named Omar Kings-
ley, who mystified audiences all over the
world by appearing as a female rider.
The deception was kept up when he was
off the stage and it was a long time be-
fore the truth about his sex was made
public. Being a man, he could perform
feats impossible to women, and his
equestrianism often created a positive
furore. Two equestrian spectacles, "The
Field of the Cloth of Gold" and "The

Bronze Horse," were produced during this engagement. In

the middle of the last week the name
of the company was suddenly
changed to " Nixon's Troupe of
Equestrians, from Astley's Royal
Amphitheatre, London."

On April 23 "Evangeline," by
the author of " Geraldine," was pre-
sented, with Miss Bateman, "the
Renowned Child-Artiste," as the
star, and ran one week, the com-
pany including George Jordan, C.
Kemble Mason, H. Pearson, N. Da-
venport, T. S. Cline, Mrs. C. Hale,
and Dan Setchell.
Henry W. Fenno had a benefit on May 10, with these vol-
unteers: Mr. and Mrs. Henri Drayton, Wyzeman Marshall,

^j*

:*.

Kate Bateman

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Thomas Barry, David Hanchett, Fanny Mowbray, Dan
Setchell, J. P. Ordway, F. I. Kent,W. J. LeMoyne,E- Thomp-
son, N. T. Davenport, M. W. Fiske, L. F. Rand, Laura
LeClaire, W. H. Danvers, Oriana Marshall, F. S. Finn, Mrs.
Harwood, Mrs. Barry, Lizzie Emmons, J. C. Dunn, Mrs. Ma-
ria Rainforth, Prof. Harrington, Mrs. F. I. Kent, Mrs. Mar-
shall, C. F. Jones, Augusta LeClaire, Caroline Howard, O. H.
Chenery, F. C. Hudson, C. Eaton, G. Eaton, and F. Chaplin.
Lawrence Barrett, who was then billed as L. P. Barrett,
took a benefit on May 19, when " The Hunchback" and " The
Irish Captain" were played.

Beginning May 23 the Cortesi Italian Opera Company from
Havana gave six performances, the principals being Cortesi,
Gazzaniga, Phillips, Miss Montmorency, Signora Garofli,

Musiani, Tamaro, Amodio, Susini, Rubio,
Nanni, Barili, and Bellini.

On Tuesday, June 12, Mr. and Mrs. Henri
Drayton had a benefit, giving "Never De-
spair" and 'Love's Labour's Lost," the
Draytons playing all the parts in both
pieces. Seiior Oliviera, violinist, appeared
with them.

On June 20 the Cortesi Opera Company
reappeared for seven performances, the
artists at this time being Madame Fabbri,
Frezzolini, Phillips, Cortesi, Amodio, Musi-
ani, Barili, Rubio, and Bellini. The operas

Prof. Anderson, the
Wizard of the North

given were "Nabucodnosor," "Lucia," "Er-
nani," "Rigoletto," "II Trovatore," and
"SafTo."

THE SEASON OF 1859-60

Professor Anderson, " the Wizard of the North," a clever
magician, opened on July 4, and remained until August 3. For
the last three days of his stay he was seen as Rob Roy McGre-
gor in the opera of "Rob Roy." Brookhouse Bowler, Aynsley
Cook, and members of Professor Anderson's family sang in
his support, and the programme an-
nounced that "all the available dra-
matic talent in Boston had also been re-
tained," the company including Mr. Le-
Moyne, Mr. Sheridan, and Mr. Lennox.

The Cadet Zouaves, under the com-
mand of Colonel Ephraim Elmer Ells-
worth, an organization of young men
from Chicago who far outshone all other
military companies of that time in sol-
dierly appearance and perfection of drill,
gave exhibitions in the theatre on the
evening of July 24 and the forenoon of
July 25, 1860. Mr. Barry made a speech
at the performance of July 24 saying that Col. E. E. Ellsworth
the audience of that evening was the

largest which had ever assembled within the walls of the Bos-
ton Theatre. The service uniform of the Zouaves consisted of
small tasseled caps without visors, short embroidered jackets,
baggy short breeches, and high leggings over their shoes.
Louis James, afterward the leading man of the theatre, and
now a Shakespearian star, was a member of the Zouaves. Col-
onel Ellsworth was killed early in the Civil War at Alexandria,
Virginia, by a man named Jackson, from the flagpole of whose
house the Colonel had hauled down a Confederate banner.

CHAPTER IX

THE SEASON OF 1860-61

The season of 1860-61 was opened by the Ravels, who
occupied the theatre with their pantomimes for three
weeks, beginning on August 8.

Mr. and Mrs. Henri Drayton appeared on September 17, 19,
21, and 22, the two performers giving the entire entertainment
of sketches, impersonations, and songs.

A season of Italian opera lasting only one week began
October 1, the singers being Cortesi, Adelaide Phillips, Musi-

ani, Manni, and Amodio. The operas were
"II Poliuto," "The Barber of Seville," "II
Trovatore," and " La Traviata."

The great event of the season was the
grand ball given in the theatre on October
18 to the Prince of Wales, now King Ed-
ward VII of England. The decorations

The Prince of Wales

were more elaborate than ever before,

I860

and the Melodeon next door was used as
a supper-room, a door having been cut through the solid
brick wall to enable the dancers to reach the hall without
going into the open air. The Prince was a young man then,
with the same magnetism and charm of manner which have
made his popularity certain in every country that he has
visited. His coming at that time did a great deal toward
cementing the friendship between this country and Great

THE SEASON OF 1860-61

Britain, for it created a great good feeling, and the Prince of
AYales Ball is perhaps the most important event that has ever
taken place within the walls
of the Boston Theatre. While
the decorations were still in
position two promenade con-
certs were given on October
19 and 20.

On October 24 a Vox
Popnli Concert was given
under the management of
Henry C. Jarrett, this being
his first appearance at this
theatre, where he afterwards
became manager. A Vox

C. W. Couldock

Charlotte Cushman as Romeo

Popnli Concert was one at
which each person attending
had an opportunity to vote
for one of the rival candi-
dates for the presidency,
Abraham Lincoln and Ste-
phen A. Douglas.

Charlotte Cushman began
a four weeks' ensraffement on
November 28, being sup-

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ported by C. W. Couldock, John Gilbert, George Pauncefort,
Harry Pearson, Viola Crocker, Lizzie Emmons, Mrs. John
Gilbert, and Mrs. Thomas Barry. She played " Henry VIII,"
"The Stranger," "Simpson and Co.," "Guy Mannering,"

Isabella Hinckley

Stigelli

"Macbeth," and "Romeo and Juliet." At this time, in
addition to her customary female roles, she played Cardinal
Wolsey in 'Henry VIII" and Romeo in "Romeo and
Juliet."

Spaulding and Rogers's Circus opened on February 4,
1861, for four weeks, presenting the spectacle, "Tippoo
Saib," for two weeks, "The Merchant's Steed of Syracuse" for
the third, and "Mazeppa" for the fourth.

Another season of Italian opera began on March 11 and
lasted four weeks, the principals being Colson, Phillips,

THE SEASON OF 1860-61

*r-^

Isabella Hinckley, Kellogg, Brignoli, Susini, Stigelli, and

Barili. The operas were "Martha,"

"Lucia," "II Giuramento," "The

Masked Ball," "Ernani," "Linda,"

"Rigoletto," "The Jewess," "La Son-

nambula," "Don Giovanni," "The

Barber of Seville," and "I Puritani."

Clara Louise Kellofro; made her first

Boston appearance at this time, the

date being March 19, 1861, and the

opera, "Linda di Chamouni."

This was the shortest season the
theatre has ever known, as only six-
teen weeks in all were played, and the
doors closed on April 6. The approach-
ing war had probably much to do with
the condition of the business, as the

first gun of the Rebellion was fired only six days after the
final performance.

Clara Louise Kellogg

CHAPTER X

THE SEASON OF 1861-62

The season of 1861-62 opened with a company under the
management of James M. Nixon with Edwin Forrest
as a stock star, supported by John McCullough, Mark Smith,
J. H. Allen, Thomas Barry, Mrs. Farren, Mrs. Gladstane,
and Mrs. LeBrun. Mr. Forrest played but three or four times

Mark Smith

Julia Daly

each week, the intervening performances being given by Julia
Daly (Mrs. Wayne Ohvyne),a diaelct actress who played "The
Female American Cousin," " The Irish Emigrant Girl," etc.,

THE SEASON OF 1861-62

and by Seiiorita Cubas and Senor Xinienes, who appeared
with Miss Daly and in musical farces of their own. This
engagement lasted eight weeks,
during which time Mr. Forrest
was seen in "Damon and Py-
thias," "Hamlet," "King Lear,"
" Virginius," " Jack Cade," " Mac-
beth," "Pizarro," "The Gladi-
ator," " Metamora," " William
Tell," "Richard III," and "The
Lady of Lyons."

Henry W. Fenno had a benefit
on November 19, 1861, on which
occasion Thomas Barry played
Shylock in a scene from "The
Merchant of Venice," Mark Smith .^

Isabella Cubas

and other members of the com-
pany played 'The Old Guard,"
George Pauncefort and his pupil
Annie L.Brown were seen in "The
Little Treasure," Cubas and Xinie-
nes danced, and the Dyer Zouaves
of Roxbury gave an exhibition
drill.

Carlotta Patti was first heard here
in concert on the afternoon of No-
vember 6, 1 861 , other concerts being
given on the afternoon of the 9th

Carlotta Patti

THE BOSTON THEATRE

and the evening of the 10th. Harry Sanderson, the pianist,
was one of the supporting company.

Italian opera was heard the week of November 25, the
artists being Kellogg, Hinckley, Strakosch, Comte-Bochard,
Brignoli, Susini, and Dubreuil. On the evening of Novem-

Charles and Alexander Hermann George, William, and Alfred Hanlon

ber 28, 1861, it was announced that Captain Wilkes and the
officers of the San Jacinto had accepted an invitation and
would be at the opera that evening, the first appearance of
Madame Comte-Bochard. This was the time that Captain
Wilkes had brought to Boston for imprisonment in Fort
Warren the Confederate envoys, Mason and Slidell, whom

THE SEASON OF 1861-62

James W. Wallack

he had taken by force from a British vessel, the Trent, thereby
nearly forcing this country into war with England. For the
final Saturday matinee of the opera
it had been announced that the fourth
act of "II Trovatore" would be given,
together with the whole of "Lucrezia
Borgia" and of "Les Noces de Jean-
nette." On the day of the performance,
however, there was an apology in the
programme which stated that by mis-
take the music of the "Miserere" had
been sent to New York, and conse-
quently that selection could not be

given. This seems strange in these days when the musician
who did not know the " Miserere" by heart would be a
curiosity.

Hermann the magician came on December 2 and remained
three weeks. This was Charles, the uncle of the later-known

Alexander Hermann, who traveled
with him at that time as assistant.

Goodwin and Wilder 's Circus
opened on December 23 and played
two weeks with indifferent success,
it being a peculiar fact that a circus
performance on a stage has never
drawn well in Boston, although a
circus in its own tents is a most
powerful magnet.

On January 13, 1862, the same
company presented The Cataract

Joseph Jefferson

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Mme. Varian

of the Ganges," having as an added attraction the Hanlon

Brothers, George, William, and Alfred, who were featuring

William Hanlon in Zampillaerostation.
This elongated word was coined by
James Lingard, the manager of the
Bowery Theatre, New York, and simply
means a performance on the flying tra-
peze. The grace and dash of Mr. Han-
lon in this wonderful act, which was then
entirely new, created a marked sensa-
tion at the time. As no net was used
beneath the trapeze, the danger was
much greater than nowadays, and the

fearlessness of the handsome young athlete added decidedly

to the attraction of the feats.

Henry C. Jarrett brought from New York a wonderful

coterie of artists who had been

playing at the Winter Garden.

They opened on February 17,

1862, and remained two weeks.

The leading actors were William

Wheatley, J. W. Wallack, E. L.

Davenport, Mark Smith, Thos.

Placide, Mrs. Barrow, Julia Irv-
ing, Agnes Cameron, Mrs. J. W.

Wallack, Mrs. Barry, and Mrs.

Vincent. For the second week

J. H. Hackett was added to the

company. The plays were "The

School for Scandal," "London

John McCullough

THE SEASON OF 1861-62

Charles Barron

Assurance," "Julius Csesar," "Hamlet," "Jane Shore," "The

Dramatist," "Werner," "Black-Eyed Susan," "Wild Oats,"

"Henry IV," "The Rivals," "The Merry

Wives of Windsor," "Perfection," and

"Speed the Plough." On March 3 John

E. Owens played Solon Shingle in "The

Peoples Lawyer."

Italian opera was heard for the fort-
night beginning March 31, with concerts
on Sundays, April 6 and 13. The princi-
pals were Kellogg, Elena D'Angri, Hinck-
ley, Mine. Varian, Brignoli, Susini, Ypolito, Barili, Cubas,
and Ximenes. There were no novelties in their repertoire.
On April 21, Henry C. Jarrett brought another remarkable

company for a four weeks' stay,
including John Gilbert, Wil-
liam Wheatley, E. L. Daven-
port, John E. Owens, G. C.
Boniface, L. R. Shewell, Chas.
Barron, Ed. Lamb, Mrs. W.
C. Gladstane, Emma Taylor,
Mary Wells, Mrs. Skerritt, and
Mrs. George Ryer. This com-
pany was seen in comedy only,
the offerings being 'The Ri-
vals," " Money," "The Heir at
Law," " The Poor Gentleman,"
"Wild Oats," "London Assur-
ance," "A Cure for the Heart-
ache," "Speed the Plough,"

Adah Isaacs Menken and Alexandre
Dumas

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"The Inconstant," "The Toodles," "Married Life," "Black-
Eyed Susan," "The School for Scandal," "She Stoops to Con-
quer," "The Happiest Day of My Life," "Mr. and Mrs.
Lillywhite," " The Serious Family," " Sweethearts and Wives,"
"The Love Chase," "The Rough Diamond," "The Tragedy
Rehearsed," 'The Hunchback," and "The Road to Ruin."

Mrs. Barrow was added to the com-
fr-/% p an y on May (i -

% On May 21 " Macbeth ' ' was played

by the Avon Dramatic Club, assist-
ed by Mrs. Farren, for the benefit of
the Massachusetts Soldiers' Fund.
The title role was taken by James
Bogle, proprietor of a local hair-
dressing establishment and manufac-
turer of Bogle's Hyperion Fluid.

For Thomas Comer's benefit, on
June 20, "The Poor Gentleman"
and 'The Loan of a Lover" were
played.

Henry W. Fenno, the former treas-
urer, died during this season and a
benefit was given on July 30, 1862, for his widow and children.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Barry and G. G. Spear presented "The
Victor Vanquished " ; an elegiac address, written by B. P. Shil-
laber, was read by W. H. Smith; "Delicate Ground" was
played by E. F. Keach, J. A. Smith, and Lizzie Emmons;
Adah Isaacs Menken was seen in "Lola Montez, or Catch-
ing a Governor," in which she danced a pas seul from "La
Giselle " ; Professor Harrington ventriloquized ; James Pilgrim

Adah Isaacs Menken

THE SEASON OF 1861-62

offered "The Limerick Boy"; and musical and terpsichorean
artists filled out the bill. This was the only appearance of
Adah Isaacs Menken in the Boston Theatre. She was born
of French and Spanish parents in New Orleans in 1835, her
maiden name beino- Dolores Adios Fuertes. She first married
Alexander Isaacs Menken, a musician, her successive hus-
bands being John C. Heenan, the prize-fighter, R. H. Newell,
the humorist (Orpheus C. Kerr), and James Barclay. She had
a brilliant and varied career, both here and in Europe, where
she fascinated Alexandre Dumas, the French novelist. She
wrote a book of poems entitled "Infelicia" and died in Paris,
where she lies in the Jewish cemetery at Montparnasse, the
inscription on her tombstone at her own request being "Thou
Knowest."

Thomas Comer

CHAPTER XI

THE SEASON OF 1862-63

At the beginning of the season of 1862-63 J. M. Nixon
was billed as manager, the opening attraction being the
Ravel Family, who were featuring " Young America " in a flying
trapeze performance, their stay being for three weeks. " Young
America" was a pretty and daring youngster, whose real name

was John H. Haslam. By one of those
strange turns of the wheel in theatrical
life, he has been for several years asso-
ciated with the Hanlon Brothers as
stage-manager and pantomimist, so that
the first and second exponents in Amer-
ica of the flying trapeze afterward be-
came business associates. The Ravels
were supported by a small dramatic com-
pany, consisting of Thomas Placide,
G. G. Spear, I. L. Barrett, H. Lam pee,
Mrs. Barry, Viola Crocker, Mrs. Flood,
and Mrs. Nourse.

Italian opera, with Carlotta Patti, Bor-
chard, Strakosch, Brignoli, Amodio, and Dubreuil, filled the
week of October 6, the operas being " Lucia," 'II Trovatore,"
* La Sonnambula," 'Lucrezia Borgia," and "I Puritani."

Thomas Comer had a benefit on October 17, 1862, when
among other attractions Abijah L. Thayer offered banjo and

" Young America "
Master John Haslam

THE SEASON OF 1862-63

William Rufus Blake

vocal eccentricities, "for this time only under anv circum-

stances, and for the first time in seven years."

On November 24, 1862, Edwin Booth returned to Boston

after his European sojourn and

began a four weeks' engage-
ment, a company having been

engaged for him by Orlando

Tompkins, who thus began his

first connection with theatrical

business, although he had been

previously a stockholder in the

corporation. The name of the

establishment was changed back

to the Boston Theatre, which

name it has fortunately retained

until the present day, with the exception of the six weeks' run

of the Grand Opera Company in
February and March, 1863, when
it was again called the Academy of
Music. Edwin Booth's company
included W. H. Smith, H. F. Daly,
J. J. Prior, J. W. Lanergan, Owen
Marlowe, Chas. Walcott, Jr., T. E.
Owens, Wilkins, Davis, Browne,
Russell, Arthur, Keene, Everett,
Francis, Mrs. Julia Bennett Bar-
row, Emily Mestayer, Mrs. Flor-
ence, Minnie Foster, and Miss
Anderson. The plays were "Ham-
let," "Othello," "Romeo and Ju-
97

Sam Emery

THE BOSTON THEATRE

liet," "Richelieu," "The Lady of Lyons," "The Merchant of
Venice," " Katharine and Petruchio," 'The Apostate," 'The

Iron Chest," "Richard III,"
"Much Ado About Nothing,"
and "Don Caesar de Bazan."

Edwin Forrest followed on
December 22 for two weeks,
J. H. Hackett playing Falstaff in
"Henry IV" and "The Merry
Wives of Windsor" at the per-
formances when Mr. Forrest did
not appear. The company com-
prised John McCullough, Wil-
liam W 7 heatley, George Becks, J.
G. Burnett, J. Taylor, J. W. Col-
lier, W. H. Leake, Germon, Post,
Cartland, Mrs. H. P. Grattan,
Kingsland, Carroll, Sinclair,
Miss Clara Day, Mrs. J. II. Allen, Madame Ponisi, and Mrs.
LeBrun. Forrest's plays were "Jack Cade," "Metamora,"
"The Gladiator," "Richelieu," "The
Broker of Bogota," "Richard III,"
"Macbeth," and "King Lear."

The Grau Italian Opera Company
began on February 9 a six weeks' en-
gagement, during which for the last
times the theatre was called the Aca-
demy of Music. The principals were
Kellogg, Lorini, Moreni, Cordier, Stra-
kosch, Brignoli, Susini, Amodio, Mac-

Wyzeman Marshall

m *k

Madame Anna Bishop

THE SEASON OF 1862-63

caferri, and Stockton. : 'Dinorah' : had its first Boston pro-
duction on February 12, 1863, with Angelina Cordier as prima,
donna. Rossini's " Stabat Mater" was brought out on Sun-
day, March 1.

Wyzeman Marshall became manager of the theatre on
Monday, March 23, 1863, his first venture being Paid Juig-
net's Company of French Comedians who stayed one week,
presenting during that time
"Camille," "La Joie Fait
Peur," "Le Portier," "Le
Piano de Berthe," "Margot,"
"La Pluie et le Bean Temps,"
"La Rose de St. Fleur," "Le
Feu au Couvent," "Pascal et
Chambord/ , "Risotte le Mil-
lionaire," "Une Caprice," and
"La Corde Sensible." The
business done by this attrac-
tion was the smallest ever
known in this theatre, a mati-
nee drawing but $12.50.

The Hernandez -Ravel
Troupe followed on March 30 for three weeks. There were
in reality no Ravels in this company, which was headed by
A. M. Hernandez, a skilled guitar-player and clown, who at
times played on fourteen different instruments. The other
members were Mile. Galetti, Marietta Zanfretta, Marietta
Ravel, Misses J. and M. A. Lehman, Tophoff, A. Grossi,
F. Siegrist, A. Lehman, Henry Moreni, and J. C. Franklin.

Carl Zerrahn gave a concert on Sunday, April 12.

Carl Zerrahn

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Madame Anna Bishop and Gilmore's Band were heard on
April 19.

Mrs. Barrow's " Great Comedy Combination" opened on

April 20, 1863, and remained
two weeks, playing "Town
and Country," 'The Rough
Diamond," 'The School for
Scandal," "Money," "Speed
the Plough," "The Rivals,"
^ " The Lottery Ticket," " Lon-
don Assurance," " Wild Oats,"
"Uncle Frizzle," "John Bull,"
"Don Caesar de Bazan," " She
Stoops to Conquer," "The
Stranger," and 'The Won-
der." The company consisted
of Mrs. Barrow, Mary Carr,
Mrs. Sedley Brown, Rachel Johnson, Mrs. E. L. Davenport,
Mrs. H. Chapman, Mrs. Biddies, Miss M. Newton, George
Vandenhoff, William Rufus Blake, Sam
Emery, F. E. Aiken, William Scallan, W.
J. LeMoyne, J. Duff, W. H. Curtis, J.
Biddies, N. D. Jones, Parker, and Wyatt.
William Rufus Blake died suddenly dur-
ing this engagement, his last role being Sir
Peter Teazle on April 21, 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence began a
two weeks' engagement on May 4, present-
ing "Dombey and Son," "Mischievous Annie," "The Young
Actress," "Shandy Maguire," "A Lesson for Husbands,"

100

W. J. LeMoyne

,< ""?>j

Mrs. D. P. Bowers

THE SEASON OF 1862-63

Gottschalk

"The Knight of Arva," 'Temptation," 'The Returned Vol-
unteer," "Thrice Married," and 'The Poor of Ireland."
"The Colleen Bawn" received its first
Boston presentation on May 11, 1863,
with W. J. Florence as Myles na Coppa-
leen. As the Florences were compelled by
previous engagements to leave the city,
and as the play had made a great success,
it was continued the week of May 18,
with William Wheatley as Myles.

Gottschalk the pianist appeared in con-
cert on Sunday, May 10.

Mrs. D. P. Bowers commenced a three weeks' engagement
on May 25, playing " The Mystery of Audley Court" all of the

first week, the other two being given up
to "The Hunchback," "Plot and Pas-
sion," 'Love's Sacrifice," "The Lady
of Lyons," "The Stranger," ' Lucretia
Borgia," 'Ingomar," "Katharine and
Petruchio," and "Camille."

Emily Thorne was seen the week of
June 15 in "The Little Treasure," "The
Governor's Wife," " The Daughter of the
Regiment," "Nine Points of the Law,"
and "The Unequal Match." On June
16 she also appeared as the Goddess of
Liberty and sang " Shout for our Glo-
rious Banner," with words by Charles
Gayler and music by Mollenhauer. Miss

Emily Thorne as the God-
dess of Liberty

Thorne was a daughter of Charles R.

101

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Thome, Sr. She first married George Jordan, the actor, and
afterward John Chamberlin, the hotel proprietor of Washing-
ton and Old Point Comfort. She was a beautiful woman, ;ood
looks being a not uncommon attribute in the Thorne family.

On June 22, 1863, Wyzenian Marshall had a benefit, when
among other attractions were seen the Young Campbell Min-
strels. This was a semi-amateur organization, whose members
played under assumed names. One of the end men was called
Billy Train, but he has since become famous as William H.
Crane, the well-known comedian. Another member is now
A. B. White, for several years past the manager of Austin and
Stone's Museum in Boston. A third one was Charley Sutton,
who, after a successful career as a black-faced comedian,
became Hugo Bunth and originated the grotesque team of
Bunth and Rudd, who set all Europe and America laughing at
their eccentricities.

CHAPTER XII

THE SEASON OF 1863-64

Mrs. W. J. Florence

W. J. Florence

For the season of 1863-64 Wyzeman Marshall was the man-
ager, with J. G. Hanley for stage-manager, and the fol-
lowing company : W. H. Curtis, N. T. Davenport, Alvin Read,

C. M. Davis, F. O.

Savage, F. C. Baker,

J. L. Sandford, W. H.

Whalley, William Scal-

lan, William Jeffries,

J. Biddies, E. Barry,

J. Taylor, C. Somer-

ville, W. H. Hamblin,

T. Chandler, E. W.

Beattie, James McCoy,
E. Burton, T. Preston, W. Hudson, Master Swindlehurst,
Anna Cowell, Mrs. Stoneall, Mrs. N. T. Davenport, Mrs. J.
Biddies, Mrs. F. S. Chanfrau, Mrs. Sylvester, Misses E. Hall,
Blanche Gray, E. Johnson, Sylvester, Malvina, Amelia, Ell-
wood, Swindlehurst, Florence, Lees, and Kendrick. F. Suck
was leader of the orchestra, Charles Witham, scenic artist,
and John M. Ward, ticket-agent. James H. Hackett was the
first star. In his one-week engagement, beginning August 24,
1863, he was seen in "Henry IV," "The Merry Wives of
Windsor," "Rip Van Winkle," and "Monsieur Mallet."
Mr. and Mrs. Florence followed for four weeks of their

103

THE BOSTON THEATRE

repertoire, the play for the week of August 31 being "The

Death Fetch," in which was intro-
duced the famous Ghost Illusion for
the first time in America. Their cus-
tomary repertoire followed for the
other three weeks.

On Saturday evening, September
26, 1863, Charlotte Cushman and
Joseph Proctor played in " Macbeth"
for the benefit of the Sanitary Com-
mission.

Isabella Cubas, supported by W.

H. Edgar, followed for another four

weeks, opening on September 28 in

' The French Spy." They also pre-

" The

Daniel E. Bandmann

sented ' Narramatta,'
Wizard Skiff," and "The Fly-
ing Dutchman," Cubas playing
Vanderdecken in the last-named
piece, a character that is now
exclusively acted by men.

Daniel E. Bandmann made
his Boston debut on Saturday
evening, October 24, 1863, as
Shylock in ''The Merchant of
Venice," for one night only.

Edwin Booth began on Octo-
ber 28 a five weeks' engagement
in his customary tragic reper-
toire.

Camilla Urso

104

THE SEASON OF 1863-64

Camilla Urso, the young violinist, made her appearance in
concert on Sunday, November 6.

Maggie Mitchell's first appearance in this theatre took place
on Monday, November 30, 1863, when
she began an engagement of five
weeks, presenting " Fanchon," " Mar-
got," "Little Barefoot," "The Pearl
of Savoy," "Petite Marie," and
"Katty O'Sheal." "Petite Marie"
was written for her by a Boston gen-
tleman and was played on December
28 and 29, and apparently never again.

Italian opera opened on January 4,
1864, with a performance of "lone,
or the Last Days of Pompeii, " which
was then seen for the first time here.
The company included Kellogg,
Medori, Stockton, Sulzer, Mazzolini,

Biachi, Bellini, and Lotti. Among other novelties "Faust
was first seen here on January 14, 1864. with this cast:

Maggie Mitchell

Marguerite

Siebel

Martha

Faust

Mephistopheles

Valentine

Clara Louise Kellogg.

Henrietta Sulzer.

Fannie Stockton.

Mazzolini.

Biachi.

Bellini.

There was a full military band on the stage, and the orches-
tra was enlarged by the addition of the Mendelssohn Quintette
Club and other musicians.

Edwin Forrest opened on February 1 for six weeks of his

105

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Mazzolini

repertoire, the performances on the off -nights being given by

Daniel E. Bandmann, who presented
" The Merchant of Venice," " Narcisse,"
"Othello," "Hamlet," and "Richelieu."
Madame Methua Schiller, supported
by John McCullough and Mr. For-
rest's company, played " Lorlie's Wed-
ding" on March 2 and 5.

On Saturday evening, March 12,
1864, Count Joannes was seen in
"Hamlet," supported by the Count-
ess Joannes (Melinda Jones) and the
Forrest company. He was an actor whose true name was
George Jones. Though at first a man of much promise,
he developed eccentricities which later caused him to be
laughed at and guyed unmercifully
whenever he appeared. His wife was
an actress of much power. Their daugh-
ter, Avonia Jones, married the English
tragedian, G. V. Brooke.

The Italian Opera Company re-
turned on March 14, with the same
artists as before. On March 22 Laura
Harris made her debut in "Lucia."
Brignoli and Hermanns also joined the
company, which remained two weeks.
Vestvali opened in " Gamea, or the
Jewish Mother," on March 30 and re-
mained three weeks, playing also "The

Duke's Motto" and "Lucretia Boro-ia."

Mme. Methua Schiller

10(5

THE SEASON OF 1863-64

Count Joannes

Marie Zoe, the Cuban Sylph, began a fortnight's engage-
ment on April 18, playing "The French Spy," 'The Wizard
Skiff,'" and "Esmeralda." Dur-
ing her engagement " The Broken
Sword" was twice used as an af-
terpiece. It was in this play that
the expression "Chestnut" orig-
inated. One of the characters
tells a story about something
which happened under a chest-
nut tree. During the course of
the play he repeats this story
several times, each time making
it a different species of tree, such
as walnut, maple, etc., and each
time he is corrected by an oppo-
site character, who interrupts him with " Chestnut." In this

manner it came about that "Chest-
nut" meant an oft-told story. Its use
was confined to the theatrical profession
for fully twenty years, but it was eventu-
ally adopted by the general public and
CiS0^y it has now taken its position among re-

cognized American slang words.

Grand opera in German began a two

weeks' season on May 2, the artists be-

Hermanns m g Johannsen, Frederici, Canissa, Him-

mer, Habelmann, Hermanns, and Stein-

icke. This was before the days of the Wagner vogue and

the German repertoire was much the same as the Italian,

107

THE BOSTON THEATRE

" Martha," " La Dame Blanche," " Faust," " Der Freischlitz,"
"The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Stradella," "Don Juan,"

and "Fidelio" being sung.

Maggie Mitchell played a
second engagement, opening on
May 16 and remaining four
weeks.

On Wednesday evening, June
22, 1864, P. S. Gilmore began a
series of promenade concerts, the
music for which was to be fur-
nished by Gilmore's Band and
a large orchestra, his intention
being to continue the concerts
throughout the summer, the ad-
mission being twenty-five cents,
or five tickets for one dollar.
On Monday, June 27, the newspapers contained the follow-
ing advertisement :

Marie Zoe, the Cuban Sylph

NOTICE

No concert will be given at the Boston Theatre this even-
ing. A card from the management will appear to-morrow.

On Tuesday the amusement columns of the dailies had this
notice :

GILMORE'S PROMENADE CONCERTS

Card from Mr. Gilmore. The Musicians' Union having held
a meeting on Sunday last, the principal object of which was to

108

THE SEASON OF 1863-64

P. S. (iilmore

regulate a price for their services at promenade concerts, and
by the action of that body a larger sum being demanded
than any manager can well afford to
pay, the undersigned regrets that he
is compelled for the present to aban-
don his intention of giving promen-
ade concerts every evening during
the summer months and to adopt
the plan of giving entertainments at
such times only as he can offer such
irresistible attractions as will give pro-
mise of sufficient patronage to enable
him to meet the increased demands of
musicians and all others whose services he may require. He
is now endeavoring to effect an arrangement with parties
whose appearance cannot fail to create a sensation, and
trusts that he may be enabled to make a more definite an-
nouncement in a few days.
P. S. Gilmore.

This was not the only time in
the history of the theatre when
an engagement was brought to
a sudden end by the excessive
demands of the musicians. His-
tory repeated itself in Decem-
ber, 1896, when the orchestra
of the Imperial Opera Com-
pany caused the theatre to be
closed, thus throwing themselves

109

Major Pauline Cushman

THE BOSTON THEATRE

and many others out of employment. On neither occasion
were they accorded the sympathy of the theatre-going public.

Having secured the
services of Major Pauline
Cushman, a lady who had
won fame as a spy for
the Northern army in the
South, Mr. Gilmore be-
gan on July 11 another
engagement, which lasted
two weeks. In addition to
the concerts by Gilmore 's
Band, Major Cushman
delivered short lectures
on her war experiences,
including a court-martial
and sentence to death, which was happily averted by her
escape to the Union lines. Dan Simpson and Si Smith, the
veteran drummer and fifer of the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery Company, also appeared, as did Georgie Dean
Spaulding, the harpist.

Si Smith and Dan Simpson

CHAPTER XIII

THE SEASON OF 1864-65

Beginning with the season of 1864-65, the real managers
of the Boston Theatre were Benjamin W. Thayer and
Orlando Tompkins, although it was not until 1873 that the
firm name of Thayer and Tompkins was placed at the head
of the play-bills. Their first acting manager was Henry C.
Jarrett, who retained the position for two years, being fol-
lowed by Edwin Booth and John S. Clarke for one year, who
in their turn were succeeded by Junius Brutus Booth, Jr.,
who remained six years. When Mr. Shewell was engaged,
the heading of the programme read, ' Thayer and Tomp-
kins, Proprietors. - - L. R. Shewell, Manager." It is worthy
of note that, although the theatre had seen some years of
disheartening; business before the ad-
vent of Messrs. Thayer and Tomp-
kins, it has never had a losing season
from 1864 to the present time. This
is a record that is very difficult to equal
anywhere in the world.

The company for 1864-65 included
E. L. Davenport and J. W. Wallack
as stock stars, other members being
George H. Clarke, Benjamin G. Rog-
ers, J. M. Dawson, George Karnes,
George Clair, Shirley France, C. H.

ill

George H. Clarke

James E. Murdoch

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Wilson, Rose Eytinge, Rachel Noah, Minnie Monk, Ada
Monk, Annie L. Brown, Mrs. Marshall, and Harriet Orton.

The dramatic season began on August
?' with the regular company support-
ixig Messrs. Davenport and Wallack in
"The Lady of the Lake," which was fol-
lowed by "Hamlet," "The Iron Mask,"
"Macbeth," "Amasis, or the Last of the
Pharaohs," "Richard III," "Still Wa-
ters Run Deep," 'The Forty Thieves,"
"The King of the Commons," "Oliver
Twist," "St. Marc," "Black-Eyed Su-
san," and "The Honeymoon."
Leonard Grover's German Opera Company began a four
weeks' season on October 10, with Johannsen, Frederici,
Rotter, Formes, Habelman, Hermanns,
and Tamaso.

On Sunday evening, October 23,
the oratorio of "Moses in Egypt"
was presented.

On the afternoon of October 27 a
benefit was given to Morris Brothers,
Pell, and Trowbridge, whose min-
strels had been burned out of their
own house. Buckley's Serena/ ir -, a
rival organization, were among the
first volunteers for the benefit.

On November 7 the National Sail-
ors' Fair took possession of the theatre, the auditorium being-
floored over as for a ball. A door was cut through to the

Bellini

112

THE SEASON OF 1864-65

Melodeon and permission was obtained from the proprietors
of the Boston Theatre to have theatrical entertainments given
in that hall during the continua-
tion of the fair.

Mrs. D. P. Bowers appeared for
three weeks, commencing Novem-
ber 24, in her repertoire, to which
she had added "East Lynne" and
"The Jewess of Madrid."

On December 12, 1864, and for
the following three weeks the Wil-
liam Warren Comedy Company,
in which were William Warren,
Charles Barron, Emily Mestayer,

Rachel Noah as the Naiad Queen

William Warren

Josie Orton, and others, played
a long list of comedies and
farces. They also returned
on May 29, 1865, for another
fortnight.

James E. Murdoch, the
tragedian, gave dramatic and
patrio ' readings on six suc-
cessive Sunday evenings, be-
ginning December 26, 1864.

The only engagement of
Italian opera was one of four

113

THE BOSTON THEATRE

and a half weeks, which opened on January 2, the principals
being Carozzi-Zucchi, Kellogg, Morenzi, Lotti, Snsini, Massi-

miliani, Bellini, and Jennie
Van Zandt . "Don Sebastian
was the only new opera.

"Enoch Arden" was pro-
duced on February 1, with
J. W. Wallack as Enoch Ar-
den and E. L. Davenport as
Philip Ray.

A spectacular production
of "The Naiad Queen" was
given on February 7 and
continued until March 11,
with William Gomersal as
Schnapps, Mrs. Gomersal in
the soubrette role, and Rachel
Noah as the Queen.

For the weeks of March 13
and 20 Laura Keene played "The Workmen of Boston" and
"Our American Cousin." It was in the latter play that the
same star was appearing three weeks later at Ford's Theatre
in Washington, when President Lincoln was assassinated in
a private box in the theatre by John Wilkes Booth.

Edwin Booth commenced here, on March 29, an engage-
ment which was cut short on April 14 by the assassination of
Lincoln by the tragedian's brother. On that historical evening
Mr. Booth was seen in 'The Iron Chest" and "Don Caesar de
Bazan," and without having heard of the sad tragedy had
retired for the night in his room at the home of Orlando

Laura Keene

114

THE SEASON OF 1864-65

Tompkins in Franklin Square,

where lie was visiting at the

time. On the following morn-
ing his colored valet, an old

family servant, greeted him

with, "Have you heard the

news, Massa Edwin ? Presid-
ent Lincoln done been shot

and killed." "Great God!"

said the horrified tragedian,

"who did that ?" "Well, they

done say Massa John did it,"

replied the negro. And in this

wise was America's greatest

actor informed of the tragedy

which was to cast so deep a

gloom over his life for years

to come. Fearing that the

public might be incensed against Mr. Booth on account of

his brother's crime, Mr. Tompkins
immediately had his house draped in
mourning for the martyred president,
and that same afternoon he accom-
panied the actor on the train to New
York, whither he was hastening to
comfort his grief-stricken mother,
who resided in that city. Mr. Jarrett
ordered the theatre draped in black,
and issued an address to the public,
exonerating the actor from any know-

115

Henry C. Jarrett

Rev. George H. Hepworth

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Jennie Van Zandt

ledge of the conspiracy. This address was supplemented

by a letter from the Reverend
George H. Hepworth, who was
an intimate friend of Edwin
Booth, and who knew of the
great respect and admiration the
tragedian always held for Abra-
ham Lincoln.

The theatre remained closed
until April 20, when Mr. and
Mrs. Barney Williams began an
engagement of two and a half
weeks in their repertoire of Irish
and Yankee plays.

Mrs. D. P. Bowers then played
three weeks in her usual roles,
with Charles Barron for her lead-
ing support. A dramatization of
Oliver Wendell Holmes's "Elsie
Venner" was presented for the
last week of the engagement,
which closed on May 27.

On Saturday evening, May 20,
1865, Frank Dwight Denny, a
local amateur, gave a praise-
worthy rendition of the title
role in "Hamlet," supported by
the regular company. He ap-
peared again the following sea-
son and was confidently expected

116

Josephine Orton

THE SEASON OF 1864-65

by his friends to win a name on the stage, but his early promise
was unfulfilled, and he did not long remain upon the boards.

The William Warren Comedy Company appeared for two
weeks beginning May 29, presenting comedies and farces,
with Carrie Augusta Moore, the Concord Skater, doing her
specialty between the pieces.

Thursday, June 1, 1865, having been appointed by the
Governor as a Day of Fasting and Prayer, the occasion was
celebrated in the theatre by the recitation by Rachel Noah of
a Monody written by W. T. W. Ball, on the Death of Abraham
Lincoln. The remainder of the evening's bill consisted of
"Paul Pry" and "Grimshaw, Bagshaw, and Bradshaw," with
Miss Moore in her skating act between the plays.

The week of June 12 was devoted to benefits.

Gilmore's Band was heard on Sunday evening, June 18,
and the Highland Cadets of Worcester gave exhibition drills
on the afternoon and evening of June 21, thus ending the
season of 186-1-65.

CHAPTER XIV

THE SEASON OF 1865-66

The season of 1865-66 saw a company that was new in
many of its members. Frank Mayo was the leading man,
his colleagues be- ing Ben G.Rogers,
George Clair, Wil- ^jj l^v liam Gomersal, J.
,1. Wallace 1). B. > 1 Wk Wylie, Charles T.
Parsloe, Frank <W' Holland, C. H.
Frye, William ^ * Scallan,W.H.
Collings, II. L. ^^^t^ ; ^tafe Bascombe, T. II.
Burns, H. Peakes, W \ 1 % J- Peakes, S. H.
Forsberg, Horace \. %M W Frail, C. H. Wil-
son, H. Sanford, V ^r T. C. Howard,
Shirley France, J. ^^ P. Reynolds, J. R.
ScottJ .H.Browne, Frank Mayo Russell Clarke,

Charles T. Parsloe

W. P. Prescott,
Machinist for 35 years

118

Boston Theatre Company, 1865-66

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Rachel Noah, Mrs. Howard Rogers, Mrs. Gomersal, Mrs.
E. L. Davenport, Miss Harding, Mrs. Browne, and Jennie
Kimball. Fanny Davenport was seen at times during the
season in minor roles, and Louis Aldrich joined the com-
pany in March. Charles Koppitz conducted a noteworthy
orchestra, which numbered among its members Arbuckle, the

It.

Fanny Davenport

cornetist, and Wulf Fries, the violoncellist. Frank Holland
and Jennie Kimball of this company were married during
the year.

The season began on August 28 with ''The Streets of New
York" for four weeks, Frank Mayo playing Tom Badger and
Charles T. Parsloe, Bob the Bootblack.

On Monday, September 18, four stage-hands were dis-
charged "for refusing to work under a bloody Englishman,"
Henry Rough being the machinist at that time.

Charles Kean and his wife, who was formerly Miss Ellen

THE SEASON OF 1865-66

Tree, opened on September 25 in 'Henry VIII" and "The
Jealous Wife." During their fortnight's stay thev were also
seen in " Macbeth," " Louis XI,"
"The Merchant of Venice,"
"King Lear," and "Hamlet."

Maggie Mitchell was the next
star, remaining four weeks and
playing her usual repertoire.

On November 6 "Arrah na
Pogue" was brought out for a
four weeks' run, Frank Mayo
essaying the role of Shaun, the
Post, Frank Hardenberg play-
ing Major O'Grady, Rachel
Noah, Arrah Meelish, and R.
M. Carroll, Biddy O'Neil, with
a barn-door jig.

December 4 was the opening
night of the spectacular produc-
tion of the season, "The Ice Witch," in which Fanny
Davenport was seen in the title role. The complete cast was
as follows :

Bosisio

THE ICE WITCH

Harold

Magnus Snoro

Gruthioff

Edric

Tycho

Sterno

Priest

Frank Mayo.
William Gomersal.
Shirley France.
Thomas H. Burns.
James Peakes.
Harold Forsberg.
Henrv Peakes.

121

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Sweno

Runic

Aldric

Officer

Lady Ulla

Minna

Edda

Elga

Fuina

Hilda

Druida

Freya

Hecla

Urfred

Noma

Felda

Solden

The Ice Imp

Luke

Thrysa

Dancing Spirits

W. H. Collings.
C. H. Wilson.

S. Clarke.

J. Scott.

Jennie Anderson.

Mrs. Gomersal.

Mrs. Browne.

Miss Winslow.

Miss Byron.

Miss Davenport.

Fanny Davenport.

Kate Sidney.

Jennie Kimball.

Miss Browne.

Mrs. Lothian.

Miss Smith.

Miss Floyd.

Hernandez Foster.

T. C. Howard.

Horace Frail.

Millie and Clara Fowler.

During the week of January 8, Frank D wight Denny was
seen in "Hamlet," 'Romeo and Juliet," and "Richard III."

On January 15 an Italian opera season of two weeks was
begun, with Carozzi-Zucehi, Kellogg, Bosisio, Phillips, Irfre,
Rossi, Mazzolini, Bellini, Barili, Massimiliani, and Antonucci
in the leading parts. This was followed by one week of Ger-
man opera in which were heard Johannsen, Rotter, E. Naddi,
Hermanns, Habelmann, Himmer, and Pierre Bernard.

Beginning February 5, 1866, Caroline Richings sang one
week in 'The Enchantress," supported by Peter Richings
and the regular company of the theatre.

122

THE SEASON OF 1865-66

From February 12 to March 3, inclusive, the Ravel Family
were seen in their pantomimes.

Mr. and Mr. Charles Kean

Peter Richings and Caroline Richings

A Grand State Military Ball was given on the evening of
March 5.

Kate Bateman opened on March 7,
1866, in "Leah," in which she had

the support of John
C. Cowper and of
Louis Aldrich, who
on that occasion
r ^^/t^ made his first ap-
rfT / h pearance in the Bos-
ton Theatre, hav-
ing recently arrived
from California.

John C. Cowper

Louis Aldrich

123

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Leah" ran almost three weeks and was followed by one week

of Miss Bateman's repertoire,

'Romeo and Juliet,"
Lady of Lyons," and

" The
" Fa-

zio.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean
were again seen on April 2,
and remained until April 10,
when Mr. Kean was taken ill
and was compelled to discon-
tinue playing. The regular
company continued through
the remainder of the week,
presenting legitimate dramas.

On April 14 H. A. M'Glenen

H. A. M'Glenen

had a benefit, at which appeared,
among other attractions, Lon Mor-
ris and Eph Horn, negro minstrels
who were great local favorites, the
Peakes brothers in duets, and Chas.
Koppitz and M. Arbuckle in instru-
mental solos.

"The Streets of New York" was
revived April 16 and ran two weeks.

D. J. Atwood, a tailor well known
in the city, made his first appearance
on any stage on the evening of May

124

Eph Horn

THE SEASON OF 1865-66

1, 1866, in the role of the crook-backed tyrant, Richard III.

The audience de-
rived much pleasure
from his persona-
tion, but did not be-
have in the most or-
derly manner. His
success was not suf-
ficiently complete to
encourage him to
adopt the stage as
a profession.

John E. Owens
next played a nine
days' engagement in
"Solon Shingle,"
" The Happiest Day
of My Life," and

"The Live Indian," closing May 12, being followed by three

weeks of Maggie Mitchell in her well-

liked plays.

On Saturday evening, May 19,

1866, Joseph Proctor was seen as

the Jibbenainosay in "Nick of the

Woods," an extremely melodramatic

role, which his talent was able to lift

to the verge of tragedy, when less

gifted actors might have seemed

ridiculous in the part.

Lucille Western came on June 11 Charles Koppitz

Joseph Pi'octor as the
Jibbenainosay

John E. Owens as Solon
Shingle

125

THE BOSTON THEATRE

for three weeks, being seen in " East Lynne," ' The Stranger,"
"Macbeth," "Jane Shore," and "Oliver Twist." She was
supported by E. L. Davenport and J. W. Wallack, and their

rendering of the last-named
play stands in theatrical his-
tory as one of the most dramat-
ically horrifying performances
ever seen on any stage. Miss
Western was the Nancy Sykes,
Wallackthe Fagin, and Daven-
port the Bill Sykes. The mur-
der scene sent ladies in the
audience into fainting fits and
drove strong men from the
theatre, unable to endure any
longer the effect of their terri-
bly natural acting. The season
closed on June 29 with a per-
formance of "The Man with
the Iron Mask," in which J. W. Wallack was seen in one of
his greatest roles.

Lucille Western

J. B. Booth

CHAPTER XV

THE SEASON OF 1866-67

For this season Edwin Booth and John S. Clarke were billed
as lessees, with J. B. Booth as acting and stage manager,
although Thayer and Tompkins were in reality the powers be-
hind the throne. Charles Koppitz was again musical director,

127

THE BOSTON THEATRE

iiillP

Charles R. Thorne, Jr.

George Heister scenic artist, and W. P. Prescott was the ma-
chinist, a position which he con-
tinued to hold until the month
of June, 1901, when he retired
from active business. The
company consisted of Frank
Mayo, Charles R. Thorne, Jr.,
Louis Aldrich, Walter Leman,
Frank Hardenberg, H. L. Bas-
combe, George Allen, W. St.
Maur, W. F. Burroughs, F.
Woodhull, S. H. Forsberg, J. P.
Reynolds, E. M. Leslie, T. Bing-
ham, R. Arnott, J. Taylor, Agnes
Perry, Mrs. E. F. Stewart, Rachel

Noah, Susie Cluer, Annie Winslow, Mrs. E. M. Leslie, Mrs.

J.H. Brc vne, Mary Carr, Mrs. Marshall, and Mrs. Robinson.
The season opened on July

30, 1866, when the Buislay

Family began a three weeks'

stay with a variety perform-
ance, Henry Agoust the juggler

being one of the features.
The stock company opened

on August 20 and presented

the following plays during

the next fortnight: "Money," !

"The Loan of a Lover," "In-

o'omar," "The Romance of a
Man," "Jack

128

Poor Young

Agnes Perry

v "

5JW^

0*%

\\ ^P u

^VTTi >'

I I >'

6 a

'-.

- "

^wV

Boston Theatre Company, 1866-07

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Cade," "The Marble Heart," "St. Tropez," "Faint Heart
Never Won Fair Lady," "A Life's Revenge," "Nan, the
Good-for-Nothing," "The Dead Heart," and "Trying It
On."

Edwin Booth returned to the Boston stage on Monday,
September 3, 1866, making his first appearance after his
retirement on account of the assassination of President Lin-
coln, in the tragedy of "Othello," in which he played the title
role. He was received by a crowded house, who greeted him
with a spontaneous and long-continued burst of applause
which affected him almost to the point of breaking down. The
cast on that occasion was as follows :

Othello Edwin Booth.

Iago Frank Mayo.

Cassio Louis Aldrich.

Brabantio W. M. Leman.

Roderigo F. Woodhull.

Duke of Venice Wm. St. Maur.

Montano W. F. Burroughs.

Ludovico H. L. Bascombe.

Gratiano S. H. Forsberg.

Carlo Taylor.

Messenger Arnott.

Paulo Scott.

Julio Thos. Bingham.

Desdemona Mrs. Agnes Perry.

Emilia Mrs. E. F. Stewart.

Mr. Booth remained for six weeks, being also seen in "Ham-
let," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Merchant of Venice," "Rich-
ard III," "Brutus, or the Fall of Tarquin," "Don Csesar
de Bazan," "The Fool's Revenge," "Ruy Bias," "Kath-

130

THE SEASON OF 1866-67

John S. Clarke

arine and Petruchio," and "The Stranger." ''Hamlet" had

a run of three weeks at this time.
John S. Clarke, who was a

brother-in-law of Mr. Booth, hav-
ing married his sister Asia, and

who was also his partner as lessee

of the theatre, followed with a two

weeks' engagement, in which he

played "Everybody's Friend,"

"Toodles," "Babes in the Wood,"

and "Nicholas Nickleby." In the

latter play he was seen as New-
man Noggs, a part which showed

his talents to great advantage.
Adelaide Ristori and her Italian

company came on October 29,

1866, for a period of two weeks,
presenting "Medea," "Mary
Stuart," " Elizabeth," " Judith,"
"Phsedra," "Macbeth," "Adri-
enne Lecouvreur," and "Pia di
Tolomei." Ristori appeared but
four nights and Saturday mat-
inee of each week, the regular
company of the theatre playing
on Wednesday and Saturday
evenings in The Ticket of
Leave Man," or in "The Oc-
toroon." A two weeks' season
of Italian opera followed, with

131

Adelaide Ristori

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Minnie Hauck

Kellogg, Fannie Stockton, Minnie Hauck, Natali Testa, Car-
men Poch, Ronconi, Mazzolini, An-
tonucci, Baragli, and Signor Ronconi.
John Brougham opened for four
weeks on November 26, in "Flies
in the Web," "The Captain of the
Watch," "His Last Legs," "Play-
ing with Fire," 'David Copper-
field," the burlesque of "Colum-
bus," "Dombey and Son," "A Bull
in a China Shop," "The Irish Lion,"
and "The Irish Emigrant."

J. B. Roberts next appeared for
a fortnight, beginning December
24, in "Faust and Marguerite,"
"The Iron Chest," "The Corsican Brothers," and "Rich-
ard III." Lawrence Barrett followed for a single week
in "Rosedale," "Hamlet," and "The Lady of Lyons."

Another two weeks' season of
Italian opera began on January
14, 1867, with the same princi-
pals as before.

Mrs.D. P. Bowers followed for
a fortnight in her usual roles,
supported by J. C. McCullom.
For novelties she introduced "A
Wife's Secret" and "Adrienne."
On February 11 "The Streets
of New York" was revived by
Frank Mayo and the regular

132

John Brougham

THE SEASON OF 1866-67

J. B. Roberts

company. This play ran for four weeks and was followed by
three weeks more of the same actors in
"Ours," "The Colleen Bawn," "Brian
Boroihme," "The Idiot Witness," "The
Three Guardsmen," "The Veteran," and
"Waiting for the Verdict." "Ours" was
billed as "An Entirely New and Original
Comic Drama, written by T. W. Robert-
son and Artemus Ward, Esqs." Its open-
ing date was Monday, March 11, 1867.
When Lester Wallack offered the piece

on Tuesday, March 8, 1870, it was called "The Military and
Comic Drama, written by T. W. Robertson and Artemus
Ward, Esqs.," but when Mr. Wallack revived it here on Oc-
tober 24, 1872, it was billed as "Robertson's Grand Military
and Comic Drama." What connection Artemus Ward had

with the piece does not ap-
pear, as present editions of
the play make no mention
of his name.

On Saturday evening,
March 9, Brignoli and Ade-
laide Phillips were heard in
"The Barber of Seville,"
and on Saturday evening:,
March 30, J. H. Budworth
was seen in "Rip Van Win-
kle."

Another week of Italian

Carl Rosa and Parepa Rosa Opera followed with Parepa,

133

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Phillips, Brignoli, and Ferranti in the leading roles of "II
Trovatore," "Norma," "The Barber of Seville," "Lucia,"
and "Don Giovanni."

Edwin Booth was seen again in tragic roles from April 8 to
May 18, inclusive. Ristori and her Italian company played
"Mary Stuart" on Friday, April 25, and "Elizabeth" at
Saturday matinee, April 26. On Saturday evening, May 18,
1867, the German tragedian, Bogumil Dawison, played the
part of Othello in his native language, while Edwin Booth as
Iago and the supporting company of the theatre spoke their
lines in English.

"The Naiad Queen" was presented on May 20 for a three
weeks' run, Mr. and Mrs. William Gomersal, Agnes Perry,
Mrs. Frank Mayo, and Annie Chester the dancer being
featured.

T. Maguire and Professor Risley's Imperial Japanese
Troupe opened on June 17 and remained two weeks.

Fox's Great Combination Troupe came for the week of
July 1, closing the season. The performers were James Pil-
grim, Johnny Pierce, Ellen Coleen, J. M. Mortimer, Denny
Gallagher, Mile. La Rosa, Johnny Forbes, Frank Wood,
Mons. Albert Boldy, Julia Price, Alice Siedler, J. C. Stewart,
James Quinn, and R. M. J. Shier. The afterpiece was
"Lucretia Boards-Here."

CHAPTER XVI

THE SEASON OF 1867-68

The new Selwyn's Theatre, on Washington Street near
Essex, named for its manager, John H. Sehvyn, formerly
a scenic artist at the Boston Theatre, opened early in the sea-
son of 1867-68, and Charles Koppitz left to become the mus-
ical director of that establishment, taking his entire orchestra
with him. He was succeeded by
Napier Lothian, who remained in the
same position from that time until
May, 1907, this being the longest
period that any leader of orchestra has
ever retained a like position in this
country. Mr. Lothian, whose father
before him was a musical director,
was a young New Yorker who went
across the plains to California to seek
his fortune in the golden days of '49, sleeping out of doors
while on the journey and roughing it generally, as did all the
gold-seekers of that day. In California he met and married a
young English girl named Rivers, who had come to this coun-
try with the Viennese Ballet Troupe. Their union was blessed
with many children, among them being several sons who have
won position in the managerial departments of the theatrical
profession.

After a stay of several years on the Pacific slope Mr. Lothian

135

Napier Lothian

THE BOSTON THEATRE

returned East with the San Francisco Minstrels. His first Bos-
ton engagement was in 1862 with the Morris Brothers' Minstrels

^ 'itiPW^fll

Rev. Robert Collyer

Rev. Warren H. Cudworth

t>~tr

at their cosy little theatre on Washington Street, nearly opposite
Milk Street. When the Morris Brothers built the Continental
Theatre on Washington Street, near Harvard Street, he was
transferred there and remained at that house until his engaire-
ment at the Bos-
J. B. Booth
as manager in
company that
Charles R .
Louis Aldrich,
J. W. Thoman,

roughs, H. L.
R. Allen, D. J.
H. Forsberg, J.
Scott, J. Taylor,

Rev. E. H. Chapin
136

ton Theatre,
was first billed
1867-68. The
year included
Thome, Jr.,
Walter Leman,
W. F. Bur-
Bascombe, D.
Maguinnis, S.
H. Browne, J.
Mrs. J. B. Booth

THE SEASON OF 1867-68

(formerly Agnes Perry), Rachel Noah, Louisa Morse, Susie
Cluer, Mrs. S. Flood, Mrs. J. H. Browne, Mrs. E. M. Leslie,
Misses A. Byron, Annie Winslow, Julia Gaylord. Very few of
that number are living. Mrs. J. B. Booth is now Mrs. John B.
Schoeffel, her husband being the manager of the Tremont

Rev. Edward Everett Hale

Rev. Samuel Osgood

Theatre, whose residence is in Brookline. Rachel Noah and
Susie Cluer both reside in Boston, though neither has been
seen of late years upon the boards. Louisa Morse has long
been identified with the part of Aunt Tilda in "The Old
Homestead," and was seen in that role as recently as the au-
tumn of 1006. she being the last one of the company of the
season of 1867-68 to be seen in this theatre. Harry Bascombe
is in the Edwin Forrest Home in Philadelphia, where he has
been an inmate for more than twenty years, his being the
longest stay that any individual has ever made in that institu-

137

THE BOSTON THEATRE

tion. J. Scott was in private life Mr. S. J. Willis. He did not
long remain before the public, but engaged in the banking
business and at last accounts was living in Milton.

Dan Maguinnis, who made his first appearance with the
company that season, afterward became the leading comedian
of the theatre and a great local favorite. He began his stage
career with the Morris Brothers as a tenor singer. Unfor-
tunately losing his voice for a time, he became stage carpenter
and gallery door-keeper until his throat had become fully
rested, when he returned to the stage as an act jT. His rise was
rapid, as he had talent, humor, and intelligence. As a matter of
interest his first contract in this theatre is shown here.

Boston Theatre

Manager's Office

Boston, May 7, 1867.

Memorandum of Agreement between J. B. Booth, Lessee of
the Boston Theatre, and D. J. Maguinnis:
Said Maguinnis agrees to play general utility business, also
singing and dancing when required, and to aid in preparing
and working the Calcium Lights, etc. The said Booth agrees
to pay the said Maguinnis Twenty Dollars per week for forty
weeks more or less, commencing about the 26th of August
next. When said Maguinnis is playing Demons, or parts where
the risk of being injured is incurred, he is to have Ten Dollars
per week more, and when playing in the country, One Dollar
per day in addition to the regular salary.

J. B. Booth.

Dan J. Maguinnis.

Mr. Maguinnis twice essayed a starring season, but did not
meet with great success, and returned each time to the Boston

138

THE SEASON OF 1867-68

Theatre, being in the service of its management at the time of
his death in the spring of 1889. His funeral was attended by
thousands of persons from all ranks of life, for his friends were
leg-ion.

Charles R. Thorne, Jr., remained here for a number of
years, eventually going to New York, where for many seasons
he was acknowledged to be the foremost leading actor in
America.

Louis Aldrich also continued here for several years. He
later became c star in Bartley Campbell's play of 'My
Partner," which brought to him considerable fame and so
much money that he was able
to retire on a competency
some years before his death,
which occurred in 1901.

Mrs. Booth also went to
New York and held high
position among the leading
actresses of the metropolis
until her retirement from the
stage some seasons ago.

Julia Gay lord, whose name
came at the foot of the list,
afterward became a singer,
and going abroad rose rap-
idly to the position of prima
donna, singing principal roles

with great success for some years with the Carl Rosa English
Opera Company throughout the largest cities of Great Britain.

The J. Taylor who was then the super captain was John

139

Kate Keignolds

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Taylor, and should not be confounded with James W. Taylor,
who succeeded him in 1871, and who still continues to hold the

same position in this theatre,
having been for twenty years
its janitor as well. Despite
the similarity of names the
two Taylors were not related.
The season opened on Sep-
tember 2, 1867, with the Irish
comedian Edmund Falconer
in 'Innisfallen, or the Man
in the Pit/' he being sup-
ported by Kate Reignolds
(now Mrs. Erving Winslow)
and the regular company of
the theatre.

Caroline Richings

On September 16 Mrs. Jean
Davenport Lander commenced a two weeks' stay in "Eliza-
beth," presenting "Mary Stuart' ' on the Friday evening of
the second week. Her leading man was James H. Taylor,
who in his turn should not be confounded with W. James
Taylor, who held a like position with Madame Janauschek.

On Saturday evenings, September 21 and 28, 'Fanchon,
the Cricket" was presented with Jennie Gourlay as Fanchon,
W. J. Cogswell as Landry Barbaud, and George Becks as
Didier Barbaud.

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence came September 30 for three
weeks in "Caste," "Handy Andy," "The Yankee House-
keeper/ , "The Young Actress," "The Irish Lion," "Thrice
Married," "The Returned Volunteer," "Shandy Maguire,"

140

THE SEASON OF 1867-68

"Kathleen Mavourneen," "Born to Good Luck," 'Mischiev-
ous Annie," "Ireland As It Was," "Lord Flanigan," "The
Irish Emigrant," and "A Lesson for Husbands."

The Hanlons, with what would now be called a vaudeville
company, occupied the theatre for three weeks from Octo-
ber 21, that being also the date of the opening of Selwyn's
Theatre.

Adelaide Ristori with her Italian company was seen for one
week in "Marie Antoinette," "Mary Stuart," and "Eliza-
beth," her first performance taking place on November 11.
She also came for another week in the same season, be&'innmo-
on Monday, May 11, 1868, when "Sister Teresa" was added
to her repertoire.

There were four seasons of opera during the year, one in
Italian, one in English, and two in French. The first pre-
sented La Grange, Adelaide Phillips, and Brignoli in "II
Trovatore," "Norma," "The Barber of Seville," "Martha:'

"Lucretia Borgia," "Don Gio-
vanni," " Lucia di Lammermoor,"
and "La Favorita," opening on
November 18 and continuing; two
weeks. This was followed on De-
cember 2 by four weeks of Eng-
lish opera by Caroline Richings,
Mr. and Mrs. Seguin, S. C. Camp- 0.
bell, William Castle, Laura Wal-
dron, and Pierre Bernard in
"Martha," "La Sonnambula,"
"The Bohemian Girl," "Mari-
tana," "Linda di Chamouni," "Crown Diamonds," '"Cinder-

Zelda Seguin

141

THE BOSTON THEATRE

9!> i(

The

ella," 'The Daughter of the Regiment," "Norma,'
Rose of Castile," "Faust," and "Fra Diavolo."

On December 30 H. L. Bateman introduced for the first
time the noted French singer Tostee in " La Grande Duchesse,"
which ran for three weeks ; and on May 18 the French Opera
Company from New Orleans, with Mile. Lambele as prima

"TN

V i

Tostee as the Grand Duchess

Aline Lambele

donna, sang "Orphee aux Enfers," "La Belle Helene," and
'La Grande Duchesse," one week being given to each opera.
Robert Johnson and Nellie Germon were seen for the week
of January 20 in " The Heart of a Great City," and on the fol-
lowing week the regular company presented "The Streets of
New York."

142

-a
H

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Henry Ward Beecher's drama, "Norwood," had a single

representation on the afternoon of
January 25, 1868.

The spectacular feature of the sea-
son was "The White Fawn," which
was given a production far beyond
anything ever before seen in Boston
and which would be greatly above
the average of to-day. James Lewis
and Annie Kemp Bowler were espe-
cially engaged as principals, while
an entire ballet troupe was imported
from Vienna solely for this engage-
ment. "The White Fawn'' opened
on February 10, 1868, and continued
for eleven weeks. Although it was

a noteworthy success at that time, the play has never been

revived in this city.

The cast of "The White Fawn" was:

Henry Ward Beecher

King- Ding-dong
Prince Leander
Lord Twaddledum
Count Trinculum
Abdalla
King Salmon
Queen Saffronell?
Princess Graceful
Finetta
Princess Aika
Aqualina
Ruby

James Lewis.
Mrs. J. B. Booth.
George Atkins.
D. J. Maguinnis.
John Taylor.
D. J. Doublesitte.
Mrs. Louisa Morse.
Susie Cluer.
Rachel Noah.
Mrs. G. C. Boniface.
Annie Kemp.
Susie Flood.

144

THE SEASON OF 1867-68

Turquoise
Emerald
First Page
Second Page

Dora Goldthwaite.
Miss Johnson.
Annie Winslow.
Miss Ramsdale.

The name D. J. Doublesitte signified that D. J. Mamiinnis
doubled the part with that of Count Trinculum. When an
actor played two parts another name than his own was put
down for the inferior role, and sometimes considerable ingen-
uity was shown in devising the new names. D. J. Canduit
was often used, or D. J. Twoparts. C. F. Loon and R. F.
Runnion were favorite names for
the programme writers, both be-
ing taken from "Macbeth,"
"The devil damn thee black,
thou cream-faced loon," and
"Aroynt thee, witch, the rump-
fed runyon cried/' Ordinarily,
though, an actors name was
simply turned end for end, as
D. J. Maguinnis and M. J. Dan-
iels. This caused some slight
misapprehension when James
Lewis and Louis James were
both members of Aug-ustin Da-
ly's company in New York.

The weeks of April 27 and May 4 were given up to benefits
and performances by the regular company. Madame Ristori
returned for the week of May 1 1 . The New Orleans French
Opera Company, headed by Mile. Lambele, filled the weeks
of May 18, 2.5, and June 1. Promenade concerts under the

Rev. E. S. Gannett

145

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Rev. Dr. Putnam

management of Signor Brignoli and P. S. Gilmore were given
on the evenings of July 1 and 2. The Great Haselmeyer,

"Chief Escamoteur and En-
chantemagian Musicale to the
King of Prussia, Preceptor of
Hermann, and Inventor of the
Famous Goblin Drum/' gave
an "Entertainment Magique
et Musicale" the week of July
13. Mrs. O'Donovan Rossa
gave readings from the poets
on the evening of Tuesday,
July 21, 1868. The Mont-
gomery Light Guard, "of
Boston, Massachoo," gave an
exhibition drill on July 27, as-
sisted by Gilmore's full band of thirty-six pieces.

During the winters of 1867,
1868, and 1869, the Suffolk
Conference of Unitarian and
other Christian churches rented
the theatre for successive Sun-
day evenings and held religious
services, at which the follow-
ing clergymen officiated : George
H. Hepworth, J. M. Manning,
George W. Briggs, S. H. Wink-
ley, E. E. Hale, Robert Collyer,
E. S. Gannett, W. H. Cudworth,
George L. Chainey, Rufus Ellis,

146

Rev. James Freeman Clarke

THE SEASON OF 1867-68

Rev. Dr. Putnam, James Freeman Clarke, J. A. H. Chapman,
J. G. Bartholomew, E. H. Chapin, J. F. W. Ware, W. P. Til-
den, S. K. Lothrop, W. R. Alger, H. W. Foote, Frederic
Hinckley, C. G. Bowen, Henry W. Bellows, Frederic A. Far-
ley, James W. Thompson, Dr. Taylor, and Dr. Osgood.

CHAPTER XVII

THE SEASON OF 1868-69

The company remained about the same, with the addition
of James Lewis, H. A. Weaver, J. P. Keefe, Ambrose
Leonard, Shirley France, and Helen Tracy. Shirley France
afterward married Rachel Noah, the juvenile lady of the
company. J. B. Sullivan became the property-man and re-
mained in the theatre until 1887, when he was succeeded by
J. F. Sullivan, who continued from that time until June,
1901. The two Sullivans were not related. The season
opened with the stock company in "A Flash of Lightning"

for two weeks
beginning Au-
gust 27. They
continued to ap-
pear for the fol-
lowing fortnight
in Charles Reade
and Dion Bou-
cicault's collab-
oration, "Foul
Play," which
| was also played
,<! at two other the-
9 atres in this city
at the same time,

148

Lotta

Lotta
as Liddy Larrigan

THE SEASON OF 1868-69

while still another theatre presented a burlesque of this drama,

entitled "Chicken Hazard."

On September 14, 1868, Lotta made her first appearance

here in "Little Nell," staying
three weeks and presenting
also " The Pet of the Petti-
coats," "Family Jars" and
"Firefly."

Edwin Booth came on Oc-
tober 4 for a month's stay,
playing his usual roles. On
November 3, 1868, "Mac-
beth" was presented, with
Mr. Booth as Macbeth and
Madame Fanny Janauschek
as Lady Macbeth, she speaking
German, while Mr. Booth and
the supporting company ren-
dered their roles in English.
On November 4 the regular company produced Boucicault's

drama, "After Dark," an added feature for the second week

being Leotard, the originator of the

flying trapeze. Leotard appeared at

but two performances, it being an-
nounced the next day that he had

sprained his ankle at rehearsal. His

apparatus was packed up and he sailed

for home, but the supposition was that

as the flying trapeze was no longer a

novelty, he did not make the hit that

149

Janauschek

Leotard

THE BOSTON THEATRE

he had expected, and showed his disappointment in this man-
ner. "After Dark" ran two weeks and was followed by
another week of the regular com-
pany in "The Lancashire Lass,"
with Mr. Thorne as A Party by
the Name of Johnson.

Mrs. Lander, supported by
James H. Taylor and George
Becks, was next seen for two
weeks in "Elizabeth," "Marie
Antoinette," "Mary Stuart," and
" Macbeth.'

On the evening of Saturday,
November 28, 1868, "Romeo and

Juliet" was given, with Mrs. Scott-

James Lewis as Lucretia
Borgia, M. D.

Siddons as Juliet and Mrs. F. B.

Conway as Romeo. Mrs. Scott-

Siddons was a beautiful woman and a talented reader, but

never gained universal apprecia-
tion as an actress.

Edwin Forrest, supported by
George H. Clarke and the stock
company, began a three weeks'
engagement on December 7. This
proved to be Mr. Forrest's last
appearance at the Boston Theatre,
his final role being Jack Cade, on
the evening of December 25, 1868.
James Lewis had a benefit on
Saturday evening, December 19,
150

Elise Holt

op n i

; J. B. BOOTH ................_.... LESSEE AND MANAGER

SPECIAL JVINTVOTTTVCEMEIVT I

Ifi compliance with the earnest deilre otrnny patrona. in eogigBment bu boon at icqgih effected, for ooe appear*
ance only, of tfie celebrated German Tragedienne,

FANNY

jaitauschek:

Who hoi In the kindest muioer relinquished two nlghU of her engagement at the Olympic Theatre in order to
have the honor and pleasure of appearing before a Bofton public, prior to her farewell departure from this city, in
eoojunctlon with

ED"WI1T BOOTH

Who ha* postponed his engagement lu Chicago expressly for tula occasion.

Tuesday Evening, November 3, 1868,

BHAKSPEARE'S 6UBLIMK TKAOKDY OF

m a c m

With all the original Music and Grand Chorns,

LADY MACBETH .
MACBETH . . -

Macduff Mr. O. B. Thorne, Jr

Duncan, King of Scotland W. M. Lcman

Malcom, fcis son . . Shirley France

Donalbain, his son Miss Winslo w

Banquo . . H. A. Weaver

Fleanoe, bis son . Master Browne

Bosse *'* Louis Aldrich

Lennox A W. Leonard

Seyton J. D. Russell

Seward, the English General J. Scott

Wounded Sergeant J. F. Hasan

Phyeloian P. B. Allen

First Murderer J. Taylor

. . FANNY JANAUSCHEK
. . . EDWIN BOOTH

Second Murderer Frail

First Officer J. Talure

Second Officer Flail

Gentlewoman Mrs. J. H. Browne

Hecate ... D. J. Maguinnis

First Witch James Lewis

Second Witch r S. H. Forsberg

Third Witch S.J. Willis

First Singing Witch Miss Rachel Noah

Second Singing Witoh Miss Smith

First Apparition Miss W. Low

Second Apparition J. H. Browne

Third Apparition J. L. Whitney

WEDNESDAY EVENING, November 4th Will bo produced the latest London Sensation, entitled:

JL IF 1 T IE "R, X)^.j^iC!

A TALH OF LONDON LIFE.

Doors open, at 7 . Performance commences at 7.30.

NOTICE. OPERA GLASSES of superior quality can be hired at the stand In the Lobby of the Theatre.

THE REFRESHMENT SALOONS In the Lobbies of the Boston Theatre ore now open under a new u.nw
ment, and will be found complete In all first-claae requirements. The Lunch Counters supplied from Ute

1'A.nKtH HOD*E.

''^3 & * . *, s-s ,r.e i.\ s '! tJJ 1 iTii'

^ -- fjf , f , \

. .j ._....

1 .1..i .< .U-JU

151

THE BOSTON THEATRE

James Fisk, Jr.

when Asa Cushman was seen as Ginger Bine in "The Vir-
ginia Mummy."

On Saturday evening, December 26, 1868, Lizzie Inez

St. John was seen as Juliet, with Edwin
' ''-^"SS^ Adams as Elomeo and Frank Mayo as

Mercutio.
*(' *** James H. Hackett opened on Decem-

ber 28 for one week, in " The Merry
Wives of Windsor," "Henry IV," "Rip
Van Winkle," 'His Last Legs," and
"Monsieur Mallet."

Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Davenport were
seen on January 2, 1869, in "The Scalp
Hunters" and "The Pilot."
An Italian opera company followed for four weeks, the
principals being La Grange, Agatha States,
Isabel McCulloch, Natali Testa, Brignoli,
Habelmann, Hermanns, Formes, Boetti,
and Rotter. In addition to the familiar
operas, they were heard in "Robert le Di-
able," " Crispino e la Comare," "Sicilian
Vespers," "Belisario," "The Star of the
North," and "L'Africaine."

Commencing February 1, 1869, Kate
Reignolds and Elise Holt played one week,
the former in drama and comedy and the
latter in burlesque. Miss Reignolds played
in "Peg Woffington," "The Shadow of a
Crime," "Two Can Plav at That Game,"

and "Richelieu at Sixteen." Miss Holt

152

[rma

THE SEASON OF 1868-69

Aujac

brought with her Minnie Jackson, Emily Pitt, Mary Pitt,

Georgie Langley, Harry Wall, and

W. H. Lee. Mr. Lee afterward be-
came a police commissioner of the

city of Boston. He played Cedric

the Saxon in "Ivanhoe" and Ru-

stighello in "Lucretia Borgia, M.D."
James Fisk, Jr.'s, French Opera

Bouffe Company opened on Febru-
ary 3, presenting "Barbe Bleue" all

of that week and "La Perichole" all

of the next. The artists were Mile.

Irma, Aujac, Marie Tholer, Lavas-

sor, Francis, Benedick, M. and Mme.

Hamilton, Dardionac, and Edg-ard.

For a third week the company was

reinforced by Mile. Tostee, Mile. Duclos, Le-
duc, Lagriffoul, Duchesne, Deere, and Gui-
don. "La Grande Duchesse, ,, "Orphee aux
Enfers,"' 'Lischen & Fritzchen," "Le Chan-
son de Fortunio," and "Mons. Choufleuri v
were additional operas for the third week.
They were followed on March 1 by the Rich-
ings Grand English Opera Company, whose
membership included Caroline Richings Ber-
nard, Pierre Bernard, Mr. and Mrs. Seguin,
William Castle, S. C. Campbell, J. A. Arnold,
Chas. Drew, the Peakes Brothers, Edith Abell,
Anna Mischka, and Airs. Gonzales. For

Fuller, the Skater novelties they introduced Julius Eichberg's

153

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Doctor of Alcantara," "A Night in Granada," "The Rose
of Castile," " Masaniello," and "Crown Diamonds," in ad-
dition to their former repertoire.

On Saturday evening, March 13, Lizzie Inez St. John was
seen in "Leah," supported by the regular company.

Lotta returned on March 22 for a three weeks' stay in
"Little Nell and the Marchioness," "Firefly," and "Uncle
Tom's Cabin," being seen as Topsy in the latter piece. On
Friday, April 9, 1869, she played "The Female Detective"
and "An Object of Interest." As the detective she assumed
the roles of Florence Langton, Grizzle Guttridge, Mrs.
Gamage, Harry Rackett, Barney O'Brien, and Gaunse-a-sha-
nee-joseph-e-nee-cilte-lager-lodovica (an original Dutch char-
acter written for her by Robert McWade, in which she sings
a Tyrolean song).

Mrs. D. P. Bow

McCollum and the
opened on Wed-
in " Lady Aud-
which was fol-
"East Lynne,"
What Can
'Romeo and Ju-
querade," "Lucre-
King's Rival," and
24, Mrs. Bowers

Mrs. D. P. Bowers and
Mrs. F. B. Conway

pported by J. C.
stock company,
Lnesday, April 14,
, ley's Secret,"
lowed by
"Snare, or
Money Do,"
liet," " Love's Mas-
tia Borgia," " The
"Leah." On April
played Juliet to the

Romeo of her sister, Mrs. F. B. Conway, and the Mercutio of
J. C. McCollum. John M. Ward had a benefit on Saturday
evening, April 17, when the New England comedian, Yankee
Glunn, appeared in "Rosina Meadows."

154

THE SEASON OF 1868-69

Fuller, the Wonderful Skater, who had just returned from
Europe, was seen at Mrs. Bowers's benefit on April 30.

On May 3, 1869, Joseph Jefferson made his first appearance
here in "Rip Van Winkle," the cast being as follows:

ACT FIRST

Rip Van Winkle
Derrick Von Beekman
Cockels

Nicholas Vedder

Stein

Little Hendrick

Little Meenie

Clausen

Gretchen Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle
Swaggerins
Hendrick Hudson

Rip Van Winkle

Derrick Von Beekman

Cockels

Seth

Hendrick Vedder

Villagers

Gretchen

Meenie Van Winkle

Katchen

Joseph Jefferson.

C. Leslie Allen.

S. H. Forsberg.

S. J. Willis.

Emmerson.

Master Johnny Browne.

La Petite Maime.

Williams.

Mrs. J. B. Booth.

ACT SECOND

Joseph Jefferson.

Daniels.

Scott.

ACT THIRD

Joseph Jefferson.

C. Leslie Allen.
S. H. Forsberg.

D. J. Maguinnis.
Shirley France.

Messrs. Rooney and Taylor.
Mrs. J. B. Booth.
Miss Rachel Noah.
Mrs. J. H. Browne

'Rip Van Winkle" ran four weeks with great artistic and
financial success.

On Saturday evening, May 15, 1869, a farewell testimonial

155

THE BOSTON THEATRE

benefit, tendered to Harry Blood-
good by a committee of gentle-
men of Boston, introduced Mr.
Bloodgood in his specialties, in
one of which he was assisted by
his pupil, Master Tommy. Eph
Horn made a stump speech, the
Lascelle Brothers offered a gym-
nastic act, and the stock company
were seen in "The Irish Emi-
grant," with C. Leslie Allen as
Tom Bobolink.

On Saturday evening, May
22,

Jefferson as Rip Van Winkle

Clara Louise Kellogg, Bo-
etti, Rena, Susini, and Xime-
nes in "Don Pasquale," for
one night only.

Ellsler and Denier's
"Humpty Dumpty' : began
on May 31 a three weeks'
engagement, Tony Denier
being the Clown, George A.
Beane the Pantaloon, Harry
Leslie the Harlequin, and
Mile. Auriol the Columbine.
Alfred Moe, Champion
Skater, was an added attrac-
tion.

Hughey Dougherty

156

THE SEASON OF 1868-69

Dougherty, Wild, Barney and Mac's Minstrels gave one
performance on Saturday, July 31, the principals being
Hughey Dougherty, Johnny Wild, Master Barney, Little
Mac, G. Swaine Buckley, W. Henry Rice, J. H. Baker, R.
Tyrrell, Ainsley Scott, Andy Carland, and Fred Emerson.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE SEASON OF 1869-70

I^Ior the season of 1869-70 Frank Roche was the leading
man of the company, Charles R. Thome, Jr., having
gone to Selwyn's Theatre, where so many went and so few
remained. Other additions to the Boston Theatre Company
were H. S. Murdoch, C. Leslie Allen, father of the present-
day star Viola Allen; F. Rooney, af-
terward the leading man known as
Frank Roberts; N. D. Jones, Horace
Frail, L. R. Stockwell, who later
became a favorite low comedian in
California; W. H. Collings, Dora
Goldthwaite and Eliza Lone:. The
season opened on August 16 with
the spectacular pantomime 'The
Seven Dwarfs," presented by R. W.
Butler's company and the Morlacchi
ballet troupe. This ran for five weeks
and was succeeded on September 20
by Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams,
who remained one month, playing
"The Fairy Circle," "The Emerald
Ring," and "All Hallow Eve," using
for afterpieces "The Custom of the Country," "Ireland As It
Was," "Yankee Courtship," and "The Irish Tiger." The
stock company were then seen for a week and a half in

158

George L. Fox

o
o

o
a;

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Formosa," a drama by Dion Boucicault which caused con-
siderable comment on account of the
boldness of its theme, but which failed
to draw.

George L. Fox, in the pantomime
of "Hickory Dickory Dock," opened
on October 27 for one week, C. K.
Fox being the Pantaloon. An added
attraction was the Kiralfys, Imre,
Bolossy, and Haniola, in their Hun-

C. K. Fox

garian dancing.

Anna Dickinson lectured
"Whited Sepulchres" on Sunday, October 31.

Edwin Booth began on November 4 an engagement of only
one and a half weeks, in his customary tragic repertoire.

On November 1.5 Maggie
Mitchell commenced a four
weeks' season, during which
she was seen in "The Pearl
of Savoy," "Little Barefoot,"
"Lorle," "Margot," "Katty
O'Sheal," and "Fanchon."
As she did not appear on Sat-
urday evenings the perform-
ances on those occasions were
given by the stock company,
the plays being "Moll Pitch-
er," Mrs. II. P. Grattan in the
title role; "The Octoroon,"
and "The Long Strike."

Anna Dickinson

160

THE SEASON OF 1869-70

For J. B. Booth's benefit on November 20, Edwin Booth
was seen in "Richard III."

Mrs. Scott-Siddons played the
week of December 13, in "As
You Like It," "The Honey-
moon," "King Rene's Daugh-
ter," "Twelfth Night," and
"Masks and Faces."

Lucille Western and James A.
Heme followed for three weeks
in "East Lynne," "The Child
Stealer," "Green Bushes," and
"Oliver Twist," McKee Rankin
assuming the role of Fagin the
Jew, in the last-named play.

The Parepa Rosa Grand Eng-
lish Opera Company began a

three weeks' season on January 10, 1870, the chief singers
being Parepa Rosa, Rose Hersee, the Seguins, Castle, Camp-
bell, and Gus Hall. Their repertoire was as usual, with the
addition of "The Puritan's Daughter," "The Black Dom-
ino," and "The Marriage of
Figaro." On account of the
death of Parepa Rosa's mo-
ther, the prima donna was
out of the cast from January
12 to the 17th. It was at this
time that Harry Jackson, then
Parepa Rosa's stage-manager,
made a speech to the audi-

161

Mrs. Scott-Siddons

S. C. Campbell

Dollie Bid-
well

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ence telling of her loss and concluding with, " Accidents will

happen in the best-regulated
iamihes.

Mrs. Emma Waller appeared
as Meg Merrilies in " Guy Man-
nering" the week of January

31.

On February 5 a testimonial
was given to Charles R. Thorne,
Jr., who had seceded from Sel-
wyn's Theatre and was about
to depart for California. Mr.
Thorne appeared as Salem
Scudder in "The Octoroon" in
the afternoon and as D'Artag-
nan in "The Three Guards-

F. S. Chanfrau as Sam

men" in the evening.
On February 7 F. S.
Chanfrau appeared as Sam
in the play of that name,
on February 11 he assumed
the title role in the comedy
of "Joe," and on Febru-
ary 14, 1870, he first pre-
sented "Kit, the Arkansas
Traveller," ' a play which
was long identified with

Charles Fechter

162

THE SEASON OF 1869-70

the Boston Theatre, though it did not make a great stir at
the start. In conjunction with the play of "Joe," Mr. Chan-
frau at that time appeared in "The Widow's Victim," essay-
ing the role of Jere Clip and giving imitations of famous
actors.

Charles Fechter, supported by Carlotta Leclercq, made his
first appearance in Boston on February 21, 1870, in the role

of Hamlet. He remained
^1^4.- two weeks, presenting also

"Ruy Bias" and "The
Lady of Lyons."

On the afternoon of Feb-
ruary 22 the stock company,
reinforced by F. C. Bangs
and Melinda Jones, were
seen in ''Uncle Tom's
Cabin." The sanie evening
they played "Jessie Brown"
and "The Long Strike."
Lester Wallack next ap-
| peared for one week in " The
Captain of the Watch,"
' Woodcock's Little Game,"
"Ours" (in which he had the assistance of Gilmore's Band),
"Home," "Ernestine," and "A Regular Fix."

On March 14 an Italian opera company came for two
weeks, the principals being Clara Louise Kellogg, Amalia
Jackson, Adelaide Phillips, Marie Sand, Lotti, Reina, Su-
sini, Caletti, Reichardt, and Ronconi. They were heard in
"II Trovatore," "Faust," "II Poliuto," "William Tell,"

163

Carlotta Leclercq

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Masaniello," "Linda di Chamouni," and 'Robert le Di-
able."

On March 28 Charles Fechter returned for three weeks,
being supported by Carlotta Leelereq, F. C. Bangs, and Me-

linda Jones. The plays on this occasion
were "The Duke's Motto," "The Lady
of Lyons," "Hamlet," "Ruy Bias," and
'Don Caesar de Bazan." On the even-
ing of April 16 Mr. Fechter played in
the French language, being supported by
a French company from New York, in
' Les Jurons de Cadillac," " On De-
mande un Gonverneur," and "Les Deux
Aveugles."

At Harry Bloodgood's benefit on Sat-
urday evening, April 2, Mr. Bloodgood
sang " Darling Mignonette" and " Sammy
Baxter." Walter Brown, the Champion
Oarsman, appeared, as did also Master
Duderberg Casey, Masters Tommy and
Willie Daly, Eva Brent, and others.

Joseph Jefferson was seen as Rip Van Winkle for three
weeks, beginning April 11. On the afternoon of Thursday,
April 21, Charles Fechter played Don Csesar de Bazan, and
on the evening of Saturday, April 23, he was seen in "The
Lady of Lyons" for Carlotta Leclercq's benefit.

John M. Ward had a benefit on Saturday evening, May 7,
at which Dollie Bidwell played in ' ' The Flowers of the For-
est," R. S. Meldrum recited "The Maniac's Tear," and
William Scallan was seen in "Handy Andy."

164

William Castle

THE SEASON OF 1869-70

Lotta began on May 9 a three weeks' stay in "Firefly,"
"The Little Detective," and "Heartsease."

Napier Lothian had a benefit on the afternoon of May 18,
1870, when, among other attractions, Stuart Robson and
Lotta played 'Nan, the Good-for-Nothing." Anna Mehlig
and S. C. Campbell were billed to appear, but Campbell was ill
and Miss Mehlig did not come
from New York. Fortunately
Madame Parepa Rosa was in
a private box and kindly vol-
unteered to sing two songs.

Kate Reignolds, supported
by Neil Warner and the stock
company, played the week of
May 30 in "Armadale," "Ca-
mille," "Ingomar," "Kathleen
Mavourneen," and "The An-
gel of Midnight."

Kittie Blanchard had a be-
nefit on Wednesday afternoon,
June 1, at which Stuart Rob-
son, Charles H. Vandenhoff,
Neil Warner, and others appeared.

Minnie Wells, with "her Zoological Collection of African
Lions and Pumas, the Elephant Timour,' and two Desert
Camels," opened June 6 in "The Lion of Nubia, or the
Hunters of the Nile." Business was disastrous and the com-
pany disbanded, leaving the animals in the theatre, where they
remained for many days, unwelcome and malodorous guests.
Thus ended the season of 1869-70.

Lotta as Firefly

CHAPTER XIX

THE SEASON OF 1870-71

The company for 1870-71 included Neil Warner, H. S.
Murdoch, Louis Aldrich, C. Leslie Allen, D. J. Ma-
guinnis, Shirley France, J. F. Hagan, Stuart Clarke, J. D.
Russell, A. Leonard, G. F. Kenway, L. R. Stockwell, T. C.
Howard, Mrs. Booth, Rachel Noah, Mrs. Chas.
Poole, Georgie Reignolds, Mrs. C. L. Allen,
l\ - Dora Goldthwaite, Marie Uart, Laura Alexan-

\ der, and Belle Dudley.

The season opened on September 12 with a
three weeks' engagement of the Lydia Thomp-
son Troupe in the
1) u r 1 e s q u e s of
"Sinbad the Sail-
or, Lurline,

1 x i o n , and
"Sonnambula."
The leading art-
ists were Lydia
Thompson, Fannie
Prestige, Pauline
Markham, Ada Harland, Alice
Atherton, John L. Hall, W. B.
Cahill, John Morris, and Willie

Edouin. Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams then came for three
weeks, "The Connie Soogah' being an added feature of

Lydia Thompson

Pauline Markham

166

'Ks -

?lii!iMiilfea^

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Stuart Robson

Neil Warner

their repertoire. Lotta followed on October 24 for three
weeks of "Little Nell," "The Ticket of Leave Man," "The
Little Detective," "Heart's Ease," "Captain Charlotte," and
"Andy Blake." H. S. Murdoch was the Dick Swiveller in
"Little Nell" and H. A. Weaver the Quilp. In "The Ticket
of Leave Man'' Lotta played Sam Willoughby and Neil
Warner Bab Brierly. A play by Hart Jackson, called 'Pe-
pina," was announced for November 7, but for some reason

was never presented.

General Judson F. Kilpatrick lec-
tured on Sunday evenings, Novem-
ber 13 and 20, on "Scenes of the Re-
bellion' and "Sherman's March to
the Sea."

Mrs. D. P. Bowers opened on No-
vember 14 in Wilkie Collins's "Man
and Wife" and continued for two
weeks, presenting also "Lady Aud-
ley's Secret," "The Honeymoon,"
"The Rose of Mayence," and "East

168

Petroleum V. Nasby (D. R.
Locke)

THE SEASON OF 1870-71

General Judson F. Kilpatrick

Lynne." The " Man and Wife ' ' which was played here in 1854

was a different piece, written by

Arnold, and having for sub-title

"More Secrets than One."
On Sunday, November 27,

George William Curtis lectured

on Charles Dickens.

On Monday, November 28,

Stuart Robson appeared in " Bar-

naby Rudge," playing Sim Tap-

pertit, while his sister, Mary

Stuart, was seen as Miss Miggs,

Mrs. J. B. Booth assuming the

title role. "Barnaby Rudge"

not proving to be a drawing card, Mr. Robson was seen the

following week in "Billiards," "Everybody's Friend," " Too-

dles," "Paul Pry," "The Spit-
fire," "Gale Breezely," 'Rob-
ert Macaire," and "Camille,
or the Cracked Heart." For
the last three performances of
this week Tom and Jerry"
was added to the bill, with
the noted English pugilist Jem
Mace, assisted by his cousin,
Pooley Mace, in the boxing scene.
D. R. Locke ("Petroleum V.
Nasby") lectured on Sunday
evening;, December 11, 1870.

George William Curtis

On December 12 Hess's Eng-

169

THE BOSTON THEATRE

lish Opera came for two weeks, presenting Caroline Richings
Bernard, Rose Hersee, Mr. and Mrs. Henri Drayton, Brook-
house Bowler, Mr. and Mrs. Seguin, J. H. Chatterson, Castle,
and Campbell, in "Martha," "Fra Diavolo," "Oberon,"
Jr ,-^^ "Dinorah," "II Trovatore," "The Bo-

f l % hemian Girl," 'The Marriage of Figaro,"

**M "RipVan Winkle," and "The Huguenots."

Walter Montgomery made his appear-
ance as a reader on Sunday, December
18, 1870, and was first seen here as an
actor on December 26, 1870, in "An-
tony and Cleopatra," which ran for the
Walter Montgomery entire week. During the following fort-
night he was seen in "King John,'
"Louis XI," "Othello," "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "The Mer-
chant of Venice," "The Stranger," "The Honeymoon," "Ro-
meo and Juliet," 'Richard III," "Not a Bad Judge," and
"The Iron Chest." On Saturday evening, January 14, 1871,
Mr. Montgomery was called into the green-room and pre-
sented with a silver goblet, having the following inscription:
To Walter Montgomery, from his Brother Actors of the
Boston Theatre as a slight recognition of his eminent ability as
an actor and of his real worth and good-fellowship as a man."
The New German Opera opened on January 16 for two
weeks and a half, its membership including Louise Lichtmay,
Bertha Roemer, Clara Perl, Mile. A. Rosetti, Mile. Haffner,
Habelmann, Carl Formes, Wilhelm Formes, Vierling, Franosch,
Bernard, and Himmer. The operas were 'Fidelio," 'The
Merry Wives of Windsor," 'Faust," ' Tannhauser," "Don Gio-
vanni," "Martha," "Der Freischutz," "The Jewess," "The

170

THE SEASON OF 1870-71

Edith O'Gorman, the Escaped Nun

Magic Flute," " Stradella," 'The Marriage of Figaro," and
"La Dame Blanche."

On Sunday evenings, January
22, 29, and February 5, Pro-
fessor Adolphus Rohde lectured
on " The World Before the Del-
uge," with a series of seventy
pictorial illustrations, each twen-
ty feet in diameter. The public
failed to respond in paying num-
bers.

The half-week left vacant by
the opera was filled by the stock
company, with Neil Warner and

Stuart Robson featured, in "Rob
Roy," "Cramond Brig," "The Lady
of Lyons," "The Long Strike,"
"Richard III," "Handy Andy,"
and "Paddy Miles's Boy."

Frank Mayo came on February 6
for two weeks in "The Streets of
New York."

Walter Montgomery had a benefit
on Monday evening, February 13,
when the bill was " Not a Bad Judge"
and The Lady of Lyons," Mrs.
Booth playing Pauline in the latter
piece.

The spectacular offering for the
season was James Fisk, Jr.'s, mag-

171

Charles Fechter as Hamlet

THE BOSTON THEATRE

. Vis

nificent production of 'The Twelve Temptations," which

opened on February 20 and ran four weeks. The principal

female role was assumed by Nully
Pieris and the ballet under the direc-
tion of David Costa included Miles.
Lupo, Albertina and Roze, and
Mons. Ajax.

Edith O'Gormamthe escaped nun,
lectured on Sunday evenings, March
19 and April 2, on "The Secrets of
the Confessional" and "Life in a
Convent."

Charles Fechter and Carlotta Le-
clercq next appeared for three weeks,
opening on
March 20,
their plays be-
ing "The Lady

of Lyons," "Ruy Bias," "Don Caesar,"

"No Thoroughfare," and "Hamlet."
On the evening of April 5, 1871, and

the afternoon of April 6 Marie Seebach

and her German company were seen

in "Faust" and "Mary Stuart."

A fair for the French sufferers by

the Franco-Prussian war filled the two

weeks after the Fechter engagement.
On April 24 William Creswick,

James Bennett, Walter Montgomery,

and Charles Kemble Mason, supported

172

Sheridan and Mack

Jem Mace

THE SEASON OF 1870-71

George E. (Yankee) Locke

by the stock company, began a week's engagement in
"Othello," "Julius Caesar," "Romeo and Juliet," and
"Macbeth."

Joseph Jefferson began on
May 1 his annual engagement
in "Rip Van Winkle," continu-
ing three weeks.

Yankee Locke was seen in
"Captain Kydd" and "Wife for
a Day" on May 13, for John
M. Ward's benefit.

Count Joannes was seen as
Richard III on Saturday even-
ing, May 20.

James Fisk, Jr.'s, French opera company, with Lea Silly,
Elise Persini, Marie Aimee, and Messieurs Gausins and

Girrebeuk, sang for a fort-
night beginning May 22, in
"Les Brigands," "La Peri-
chole," "Barbe Bleue," "La
Grande Duchesse," and "Le
Petit Faust."

Johnny Thompson in his
protean drama, "On Hand,"
appeared for the two weeks
commencing June 5, the star
assuming the roles of Jack
Norton, Molly McGormly,
Jacob Hansmiiller, Bill the
Buster, Shang Hi, Moses Levi

173

Old Spear

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Cohen, Josephus Orangeblossom, Fat Charley, Ann Eliza
Jane, Dennis MeNulty, Antoine Garibaldi, and Mr. Sehowen-
hoven. He introduced four dances and played on eleven in-
struments, besides singing four songs.

On Sunday, June 18, the New York Ninth Regiment, under
the command of Colonel "Jim" Fisk, Jr., attended divine
services in this theatre.

Butler and Gilmore's Theatre Comique Company from
New York City opened on June 19 and continued four weeks,
giving a clever variety performance. The company included
Hughey Dougherty, Ashcroft and Morton, Charles Howard,
George C. Davenport, J. C. Stewart, George H. Coes, James
F. Wambold, James Kelly, John W. Myers, Lew Rattler,
Jennie Engle, Leopold and Geraldine, Mile. Venturoli, Mile.
Bertha, Lisle Riddell, Madeline Hardy, the Schrotter Sisters,
the Clinetop Sisters, Mile. Alexandria, Ida Greenfield, Henri-
etta Scott, Viro Farrand, Carrie Haines, Hattie Engle, Lizzie
Dark, Ida Rivers, Emma Rose, Dave Braham, Hilton the
ventriloquist, and Sheridan and Mack.

George G. Spear ("Old Spear ") had a benefit on July 26,
with the following volunteers: E. L. Davenport, Joseph
Proctor, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Booth, Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Con-
way, John Gilbert, George Clair, Frank Roche, J. J. Sullivan,
W. Scallan, Ferd Hight, J. W. Carroll, Jennie Carroll, H. S.
Murdoch, Mrs. J. R. Vincent, Laura Phillips, Harrington the
ventriloquist, Johnny Queen, and J. D. Kelly. The receipts
were $1670.30.

CHAPTER

THE SEASON OF 1871-72

For the season of 1871-72 the programme read as follows:
Thayer and Tompkins, Proprietors. J. B. Booth, Lessee
and Manager. The Company : Louis Aldrich, C. Leslie Allen,
D. J. Maguinnis, W. H. Pope, A. Leonard, W. H. Norton,
Shirley France, J. J. Sullivan,
J. H. Connor, J. W. Hague,
G. W. Wilson, F. Rooney, J.
D. Russell, L. R. Stoekwell,
J. F. L'Estrange, Mrs. J. B.
Booth, Mrs. Charles Poole, Ra-
chel Noah, May Davis, Dora
Goldthwaite, Marie Uart, Annie
Winslow, Emma Smiley, Misses
Morse, Oakley, and Carter.
George Tirrell, Scenic Artist;
W. P. Prescott, Machinist; J.
B. Sullivan, Property man; Geo.

Wilkinson, Gas Engineer; Charlotte Gilbert, Costumer; W.
H. Daly, Prompter ; N. Lothian, Leader of Orchestra ; John
M. Ward, Treasurer; H. A. M'Glenen, Business Agent.

George W. Wilson remained here four seasons, going in
1876 to the Boston Museum, where he remained several years,
ranking as one of the best character comedians in the country.

John W. Hague also became very well known as a character

175

Grand Duke Alexis

THE BOSTON THEATRE

actor, his best-known work being'
with Louis Aldrich in "My Part-
ner." Emma Smiley afterward be-
came the wife of D. J. Maguinnis.
They had but one child, a boy, and
parents and son have now been
dead for some years.

J. J. Sullivan married Katie
Putnam a few years later and
11 became her manager.

W. C. Pope was afterward billed
Q sometimes as W. Pope Cooke, and
oftener as R. Pope Cooke.

J. D. Russell, whose real name
was J. R. Clark, played here
in small parts for several years
under the names of Arnott, Dut-
ton, Russell, and Clarke. He later or-
ganized a troupe of grotesque danc-
ers, known as the Girards, who
met with great success in America,
Europe, and Australia. He died of
consumption in Boston in 1876, at
the very time that the Girards with-
out him were making; a furore in
London.

Another man of like name who was
in the company for several years was
J. Stuart Clarke, who has since left
the profession and become identified William Creswick

Charles Fisher

176

THE SEASON OF 1871-72

with the oil business, where he is known as an expert in oils
and oil machinery.

H. A. M'Glenen, the business agent, had previously been
connected with the theatre, but had gone
with the exodus to Selwyn's. From this
time, however, until his death, on March
24, 1894, he remained at the Boston.
During his later years he was probably
- the best-known

theatrical man

in Boston and

numbered his

friends by

thousands, as

was attested

by the size of his annual benefits.

The attendance at his funeral was

only rivaled in numbers by that at

the last rites

of William
Warren and Dan Maguinnis.

The season began with a series of
dramas of the cheaper sort, such as
would be seen in the minor theatres
nowadays. G. Swaine Buckley, for-
merly at the head of Buckley's Sere-
naders, opened on Tuesday, August
1. in "On the Track," appearing
during the course of the play in sev-
eral different characters, and intro- Thomas Hengier

Victor Capoul

177

THE BOSTON THEATRE

1 ' '' )

' f 1

MMT ~ *

ducing his unique specialty, 'Music on the Brain," in which

he played on numerous musical in-
struments at the same time. He
remained a fortnight, and was fol-
lowed on August 14 by Joseph
Proctor in 'Nick of the Woods,"
"Ambition/' and "O'Neill," for
one week.

Little Nell, the California Dia-
na o n d , w a s
seen the week
of August 21
in "K a t v
Did," a play
of the school
made popular
by Lotta, in which she introduced her

banjo -playing.
She afterward

retired from the stage for several
years and went abroad for an edu-
cation, returning to America in
188.5, when under her own name
of Helene Dauvray she made a dis-
tinct success in Bronson Howard's
play, "One of Our Girls."

D. L. Morris, the broken-German
comedian, in his play, "Dollars,"

Little Nell, the California Dia-
mond, Helene Dauvray

Charles Wheatleigh

John H. Selwyn

was seen for five nights beginning
August 28.

178

THE SEASON OF 1871-72

President Grant

Joseph Murphy in the protean drama, "Help," opened on
Saturday evening, September 2, and played throughout the
ensuing week. Mr. Murphy had
previously been one of the pro-
prietors of Cotton and Murphy's
Minstrels, and in this play he
made a feature of the bone solo
which he played while imper-
sonating a negro character.

"Elfie,
the Maid
of the
Cherry
Tree Inn,"
a drama

which Dion Boucicault had contracted
to write for Lotta but had been un-
able to finish on time and had there-
fore returned
the money
advanced by
her, to continue the work at his
leisure, was produced on Septem-
ber 11 for two weeks with mem-
bers of Wallack's Theatre Com-
pany in the cast, including Effie
Germon, Charles Wheatleigh, and
Charles Fisher.

Lydia Thompson followed on
September 25 for two weeks, pre-

179

Christine Xilsson

Effie Germon

THE BOSTON THEATRE

senting "Lurline," "Bluebeard," "The Princess of Trebi-
zonde," and "Sinbad." Harry Beckett, Willie Edouin, John
Bryer, Hetty Tracy, Carlotta Zerbini, Eliza and Jennie
Weathersby, Camille Dubois, Tilly Earl, and other favorites
were in the company.

The Strakosch Grand Italian Opera Company began a two
weeks' season on October 9, with Christine Nilsson, Annie
Louise Cary, Leon Duval, Victor Capoul, Jamet, Brignoli,
Ronconi, and Barre as principals. There were no novelties
in their repertoire.

On Saturday evening, October 14, a benefit was given for
the sufferers by the great Chicago fire, at which appeared
Annie Louise Cary, Leon Duval, Mrs. J. B. Booth, Louis
Aldrich, Victor Capoul, Brignoli, D. J. Maguinnis, W. H.
Pope, G. S. Tukey, and others. President U. S. Grant and
suite attended on this occasion.

Yankee Locke played 'Ten Nights in a Bar Room" on
Saturday evening, October 21.

George Vandenhoff lectured on 'Woman" on Sunday
evening, October 22.

Edwin Booth followed on October 23 with three weeks of his
tragic repertoire.

Gideon Haynes, warden of the Charlestown State Prison,
lectured on 'Prison Life" on Sunday evening, October 29.

Reverend Athanase Coquerel spoke on "Reformers Past
and Present" on Sunday evening, November 5.

Lotta appeared for two weeks beginning November 13 in
her favorite plays, to which she had added "The Rainbow."

Mile. Morlacchi, assisted by the Majilton Family of
grotesque dancers, opened on November 27 in "The French

180

THE SEASON OF 1871-72

Kate Santley

Spy," which ran for the greater part of two weeks. Joseph
Heine, the blind violinist, ap-
peared on Sunday, December 3,
1871.

The Grand Duke Alexis of
Russia visited Boston in Decem-
ber, 1871, and was received with
much attention by the citizens,
the culminating point of their
entertaining being the grand ball
which was given in the Boston
Theatre on the evening of Fri-
day, December 8, when the au-
ditorium was floored over for
dancing and the entire interior
was lavishly decorated. This

was one of the most magnificent occasions that the city has
ever known and was a success in every respect.

Morlacchi and the Majiltons con-
tinued for the week of December 11
in "The Wizard Skiff," D. J. Maguin-
nis and the company also playing
"O'Flanagan and the Fairies." For
the last three days of the week Harry
Jackson was added to the bill in the
protean comedietta, "Heads of the
People." in which he impersonated
Napoleon I, King William of Prussia,
Madame Dumpling, a "Dwarf French
Opera Singer"; Susan Squall, an Old

181

Eliza Weathersby

THE BOSTON THEATRE

E. A. Sothern and Amy Roselle

Woman; Sam Wax, a Drunken Cobbler; and Bret Harte's

Heathen Chinee. He also
gave imitations of Charles
Feehter, Edwin Forrest,
Charlotte Cushman, Stuart
Robson, and others.

E. A. Sothern, supported

by Amy Roselle, Charles

Wheatleigh, and the regular

"$&j\ 9 ' company, presented "Our

American Cousin" for three
weeks, commencing Decem-
ber 18.

Edith O'Gorman, the es-
caped nun, lectured on "Convent Life"
on Sunday evening, January 7, 1872.

English opera followed on January 8,
1872, the prominent artists being Pa-
repa Rosa, Jennie Van Zandt, Mr. and
Mrs. Seguin, Clara Doria, Tom Karl,
Gus Hall, Aynsley Cook, William Cas-
tle, and S. C. Campbell. This company
remained three weeks, presenting for
novelties, "Satanella," "La Gazza La-
dra" (The Maid and the Magpie), and
"The Water Carrier."

Frank Mayo, supported by Charles T.
Parsloe and the stock company, played a
fortnight's engagement in " The Streets
of New York," closing on February 17. Christine Nils

182

sson as Mignon

THE SEASON OF 1871-72

Delehanty and Hengler and the Midget Sniffen introduced
their specialties in the Union Square scene.

The Strakosch Italian Opera Company returned on Febru-
ary 19 for a fortnight's stay, during which time Ambroise
Thomas's opera, "Mignon" had its first three presentations in
Boston. Christine Nilsson assumed the title role, Mile. Leon
Duval, Victor Capoul, Feretti, and Jamet being also in the cast.
On the afternoon and evening of February 22 and the even-
ing of February 24, William Creswick was seen in " Old Noll,"
and on the evening of February 29 he played "Hamlet."

"The Black Crook" received its first presentation in this
theatre on March 4, 1872, although it had an extended run
at the Continental Theatre, some years previously. The pro-
duction was that of Jarrett and Palmer and the run was five
weeks. The cast was as follows :

Count Wolfenstein W. C. Pope.

Rudolphe, a poor artist J. J. Sullivan.

Von Puffengruntz, the Count's Steward G. W. Wilson.

Hertzog, surnamed the Black Crook,

an alchemist Louis Aldrich.

Greppo, his servant D. J. Maguinnis.

Dragonfln, Master Martin.

Zamiel, the Arch Fiend A. Leonard.

Wolfgar, a Gypsy ruffian J. H. Connor.

Caspar, a peasant F. Rooney.

Redglare, the recording demon A. Fleming.

Skuldawelp, familiar to Hertzog W. Hennesey.

Stalacta, Queen of the Golden Realm Miss Kate Santley.

Amina, betrothed to Rudolphe Miss Dora Goldthvvaite.

Dame Barbara, her foster mother Mrs. Chas. Poole.

Carline, Amina's maid Miss Rachel Noah.

Rosetta, a peasant Miss Emma Smiley.

183

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The ballet was led by
Pierina Sassi, with Bonni
Bambini, Clotilde Mar-
chesi, Cora Adrienne,
and Bedon Felieita as
secondas. The special-
ties included the Majil-
tons, grotesque dancers,
the St. Felix Infant Bal-
let, the Egyptian Jug-
lers, Hassan, Anak, and

The Majiltons Frank, Charles, and Marie

Selim, Professor Smith
and his children gym-
nasts, Professor Sam-
well's Troupe of Trained
Animals, the Celebrated

Clown Dog Grimaldi, and Professor Smith's Illuminated
Fountain and Cloud Veil with the Hues of Sunset. During
the engagement Master Martin, the
sprite, was injured and his place was
taken by D. J. Maguinnis, whose part

of Greppo

was filled by

George W.

Wilson, he in

turn being

replaced by

J. W. Hague

as Puffen-

gruntz.

184

Mrs. John Wood

St. Felix Infant Ballet

THE SEASON OF 1871-72

Oliver Doud Byron then first introduced "Across the Con
tinent" to Boston playgoers, opening on April 8 and re-
maining two weeks.

Mrs. John Wood and
the St. James Theatre
Company of London
were seen on April 22
for one week m bur-
lesques and farces, their
offering's being; " La Belle
Sauvage," "Poll and
Partner Joe/' "To
Oblige Benson," and
" Jenny Lind." The com-
pany included Emily
Weston, Julian Cross,
G. W. Anson, A. W.
Young, and Harry Cox.

Maggie Mitchell's an-

on ver Doud Byron

v &&

nual engagement was for three weeks from April 29, her
plays being "Fanchon," "Jane Eyre," and "The Pearl of
Savoy."

Joseph Jefferson filled his usual three weeks to his cus-
tomary heavy receipts in " Rip Van Winkle," closing on June 1.

John M. Ward had a benefit on May 18, when John H.
Selwyn played in "The Little Treasure" and Mile. Zoe was
seen in "The Wept of Wish-ton- Wish."

On Saturday evening, May 25, Mrs. J. B. Booth had a
benefit, appearing with her husband, in The Robbers."
General F. J. Lippitt and Miss Nina Glover were also seen in

185

THE BOSTON THEATRE

'Monsieur Jacques" and the Boston Chorus Club was heard
in songs.

On Monday, June 3, 1872, the Vokes Family made their
first Boston appearance, supported by Mr. and Mrs. John L.
Hall and some members of the Boston Theatre Company.
The bill on this occasion consisted of "Our Nelly" and "The
Belles of the Kitchen," the Vokeses appearing only in the latter
piece which was cast as follows :

THE BELLES OF THE KITCHEN

Written, adapted, arranged and performed exclusively by themselves, as
played more than a thousand nights by them in the principal theatres
of Great Britain and Ireland : and during the past two months with
unprecedented success at the Union Square Theatre, New York.
Illustrating the High Tints in the Lower Regions, or, the Doings of
Domestics in the absence of their employers.

Lucinda Scrubbs, a Lady's Maid Miss Jessie Vokes.

Mary, a House Maid Miss Victoria Vokes.

Barbara, a Kitchen Maid Miss Rosina Vokes.

Timotheus Gibbs, an Apothecary's Clerk Mr. Fred Vokes.

Wiggins, a Hair Dresser Mr. Fawdon Vokes.

In the course of the piece will be introduced specimens of

HIGH TRAGEDY, LOW COMEDY, OPERA AND BALLET.

The audience will please retain their seats during the exhibition of
the Prismatic Waters, which concludes the entertainment.

"The Belles of the Kitchen" ran four weeks, "The Wind-
mill" being played with it in the second week, " The Spitfire"
the third, and " The Lottery Ticket," the fourth. The Vokeses
then were seen for two more weeks in "The Wrong Man in
the Right Place." Jennie Lee, George W. Howard, J. P.

186

-3

j>.

i i

-t-

c3~

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Burnett, and others were seen with them in "Betsy Baker"
for one week and "Checkmates" for another.

The Irish National Band, which had come across the water
to play at the World's Peace Jubilee in this city, appeared in
concert on Sunday, July 14, and the season closed with a bene-
fit to H. A. M'Glenen on Monday evening, July 15, the
volunteers including Mile. Morlacchi, Joseph Proctor, W. J.
LeMoyne, G. Swaine Buckley, Sam B. Villa, Delehanty and
Hengler, Harry Bryant the ventriloquist, and others.

Ned Buntline, Buffalo Bill, and Texas Jack

CHAPTER XXI

THE SEASON OF 1872-73

During the season of 1872-73 H. S. Murdoch, H. A.
Weaver, R. J. Dillon, C. A. Stedman, E. B. Holmes,
J. B, Bradford, Harry Lampee, May Fiske, Viola Vance, and
Mrs. H. A. Weaver were new members of the company,
Viola Vance was not long at the theatre when she was taken
ill and died of smallpox, during the epidemic of 1872-73.
May Fiske was afterward at the head of an organization called
May Fiske's Blondes.

The Band of the Garde Republicaine of Paris gave four
concerts on the evenings of August 5, 6, and 8, and the after-
noon of the 7th to large houses.

189

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Kit and the Beats
C. Leslie Allen, F. S. Chanfrau, 1). J.

Maguinnis

engagement, during which he
produced "The Red Pocket-
Book," a play with a remark-
able shipwreck scene, and Dr.
Bird's ever-attractive "Nick of
the Woods."

On September 23, 1872, F.
S. Chanfrau began the first of
his regular autumnal visits in
'Kit, the Arkansas Traveller,"
remaining; three weeks. For
thirteen consecutive years Mr.

190

Lisa Weber and a bur-
lesque troupe, which in-
cluded Pauline Markham,
Emma Moshier, Hetty
Tracy, Cassie Troy, Hattie
O'Neil, George Atkins,
Welsh Edwards, H. S. Mur-
doch, and C. W. Butler,
opened the season on Au-
gust 19 and remained two
weeks, presenting "Paris,"
"Ernani,""Ixion,"and"A
Quiet Family."

Joseph Proctor began on
September 2 a three weeks'

Lester Wallack

THE SEASON OF 1872-73

Chanfrau played "Kit" her
his death in 1884. The im-
pression is widespread that
"Kit" opened the season
each year, but, strange to
say, it never was the first
attraction of the season.
The drawing power of
'Kit" lay not so much in
the play itself as in its num-
ber of excellent parts, so well
acted by Mr. Chanfrau and
the various members of the
Boston Theatre Company.
Lester Wallack, supported
by Efh'e Germon and the

e in September, continuing until

Father Tom Burke

Charlotte Cushman

stock company, commenced
on October 14 a three weeks'
engagement in " Rosedale,"
"Ours," and "John Garth."
In "Ours" he had the assist-
ance of Gilmore's Band.

Charlotte Cushman began
on November 4 a stay of three
weeks, during which she played
in "Macbeth," "Guv Man-
nering," '' Henry VIII," and
''Simpson and Co."

191

THE BOSTON THEATRE

On Saturday evening, November 9, 1872. while the com-
pany was playing "Nobody's Daughter" and "Paddy Miles's

Boy," the great Boston fire broke out,
burning over a large part of the busi-
ness district of the city and causing
several days' interruption of the busi-
ness of the theatre, owing to the shut-
ting-off of the gas in the downtown
section of the city,
but Miss Cushman
continued her en-

gagement

o n

Pauline Lucca

Mrs. Thomas Barry

Thursday, Novem-
ber 14, as soon as
it was possible to
light the theatre.
Father Tom Burke lectured on the
evening of Sunday, November 24.

"The Cataract of the Gan-
ges," introducing the stud of
John H. Murray's Circus, was
produced on November 25 and
ran five weeks, "Mazeppa"
being added to the bill for the
final week.

"The Streets of New York"
was given for the week of De-
cember 30.

On Tuesday, January 7,
W. II. Bartholomew Max Maretzek's Grand Italian

192

THE SEASON OF 1872-73

Opera began a three weeks' engagement, the principals being
Pauline Lucca, Clara Louise Kellogg, Senora Sanz, Leoni
Lavielli, Clara Doria, Vizzani, Ronconi, Dubreuil, Sparapani,
Moriami, Jamet, Abrugnedo, and Reiehardt. There were no
novelties in their repertoire.

On Wednesday afternoon, January 15, Stuart Robson
appeared in ''Everybody's Friend," "Ten Minutes' Talk with
Little Boys and Girls," and "The Skeleton Captain, or Blue-
Eyed William." On Saturday evening, January 18, he played
in one act of "The Rivals,"
" Hamlet, or the Wearing of
the Black," "The Wander-
ing Minstrel," and "The
Spitfire."

Oliver Doud Byron pre-
sented "Across the Contin-
ent" for the week of Jan-
uary 27 and on Saturday
evening, February 1, "Nick
of the Woods" was added *

to the bill, Mr. Byron being
the Jibbenainosay.

Adelaide Neilson made
her Boston debut on Feb-
ruary 3, 1873, in "Romeo and Juliet," with Joseph Wheelock
as Romeo. The following week she played Rosalind in " As
You Like It," H. S. Murdoch being the Orlando, and on the
evenings of February 13. 14, and 15, she again was seen as
Juliet, with Mr. Murdoch as Romeo.

On the afternoon of Friday, February 7, 1873, a compli-

James S. Maffitt

19:

THE BOSTON THEATRE

mentary benefit was given to Thomas Barry, the first manager
of the theatre, he being at this time a very old man and an
invalid. The entire receipts, $3126.50, were given to Mr.
Barry. The stockholders waived their rights for this occa-
sion, with the exception of

one single individual, who
insisted on his right to save
one dollar. The bill for
the benefit included Mrs.
Thomas Barry, C. Leslie
Allen, W. R. Floyd, W. E.
Sheridan, and D. Harkins
in scenes from " The School
for Scandal." Adelaide
Neilson recited a poem by
Tennyson. Stuart Robson,
supported by H. S. Mur-
doch, C. H. Frye, G. Le-
vick, and Mrs. H. A.
Weaver, played "Camille,
or the Cracked Heart."
C. W. Couldock recited "The Vagabonds." Maffitt and Bar-
tholomew and the Howard Athenaeum Company presented
their wonderful pantomime, " The Comanches." Louis Aldrich
recited "The Bridge of Sighs"; and Mary Shaw, an old
favorite, returned to the stage to play in " Jenny Lind," sup-
ported by members of the Boston Theatre Company.

Charles R. Thorne, Jr., began on February 17 a two weeks'

engagement, having the Majiltons as an added attraction.

'The Three Guardsmen" filled the first week, while the

194

Adelaide Neilson

THE SEASON OF 1872-73

second was divided between "Amos Clarke," 'The Octo-
roon," and "Foul Play."

Buffalo Bill (W. F. Cody), Texas Jack (J. B. Omohundro),
Ned Buntline (E. Z. C. Judson), and Mile. Morlacchi next
appeared for a single week in "The Scouts of the Plains," to
the unrepressed delight of top-heavy houses. This was the
first appearance of Buffalo Bill and Texas Jack in this city.

Maggie Mitchell, supported by L. R. She well, played her
annual three weeks' engagement, beginning March 10, in
"Jane Eyre," 'Fanchon," 'The Pearl of Savoy," and "Little
Barefoot."

Edwin Adams opened on March 31 in "Enoch Arden,"
staying two weeks, and offering
also " The Marble Heart," " Wild
Oats," "Black -Eyed Susan,"
and " The Drunkard."

Mrs. F. S. Chanfrau followed
on April 14 in "Two Wives,"
"Christie Johnstone," and
"Dora," her stay continuing
two weeks. Mrs. Chanfrau has
since left the stage and is now
practicing as a Christian Science
healer in Philadelphia.

"Under the Gaslight" was
given by the stock company for
the week of April 28, the Carroll
family of dancers appearing also

in their specialty, and in the week of May 5, the company
were seen in "Jack Harkaway."

195

Mrs. Chanfrau as Dora

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Luke Schoolcraft

For the week of May 12 Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Albaugh, the
latter a sister of Maggie Mitchell, were seen in "Poverty
Flat."

At the farewell benefit to Mrs. J. B. Booth on Saturday

evening, May 10, 1873, Mrs. J.
H. C. Richmond of New Bedford
made her first appearance on the
stage, essaying the character of
Juliana in "The Honeymoon," the
beneficiary being the Volante. Mrs.
Booth was also seen in " Asmodeus,
or the Little Devil's Share," and
D. J. Maguinnis played " The
Limerick Boy."

W. E. Sheridan had a benefit on
May 17, appearing in "The Marble
Heart," supported by Mrs. J. B. Booth and J. W. Albaugh.
The Vokes Family began on May 19 a five weeks' engage-
ment in "The Belles of the Kitchen," "Fun in a Fog," "The
Wrong Man in the Right Place," "Nan, the Good-for-No-
thing," and 'Phobus' Fix." For the week of June 9 they
were reinforced by John T. Raymond and F. F. Mackay in
"Heep vs. Micawber."

On the morning of Decoration Day, May 30, a fire broke
out near the Globe Theatre and destroyed that theatre and
a number of other buildings. In consequence, the gas was
shut off in the Washington Street main, but the gasman of
the Boston Theatre connected his pipes with the main on
West Street and the performance was given on time.

At the benefit of the Vokes Family on Friday evening, June

196

THE SEASON OF 1872-73

20, 1873, in addition to "Fun in a Fog," "Black-Eyed Susan"
was played, with Louis Aldrich as William, H. S. Murdoch as
Captain Crosstree, Fred Yokes as Jacob Twig, George W.
Wilson as Gnatbrain, Jessie Yokes as Susan, and Victoria
Yokes as Dolly Mayflower. Miss Victoria Yokes met with an
accident on this occasion which resulted in a broken arm.

H. A. M'Glenen's benefit on Saturday evening, June 21,
introduced the Yokes Family, John T. Raymond, John
Gilbert, Ida Savory, Lillie Wilkinson, the California Quar-
tette (Welling Brothers and J. W. Freeth), and members of
the Boston Theatre Company.

R. W. Butler's Great New York Combination opened on
June 23 and remained two weeks, the stars being Sophie and
Irene Worrell, the Zanfretta Troupe,
Raphael Abecco the harpist, Luke
Schoolcraft, George H. Coes, Joe
Lang, Add Ryman, Harry Hunter,
George F. Ketchum, Sam Holds-
worth, George and Charles Reynolds,
Charles and Carrie Austin, Jennie
Kimball, Minnie Jackson, Helene
Smith, Laura LeClaire, the Rem-
melsberg Sisters, the Caron Family,
and Zegrino and Moulton.

On the afternoon of Monday, June 30, 1873, Napier
Lothian had a benefit at which the Yokes Family appeared
minus Victoria, who was prevented by her injury. The stock
company played "A Quiet Family" ; Brown's Brigade Band,
the Cornet Quartette from Gilmore's Band, and an orchestra
of forty were heard. Among other selections the orchestra

197

George H. Coes

THE BOSTON THEATRE

played the Evangeline March, composed by Edward E. Rice
and dedicated to James Alexander of the Cunard Steamship
Company. Mr. Rice was at that time in the employ of the
Cunard Company. His extravaganza, "Evangeline," did not
reach the stage until a year later, when it was seen at Niblo's

Garden, New York.
R. W. Butler left
for New York on
the evening of Sat-
urday, July 5, and
his company scat-
tered. A portion,
however, remained
and continued two
weeks longer to

rftf^L^ m light business.

"^ t ^p^B W Josh Hart's Com

pany from the The-
atre Comique, New
York, played from
July 21 to August 16,
thus closing a very
long season. The
members of this
company were John Hart, John Wild, Frank Kerns, Cool Bur-
gess, Harrigan and Hart, Larry Tooley, J. H. Budworth, John
Queen, G.L. Stout, James Bradley, E. D. Gooding, Dave Bra-
ham, John Williams, O'Reardon, Mrs. Yeamans, Jennie Yea-
mans, Jennie Hughes, Ada Wray, Kitty O'Neil, and Minnie
Loder. During their stay a sketch called "The Gripsack"

198

Harrigan and Hart

THE SEASON OF 1872-73

was played by Frank Kerns, John Wild, and G. L. Stout. The
programme had the following note: " ' Gripsack' is a theatrical
term and used by the members of the profession to initiate
new beginners. It consists of a large bag, generally filled with
old pieces of iron, weighing from seventy-five to one hundred
and fifty pounds, which the applicant for histrionic honors is
requested to carry to a rival theatre, accompanied with a letter
which requests some member of the company to keep him
going. The unfortunate dupe, after making the rounds of the
various theatres, generally comes to the conclusion that the
road to theatrical fame is of most rocky description and re-
quires more manual labor than all others combined." It was
from this theatrical term that the name, "gripsack," now in
common use, meaning any ordinary hand-satchel, was orig-
inated, though it did not reach the general public until many
years after this programme was printed.

Limington R. Shewell

CHAPTER XXII

THE SEASON OF 1873-74

JB. Booth retired from the management of the Boston
Theatre in 1873 and was succeeded by L. R. Shewell, who
engaged the following company: H. S. Murdoch, J. H. Fitz-
patrick, C. Leslie Allen, D. J. Maguinnis, J. W. Hague, T.

200

THE SEASON OF 1873-74

M. Hunter, W. H. Norton, George W. Wilson, Rufus Scott,
Harry Richmond, R. J. Dillon, E. B. Holmes, J. O. Stevens,
J. W. Gardiner, Harvey
Collins, William Raynor,
Charles Madden, Mrs.
Thomas Barry, Olivia Rand,
Blanche Hayden, Mrs.
Charles Poole, Mrs. C. L.
Allen, Hattie Stevens, Marie
Uart, Carrie Prescott, Mar-
ion Follett, Annie Winslow,
Emma Smiley, Iola Smiley,
Carrie Jones, Misses Hoff-
man and Morgan. Charles
S. Getz became the scenic
artist, with
John Sommer

as assistant, the working staff other-
/- v wise remaining as before.

The season opened on September 1
with two weeks of "Polaris, or the
Northern Lights," acted by Mr.
Shewell and members of the regular
company.

F. S. Chanfrau, in " Kit, the Arkan-
saw Traveller," followed on Septem-
ber 15 for three weeks.

Edwin Booth in tragic repertoire
played three weeks, beginning Octo-

Tamberlik uer 6 -

Erminie Rudersdorf

201

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The Maretzek Italian Opera Company followed for a
fortnight, the company being headed by Pauline Lneca,

lima di Murska, Madame Ru-
dersdorf (who was the mother of
Richard Mansfield), Louise Mar-
chetti, Natali Testa, Lichtmay,
Tamberlik, Rossi-Galli, Jamet, and
Vizzani. Their list of operas con-
tained nothing that was new. Ma-
dame Rudersdorf 's first appearance
in opera in America was made
here on October 30, 1873, as Leo-
nora, in "II Trovatore," Signor

Tamberlik being the Manrico.

Tommaso Salvini

Mr. and
Mrs. W. J.

Florence opened on November 10 for
two weeks in "Inshavogue," "The
Yankee Housekeeper," 'The Ticket
of Leave Man," 'The Irish Lion,"
"Thrice Married," "The Returned
Volunteer," and "Eileen Oge."

Tommaso Salvini made his Boston
debut on November 24, 1873, remain-
ing but one week. He was supported
by his brother and an Italian com-
pany and played in " Othello," " Sam-
son," 'David Garrick," "'Civil
Death," and "Hamlet."

Charles Fechter then appeared for

202

Emma Smiley and Carrie Jones
in " The Naiad Queen "

THE SEASON OF 1873-74

on the evening; of December 13 for

Charles S. Getz

one week in "Hamlet," "Don Ca?sar de Bazan," 'Ruy Bias,"
and "The Lady of Lyons."

On the afternoon of Wednesday,
December 8, Salvini was again seen in
"Othello."

Charlotte Cushman began on Decem-
ber 3 a week of "Guy Mannering" and
"Henry VIII," the theatre being closed

a
rehearsal of the com-
ing production. This
was Miss Cushman's

last engagement in this theatre, her final
role being Meg Merrilies in " Guy Manner-
ing," on Saturday afternoon, December 13,
1873.

"The Naiad Queen" was given a spec-
tacular presentation on December 15 and
ran five weeks. The ballet introduced the entire Kiralfy family,
Imre, Bolossy, Haniola, Emilie, Katie,
and Arnold, besides two Italian pre-
mieres, Boni and Giavazzi. The special-
ties included Felix Regamey the French
caricaturist. Young Americus the child
violinist (who died suddenly during this
engagement), the Ulm Sisters, and the
youthful Vaidis Sisters, trapeze perform-
ers, who are still before the public as
aerial artists. A boy choir sang "Spring,
Gentle Spring," one of its members

203

Del Puente

Victor Maurel

THE BOSTON THEATRE

being a schoolboy named Lawrence McCarty, who was after-
ward the manager of the
theatre.

Frank Mayo played " Davy
Crockett" for the first time
in this theatre on January
19, 1874, continuing two
weeks.

The Strakosch Italian Op-
era Company began a fort-
night's season on February
3, with Nilsson, Cary, Tor-

riani, Campanini, Del Pu-

/,. .^r y' ' % f " m_ ' ^ ^ *-

' ente, Capoul, and Victor

Frank Mayo as Davy Crockett

Maurel, in "The Huguenots,"
"Mignon," "Aida," "Lucia,"
"Faust," "II Trovatore,"
"Martha," and "Don Gio-
vanni." "Aida" had its first
Boston presentation on the
evening of February 5, 1874.

E. A. Sothern followed on
February 16 for two weeks of
"Our American Cousin" and
a third of "Brother Sam,"
" Lord Dundreary Married
and Settled," "David Gar-
rick," and "A Regular Fix."

204

Italo Campanini

THE SEASON OF 1873-74

He brought with him his son Lytton Sothern, Vining Bow-
ers, and Minnie Walton.

The Kellogg English Opera
Company began on March 9 a
fortnight's stay, the company
including Clara Louise Kellogg,
Jennie Van Zandt, Zelda Seguin,
Annie Starbird, William Carlton,
Joseph Maas, Eugene Clarke,
Theodore Habelmann, G. F. Hall,
Henry Peakes, and E. Seguin.
"Rigoletto" was the only novelty
that was offered.

Maggie Mitchell began her Annie Louise Cary

yearly three weeks' stay on
March 23, "Jane Eyre,"
"The Pearl of Savoy,"
"Fanchon," and "Little
Barefoot" being given.

D. J. Maguinnis had a
benefit on the evening of
April 11, 1874, when, among
other features, he and Olivia
Rand sang " The Maguinnis
Cadets." Although his name
was not on the bill, Quincy
Kilby appeared in black face
as the target-bearer of the
Cadets.

Marie Aimee

205

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Marie Aimee and her French Opera Company in the week

of April 13 sang "La Fille de Ma-
dame Angot" for the first time in
this city, also singing "Les Cent
Vierges," 'La Vie Parisienne," "Le
Petit Faust, " and "La Grande
Duchesse."

Carlotta Leclercq first appeared
here as an individual star on April
20 in "The New Magdalen." The
next week she presented "Fate,
or Woman's Trials," and 'East
Lynne."

Salvini returned on May 4, play-
in"; Ine

Gladiator,"
"Hamlet,"
"Othello," "Elizabeth," and
"Ingomar," on Monday, Tues-
day, Thursday, and Friday even-
ings and Saturday afternoon,
while Miss Leclercq played on
Wednesday afternoon and
evening and on Saturday even-
ing, in "The New Magdalen,"
"Masks and Faces," "A Sheep
in Wolf's Clothing," and "The
Stranger."

"The Lottery of Life," with
Harry Murdoch in the role of Torriani

206

Charley Backus

THE SEASON OF 1873-74

i pr

Terry the Swell, and Birch, Wambold, and Backus's San
Francisco Minstrels as an ad-
ditional feature, was seen for
four days beginning May 13,
while the following w T eek was
filled by the stock company
in benefits, etc.

Lawrence Barrett filled the
week of May 25 in "Riche-
lieu," " Hamlet," and " Julius
Caesar."

At H. A. M'Glenen's bene-
fit, on Wednesday afternoon,
May 27, 1874, Kate Field
made her first appearance
on the theatrical stage, recit-
ing "The Bridge of Sighs."

ii' '*' ~ r -

William H. Crane

Alice Oates

Mrs. James A.
Oates and her Comic
Opera Company be-
gan on June 1 a fort-
night's engagement
in which she pre-
sented "The Grand
Duchess," "TheBa-
vards," "Madame
Angot's Child," and
"Fortunio." Her

207

THE BOSTON THEATRE

principal comedian at

Alexander Hermann

the Famous Parisian
Les Petits Rousselles,
100 Faces ; the
Brown Veloci-
pede Troupe;
Carlo Benedetti,
the Sword-Swal-
low e r ; J . B .
Johnson, the
Champion Swim-
mer of the World ;
Don Fe r r a y r a,
the Man Flute;
Tom Lovell, the
Clown ; and Pro-
fessor Brown, "in
his feats of dar-
ing and surprising

this time was William H. Crane, since
grown into a very popular star.

Buffalo Bill, Texas Jack, and Mile.
Morlacchi next played 'The Scouts
of the Plains" for the week of June
1.5.

Schumann's Transatlantic Novelty
Company, one of the best specialty
organizations ever seen in this city,
occupied the theatre for three weeks,
opening on June 22. The members
of the organization were Beckmann,
Juggler; ^} ie Almonte Brothers and

Gymnasts ; Herr Schuhe, the Man with

Adelaide Hermann in 1874
20S

THE SEASON OF 1873-74

balancing on the Byciele" (note the spelling of the last word).

It is generally supposed that the bicycle was first introduced

into America at the time of the

Philadelphia Centennial Exposi-
tion in 1876, but Professor Brown

at this time rode a typical high

wheel, the young ladies of his

troupe riding the old-fashioned

velocipede, .which was introduced

into this country by the Hanlon

Brothers in 1868. Hermann the

magician joined the company for

its third week, and on Monday,

July 13, Professor Hermann be-
gan a week of magic, giving the

entire per-
formance
h i m s e 1 f .
Shortly af-
ter this he

married Miss Addie Scarsey, a veloci-
pede rider in Professor Brown's troupe.
She proved a most devoted wife and
is the Madame Adelaide Hermann
who is now presenting a brilliant

W magical act in the vaudeville theatres.

Professor Hermann died in 1898.

The theatre was closed the week of
July 20, but reopened on July 27 with
Josh Hart's Theatre Comique Com-

209

Billy Birch

R. M. (Dick) Carroll

THE BOSTON THEATRE

bination (from 514 Broadway, New York). For the first week
the principal members of this organization were Harrigan
and Hart, Mackin and Wilson, John Wild, Billy Carter,
Master Martin, James McKee, Jennie Engle, Alice Bennett,
Bertha and Ida Foy, Nully Pieris, James Bradley, G. L.
Stout, and Dave Braham and his orchestra. This engage-
ment lasted five weeks, such other artists being added as
J. H. Budworth, Kitty O'Neil, Cool Burgess, Lillie Wilkinson,
Rachel Cantor, J. W. McAndrews, Dick Carroll and Sons,
and Dimond and Ryan.

Francis Wilson, the present star in comedy and comic
opera, was the Wilson of Mackin and W 7 ilson, who were then
billed as the " Champion Song and Dance Artists."

The season closed on August 22, but the theatre reopened
on the following Mondav for the next regular season.

A benefit was given on Thursday, July 16, to the door-
keepers and ushers, whose names were given in the pro-
gramme as follows : " Andrew G. Wilcutt, Benjamin G. Gavett,
and John Graham, Doorkeepers. W. Henry Onthank, Eu-
gene Foster, Frank B. Haynes, Erving J. Holmes, H. B. Mc-
Connell, Edward Batty, and William Emery, Ushers. Daniel
Hurley, Ticket Seller. William Riley, Bill Distributer.
Charles T. F. Smith, Opera-Glasses. Cornelius Murphy,
Stage Doorkeeper."

CHAPTER XXIII

THE SEASON OF 1874-75

This season the company was again managed by L. R.
Shewell and included Alexander Fitzgerald, W. H. Nor-
ton, Gustavus Levick, Rufus Scott, C. Leslie Allen, D. J.
Maguinnis, H. Rees Davies, E. B. Holmes, J. W. Taylor,
R. J. Dillon, George Boles, George W. Wilson, H. A. Cripps,
S. E. Springer, T. M. Hunter, J. P. Wild, N. Lothian, Jr.,
G. A. Selwyn, Mrs. Thomas Barry, Olivia Rand, Mrs. C. L.
Allen, Lizzie Hunt, Nellie Downing, Mrs. T. M. lunter,
Mrs. Charles Poole, Blanche
Hay den, Mrs. A. Fitzger-
ald, Carrie Prescott, Annie
Winslow, Misses Smiley,
Henley, and Wilson. L. R.
Shewell afterward married
Olivia Rand of this com-
pany.

The season opened on
August 24, with Frank
Mayo in one week of " Davy
Crockett" and one week of
" The Streets of New York."
F. S. Chanfrau followed on
September 14 with three

weeks of "Kit." Carlotta Lawrence Barrett as The Man o' Airlie

211

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Charles H. Vandenhoff

Leclercq then played a single week's engagement in 'The

New Magdalen' and "East
Lynne."

'Belle Lamar," a war drama
by Dion Boucicault, was pre-
sented by the stock company
for three weeks, commencing
October 12.

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Wil-
liams began a fortnight's en-
gagement on November 2, re-
viving 'The Connie Soogah"
and "The Fairy Circle." Car-
lotta Leclerq then returned for
another six days, in the course of which she was seen in " The
New Magdalen," "Masks and Faces," "East Lynne," and
"The Hunchback." For the week of November 23 the regu-
lar company played " Lost
at Sea."

Mrs. Oatesandher Comic
Opera Company sang" Ma-
dame Angot's Child" the
week of November 30 and
"Girofle Girofla" the week
of December 7.

The spectacle of "Azael,
the Prodigal," with Julia
Seaman featured as Azael,
was played the fortnight of
December 14 and 21.

212

George W. Wilson

THE SEASON OF 1874-75

George Riddle

Lotta presented "Zip" and " Musette" for the weeks of De-
cember 28, January 4 and 11.
Maggie Mitchell's custom-
ary three weeks began on
January 18, her offerings be-
ing "Fanchon," "The Pearl
of Savoy," "Lorle," and "Lit-
tle Barefoot."

C. Leslie Allen had a benefit
on January 23, 1875, at which N&
Maurice Barrymore made his
first appearance in this coun-
try, playing Ray Trafford in
"Under the Gaslight/'

On Saturday evening, January 30, 1875, George Riddle
made his first appearance as an actor, playing Romeo to the
Juliet of Mrs. Thomas Barry.

Gilmore's Band was heard on Sunday,
January 31, when Emma C. Thursby
was the soprano soloist.

At L. R. Shewell's benefit on Febru-
ary 6, Maggie Mitchell played Parthenia
to his Ingomar.

Lester Wallack, assisted by Charles H.
Vandenhoff and Effie Germon, came
next for two weeks of 'Rosedale" and
Ours.

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence filled the
w^eek of February 22 with "The Colleen Bawn" and "The
Yankee Housekeeper."

213

Maurice Barrymore

THE BOSTON THEATRE

N. C. Goodwin, Jr,

Billy Emerson and Bobby Newcomb in 1866

Lawrence Barrett appeared for the week of March 1 in
"Richelieu," "Hamlet," "The Merchant of Venice," "The
Lady of Lyons," and "Julius Csesar," and on the following
week he was seen in perhaps his greatest role, Jamie Harebell,
in "The Man o' Airlie."

Edwin Booth began on March 15 a three weeks' stay in his
favorite legitimate repertoire.

Dion Boucicault's Irish drama, "The Shaughraun," was
first seen here on April 5, 1875, and ran four weeks, with the

following cast :

Captain Molyneux
Robert Ffolliott
Father Dolan
Corry Kin chela
Harvey Duff
Conn the Shaughraun
Sergeant Jones

M. H. Barry more.
Gustavus Leviek.

C. L. Allen.
Alex. Fitzgerald.

D. J. Maguinnis.
Mr. Boucicault.
R. J. Dillon.

214

THE SEASON OF 1874-75

Sullivan

Reilly

Mangan

Doyle

Donovan

Arte O'Neal

Claire Ffolliott

Mrs. O'Kelly

Moya

Bridget Madigan

George W. Wilson.
H. Rees Davies.
S. E. Springer.
George Boles.
H. A. Cripps.
Ida Savory.
Mrs. Thos. Barry.
Mrs. Chas. Poole.
Mrs. T. M. Hunter.
Mrs. C. L. Allen.
Nellie Downing.

Nancy Malone

Joseph Jefferson played but two weeks this season, his
opening date being May 3 and the play naturally being "Rip
Van Winkle."

Frank Mayo again appeared
in "Davy Crockett" the week
of May 17 and "The Streets of
New York" the week of May 24.

The next six days were filled
by the stock company in bene-
fits to D. J. Maguinnis, Olivia
Rand, the doorkeepers and ush-
ers, H. A. M'Glenen. L. R.
Shewell, and John M. Ward.

At Mr. Ward's benefit N. C.
Goodwin, Jr., then a local ama-
teur, appeared as Jerry Clip in
"The Widow's Victim," and in-
troduced his imitations of cele-
brated actors. The drama,''* Jack
Sheppard," was also given, with

215

Dion Boucicault as Conn the
Shaughraun

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Emma Thursby

Mrs. T. M. Hunter as Jack Sheppard in the first act, Olivia

Rand in the same character in
the second, and Gustavus Le-
vick in the third.

Birch, Wambold, and Backus'
San Francisco Minstrels were the
attraction for the week of June
7, the principal features being
Billy Birch, Charley Backus,
Dave Wambold, Add Ryman,
,*, the great Ricardo, and Mackin

f and Wilson.
/ The season continued with a

two weeks' stay of Auber's Mu-
sical and Terpsichorean Drama,
in two acts, entitled "La Bayadere," interpreted by Mile.
Morlacchi and her company under the
management of J. B. Omohundro,
"Texas Jack," who had recently be-
come the husband of Mile. Morlacchi.
The cast included Eugene Clarke,
Thomas Bartleman, Adolphine Estelle,
Russell S. Glover, and Cora Adriana.
The dancers were Lizzie Dale, Josie At-
kinson, Amelia Huck, May Bogart, Hat-
tie Smith, Pauline Smith, Saidee Smith,
Mile. Evers, Emma Mars, Julia Melville,
Carrie Prescott, Evaline Stetson, May

Thomas, Addie Hearne, Iola Smiley, Emma Smiley, Marion
Follett, Hattie Follett, Annie Winslow, and Marie Henley.

w f

H. S. Murdoch

216

THE SEASON OF 1874-75

Emerson's California Minstrels filled two weeks beginning
July 5, the principals being Billy Emerson, Ben Cotton, Billy
Rice, Little Mac, Billy Arlington, George Richards, Mackin
and Wilson, J. R. Kemble, Ernest Linden, J. F. Oberist,
Fred Walz, W. H. Tilla, and R. G. Russell.

Benjamin W. Thayer

CHAPTER XXIV

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

The company for 1875-76 consisted of L. R. Shewell, P. A.
Anderson, C. Leslie Allen, D. J. Maguinnis, O. H. Barr,
G. W. Wilson, W. H. Norton, Gustavus Levick, M. D. Rebus,
H. Rees Davies, T. M. Hunter, N. Lothian, Jr., H. A. Cripps,
J. W. Taylor, Joseph Mitchell, J. Bowen, Mrs. Thomas Barry,
Olivia Rand, Mrs. Charles Poole, Mrs. T. M. Hunter, Mrs.
C. L. Allen, Blanche Hayden, Lizzie Hunt, Nellie Downing,
Carrie Prescott, Annie Winslow, Emma Smiley, Iola Smiley,
Marie Henley, Marion Follett, Georgie Wilson, and M.
Robinson.

Katie Putnam opened the season on August 2, being under

218

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

the management of her husband, J. J. Sullivan, a former
member of the stock company.
She remained two weeks and
was seen in " The Old Curi-
osity Shop," "The Child of
the Regiment," "The Little
Rebel," "Blade o' Grass," and
"The Little Detective." On
Saturday night, August 14,
G. G. Spear also appeared,
playing the fifth act of "Rich-
ard III," he being the crook-
backed tyrant and James
(Barney) Nolan, the Rich-
mond.

Duprez and Benedict's Min-
strels filled the week of Au-
gust 16, the performers being Lew Benedict, Frank Du-

mont, George H. Edwards, R. T.
Tyrrell, J. T. Gulick, D. H. Smith,
L. Mutti, Master Lino, Frank Kent,
and Fox and Ward. Frank Dumont
has for some years been manager of
the Eleventh Street Opera House in
Philadelphia, the only permanent min-
fe strel house in America.

The theatre was closed the week of
August 23.

Frank S. Chanfrau came on August
30 for three weeks of "Kit."

219

Katie Putnam

Frank Dumont

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Lotta followed on September 20 for three weeks in " Little
Nell," "Zip," and "Musette." She brought with her as prin-
cipal comedian E. A. Locke. On Saturday evening, October
9, Napier Lothian had a benefit, when he played Billy Bokus
to Miss Lotta's Musette. Barry Sullivan made his only ap-
pearances in this city during the fortnight beginning Octo-
ber 9, 1875, being seen in
"Richelieu," "Richard
III," "Hamlet," "The
Lady of Lyons," "The
Gamester," ' Macbeth,"
and "The Stranger."

A two weeks' season of
English opera under the
management of C. D.
Hess followed, commenc-
ing October 28, the prin-
cipals being Clara Louise
Kellogg, Jenny Van Zandt,
Annis Montague (who
made her debut on Octo-
ber 26), Annie Beaumont,
Zelda Seguin, William Cas-
tle, William Carlton, Wil-
liam Hamilton, George
Conly, Henry Peakes, J. G.
Peakes, James Maas, and
W. Morgan. The operas were " Mignon," " The Huguenots,"
"The Bohemian Girl," "The Lily of Killarney," "Faust,"
"II Trovatore," "Martha,' and "Fra Diavolo."

220

Barry Sullivan

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

Edwin Byron, the Boy Tragedian,
appeared as Richard III on Satur-
day evening, November 6, 1875,
supported by the regular company.
Byron was a young man of this city,
whose true name was Nathaniel
Page. He continued on the stage
for some time, but did not gain re-
nown and died
a few years
after his de-

***

Charles F. Atkinson

but. Edwin Byron, the Boy Tragedian

George Bel-
more, an English character actor, opened
on November 8 in "The Flying
Scud," but was taken ill and played
only two nights, his part being taken
on Wednesday
and the remain-
der of the week
by D. J. Ma-
guinnis. Mr. Belmore grew rapidly worse
and died within a few days.

George Fawcett Rowe played
Micawber in "Little Em'ly" the
week of November 15, L. R.
Shewell being the Peggotty, C.
Leslie Allen the Uriah Heep, and
P. A. Anderson the Ham.

Jarrett and Palmer's produc-

221

Charles H. Yale

THE BOSTON THEATRE

tion of Shakespeare's "Henry V" was presented on Novem-
ber 22 and ran three weeks, with the following cast :

King Henry V

Rumor, as Chorus

Duke of Exeter

Earl qi Westmoreland

Earl of Warwick

Earl of Cambridge

Lord Scroop

Sir Thomas Grey

Sir Thomas Erpingham,

Gower

Macmorris

Fluellen

Jamey

Williams

Bates

Court

Nym

Bardolph

Pistol

Boy

A Herald

Charles VI, King of France

Lewis, the Dauphin

Montjoy, a French Herald

Princess Katharine

Dame Quickly

Isabel, Queen of France

Alice

George Rignold.
Mrs. Thomas Barry.

C. Leslie Allen.
J. H. Howland.
Charles J. Murphy.
George Boles.

H. A. Cripps.
E. W r iley.
J. A. Page.
J. H. Conner.
H. Rees Davies.
Frederick Thorne.
W. W. George.
P. A. Anderson.

D. H. Rees.
J. Cassells.

G. W. Wilson.
D. J. Maguinnis.
C. B. Bishop.
Frank Little.
J. Mitchell.
M. D. Rebus.
O. H. Barr.
Gustavus Levick.
Mile. Louise Dorell.
Mrs. Chas. Poole.
Marie Brabrook.
Gabrielle Du Sauld.

The success of 'Henry V" was great and it was followed
by another equally as great. 'The Two Orphans" was pro-

222

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

duced on December 13, 1875, and ran seven weeks. Kate
Claxton, Marie Wilkins, and Joseph Wheelock were especially
engaged, the entire cast being as follows :

Chevalier de Vaudrey

Count de Linieres

Pieard

Jacques Frochard

Pierre Frochard

Marquis de Presles

Doctor

La Fleur

Officer of the Guard

Martin

De Mailly

Destrees

Antoine

Louise

Henriette

La Frochard

Countess de Linieres

Sister Genevieve

Marianne

Julie

Florette

Cora

Sister Theresa

Joseph F. Wheelock.

C. Leslie Allen.

D. J. Maguinnis.
L. R. Shewell.
Gustavus Levick.
M. D. Rebus.
H. Rees Davies.
T. M. Hunter.
H. A. Cripps.
W. Josephs.

J. Wiley.
George Boles.
J. W. Taylor.
Kate Claxton.
Mrs. Thomas Barry,
Marie Wilkins.
Mrs. Chas. Poole.
Mrs. T. M. Hunter.
Blanche Hayden.
Lizzie Hunt.
Nellie Downing.
Carrie Prescott.
Emma Smiley.

Benjamin W. Thayer died during the first week of the run
of 'The Two Orphans" and the theatre was closed on the
evening of Monday, December 20, the day of his funeral.

The death of Mr. Thayer terminated the partnership of
Thayer and Tompkins and for the remainder of the season
of 1875-76 Orlando Tompkins was alone in its management.

223

THE BOSTON THEATRE

, "^

The Hyers Sisters sang in concert on the evening of Sunday,

January 16, and again on
Sunday, January 23.

John McCullough made
his first appearance here as
a star on January 31, 1876,
playing the title role in " The
Gladiator." The following
night he was unable to ap-
pear on account of illness
and the regular company
played "The Cricket on the
Hearth' and "Sarah's
Young Man." McCullough
reappeared on Wednesday
and "The Gladiator" con-
tinued the attraction for the
remainder of the week. During the following week he was
seen in "Virginius," "Richelieu," "Jack Cade," "Othello,"
"The Lady of Lyons," "Richard III,"
and "Metamora."

Concerts were given on Sunday even-
ings, February 6, 13, and 20 by Lothi-
an's Orchestra, assisted by such talent
as the Berger Family, Arbuckle the cor-
netist, the Temple Quartette, Emma
Klaizy the violoncellist, the Swedish
Quartette, Jules Levy, Laura Joyce,
Josie Maddock, Ett ; e Morgan, and

Fred Berger the harpist. Fred Berger afterward became a

224

George Rignold as Henry V

Palmieri

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

successful manager and conducted the tours of Sol Smith
Russell until the death of
that star.

E. A. Sothern supported
by Linda Dietz, came on
February 14 for two weeks,
playing " Our American
Cousin/' "David Gar-
rick," and " Dundreary
Married and Settled."

Gilmore's liana played
on Sunday, February 27.

A two weeks' season of
Italian opera under Max
Strakosch followed, with
Teresa Titiens, Teresa
Carreno Sauret, Annis
Montague, Miss Cooney,

Tom Karl, Brignoli, Tagliapietra, Orlandini, Barili, and
others. Max Maretzek was the musical director. The operas
were "Norma," "II Trovatore," "La Favorita," 'Lucrezia
Borgia,'' and "Don Giovanni."

D. J. Maguinnis had a benefit on the afternoon and evening
of Leap Year Day, February 29, 1876, playing "Lea}) Year"
and "Sketches in India" in the evening, while in the after-
noon Sothern played "Our American Cousin."

Mrs. T. M. Hunter had a benefit on Friday evening;, March
3, presenting "The Long Strike" and "Aunt Charlotte's
Maid."

On Saturday evening, March 4, what was called a " Chal-

225

Joseph Wheelock and L. R. Shewell in
" The Two Orphans "

THE BOSTON THEATRE

lenge Programme" was given. The burlesque of " Kenil-

worth" was played, with Olivia Rand, D.
J. Maguinnis, Harry Bloodgood, Neil Bur-
gess, Julia Melville, and others in the east.
'Handsome Dan's Burlesque Circus" was
introduced. Lillie Jovce and Stuart Clark
gave the balcony scene from " Romeo and
Juliet." Professor T. McCarthy swung
Indian clubs. Leathe and Montague did
a gymnastic act. Fagin, Parks, Bobbie,
and Dannie Daly did a clog dance, and
John Coleman a jig. Eph Horn also ap-
peared and Grimaldi Adams presented a
short pantomime, with George Boles as
Pantaloon. The occasion was the benefit
of Harry Bloodo-ood and the receipts were
$1778.85.

Another Sunday con-
cert was given on March 5 by Lothian's
Orchestra, the Berger Family, Mrs. H. M.
Smith, Jules Levy, and others.

L. R. ShewelFs benefit on March 7 intro-
duced Mr. Shewell and John McCullough
in " Damon and Pythias." " Married Life '
was also given. Mrs. Barry's benefit on
March 10 offered "Love's Sacrifice" and
"Wanted, a Young Lady," and John Mc-
Cullouo-h recited "The Little Hero/'

Callender's Georgia Singers and the
Hyers Sisters sang on Sunday, March 12.

220

John McCullough as

Virginius

Marie Wilkins as La
Frochard

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

'The Colleen Bawn" was played the week of March 13.
D. L. (Dutch) Morris in a Teutonic
version of "Richard III" was added
to the bill on Wednesday. Joseph Proc-
tor revived "Nick of the Woods" on
Saturday evening, March 18, with L.
R. She well as Roaring Ralph Stack-
pole.

The Kellogg English Opera Company
with the same vocalists as before re-
turned on March 20 for another fort-
night, adding "The Huguenots," "The
Rose of Castile," and "The Star of the
North" to their repertoire.

W.H.Bartho-
^^$v loiiM^w , the pan-

tomimist, had
a benefit on Sat-
urday evening,

March 25, when a variety bill was
given. Bad weather interfered sadly
with the receipts and another benefit
to him was given on the following
Saturday, April 1, 1876, when among
others Charles F. Atkinson appeared,
reciting; 'The Vagabonds," and
Charles H. Yale sang and danced
" The Funny Old Gal." Both of these
gentlemen have since become man-

Fred Thorne as Fluellen
in " Henry V '

Gustavns Levick in " The
Two Orphans "

agers whose names are known through-

227

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Titiens

out the whole United States. The Young Apollo Club of New

York, with Joseph White, the Cu-
ban violinist, and Lothian's Or-
chestra, were heard in concert on
Sunday, April 2.

'Uncle Tom's Cabin," with
Mrs. G. C. Howard as Topsy,
G. C. Howard as St. Clair, and
George Kunkel as Uncle Tom,
supported by the stock company,
filled the week of April 3 to large
business.

Reeves's Band of Providence
played Sunday night, April 9.
Jarrett and Palmer's great re-
vival of " Julius Caesar," with E. L. Davenport as Brutus,
I^awrence Barrett as Cassius, Frank C. Bangs as Marc An-
tony, and Milnes Levick as Caesar, drew very large houses
the week of April 10.

Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Florence
opened on April 17 in "The
Mighty Dollar" for a two weeks'
engagement, but owing to the
death of Barney Williams, who
was Mrs. Florence's brother-in-
law, the stars were obliged to be
away on April 25, 26, 27, and 28,
in attendance at the funeral.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin," with
Olivia Rand as Topsy, was hast-

228

- ..Sl.

Teresa Carreno

THE SEASON OF 1875-76

ily substituted and the Florences returned in time to play
'The Mighty Dollar" on the afternoon and evening of
Saturday, April 29.

Reverend W. H. H. Murray occupied the house for four
Sundays, commencing April 23.

Another week of Italian opera began on May 1, with Marie
Palmieri, Mathilde Phillips, Adelaide Phillips, Mme. Intro-
pidi, Signorina Persiani, Miss Cooney, Tom Karl, Gotts-
chalk, Tagliapietra, Signor
Palmieri, and others, as
principals, and A. Tomasi
as musical director. The
operas were " Norma," " Se-
miramide," "La Favorita,"
and "II Trovatore."

Mrs. D. P. Bowers, sup-
ported by J. C. McCullom,
appeared for two weeks
beginning May 8 in "Eliza-
beth," "Mary Stuart,"
"Lady Audley's Secret,"
and "The Hunchback,"
having the assistance of
Agnes Booth in the latter
piece. Tony Pastor's Troupe came for one evening, Satur-
day, May 13, the artists being Tony Pastor, Charles Worley,
Frank Girard, Baby Bindley, Jennie Morgan, Lurline the
Water Queen, Watson the Man Fish, the Brahams, Gus Wil-
liams, Karl Lind, Harry Kernell, Crossley and Elder, the Big
Four (Lester, Allen, Smith, and Waldron), and Marie Whit-

229

Kate Claxton and Mrs. Barry as the Two
Orphans

THE BOSTON THEATRE

tingham and Master Newman. Master Newman is at present
writing the business manager of the Garrick Theatre, New
York City.

Clara Louise Kellogg, John Orththe pianist, and the Boston
Philharmonic Club volunteered at N. Lothian's benefit on
Sunday, May 24.

The Vokes Family came on June 5 for two weeks, presenting

"The Belles of the Kitchen,"
"A Bunch of Berries," "Fun
in a Fog," "Nan, the Good-
for- Nothing," and "The
Wrong Man in the Right
Place."

Marie Aimee and her French
company sang here the week
of June 19 in " La Jolie Parfu-
meuse," "La Vie Parisienne,"
and "La Fille de Madame
Angot."

Hermann, the magician, had
a benefit on Wednesday, June
28, when Mrs. Dauncey Mas-
kell recited, Laura Joyce sang
"The Minstrel Boy," the Al-
monte Brothers performed acrobatic feats, H. S. Murdoch
and Mrs. Fred Williams played the burletta of "Antony and
Cleopatra," Charles Booth and Addie Scarsey rode veloci-
pedes, Georgie Dean Spaulding played the harp, Maffitt and
Bartholomew gave the pantomime of 'Robert Macaire," and
Hermann himself performed feats of magic.

230

David Garrick

Brother Sam

E. A. Sothern

Lord Dundreary

THE SEASON OF 18 75-76

On the afternoon and evening of July 4, the pantomime
of "Humpty Dumpty's Centennial"" was given, with Maffitt
as Clown and Thomas Chapman as Pantaloon. Harry
Hunter, afterward the Lone Fisherman in "Evangeline," was
the Harlequin, and the Almonte Brothers, gymnasts, were
featured.

George H. Tyler had a benefit on July 12, when Katie
Putnam was seen in "The Child of the Regiment," the First
Regiment Band and the Chelsea Brass Band played, Fan-
nie Marsh (Mrs. Isaac B. Rich) played what was billed as
'The Quarrel and Screen Scene, from W. E. Sheri-
dan's world-famous Comedy, of 'The School for Scandal/ 1
Georgie Dean Spaulding played the harp, and Maffitt and
Bartholomew appeared in the pantomime of "The Young
Recruit." During the pantomime Colonel Coveney's Cele-
brated Cadets, of East Cambridge, Mass., gave an exhibi-
tion drill.

Several deaths among those con-
nected with the theatre occurred this
season. Benjamin W. Thayer, senior
partner in the firm of Thayer and
Tompkins, died in December after
eleven years of successful management,
having with his partner brought the
theatre from a rut of disastrous busi-
ness and landed it among the best-
paying theatres of the world.

W. H. Norton, the second old man of the company, died
during the year, as also did Annie Winslow, who had served
in the company several years in a minor capacity.

231

Tony Pastor

THE BOSTON THEATRE

George Belmore broke down while playing a star engage-
ment and died within a few days, and Barney Williams, one
of the Boston Theatre's favorite stars, also passed away
during the year.

CHAPTER XXV

THE SEASON OF 1876-77

Mr. Thayer's interest in the theatre was purchased by
Noble H. Hill, a business man of this city, who previous
to that time had not been connected with theatrical affairs,
and the firm name was changed to Tompkins and Hill. Mr.
Shewell was retained as manager and the following company
was engaged: C. Leslie Allen. E. J. Buckley, D. J. Maguin-
nis, Mark Price, Gustavus Levick, M. D. Rebus, W. F. Wallis,
H. Rees Davies, T. M. Hunter, N. Lothian, Jr.. H. A. Cripps,
George Boles, J. W. Taylor, E. Wiley, H. J. Train, George C.
Boniface, Jr., Mrs. Thomas Barry, Olivia Rand, Mrs. Charles
Poole, Mrs. T. M. Hunter,
Mrs. C. L. Allen, Blanche
Hayden, Lizzie Hunt, Nel-
lie Downing, Carrie Pres-
cott, Emma Smiley, Maria
Henley, Iola Smiley, Mar-
ian Follett, Ruby St. Clair,
Florence Clifford, and Mary
Edwards. Harry Blood-
good, the minstrel, was also
engaged for the season,
with a view to using him
on Saturday nights and like

occasions. Mark Price

233

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Emile Sauret

The season opened on August 28, 1876, with Frank Mayo

in "The Streets of New York."

"Kit" followed for two weeks,
with F. S. Chanfrau and the Bos-
ton Theatre Company.

'"The Two Orphans" was re-
vived on September 18 for two
weeks, Kate Claxton and Marie
Wilkins being seen in their orig-
inal parts and E. J. Buckley
making his first appearance in
this city in the role of Chevalier
de Vaudrey.

Dion Boucicault in " The Shaugh-
raun" filled the month of October. Victoria Woodhull lec-
tured on Sunday evening, October 22. Anna de Belocca made
her Boston debut on October 29, when she was heard in
concert with Madame A. B. Maretzek
the harpist, Cesare Cornazzoni, tenor,
Ferranti the baritone, Emile Sauret
the violinist, and Teresa Carreno, who
had become a pianist.

Madame Janauschek followed on
October 30 in "Bleak House," "Mac-
beth," and "Mary Stuart" for a fort-
night. Spaulding's Bell Ringers and
the Anacreon Club were heard on
Sunday, November 12.

John T. Raymond played " Colonel
Sellers" the week of November 13.

234

Ole Bull

THE SEASON OF 1876-77

Ole Bull, violinist, Signora Cappiani, prima donna, Jules
Levy, cornetist, and W. Popper,
violoncellist, were heard in con-
cert on Sunday evening, Novem-
ber 19, assisted by the Boston
Theatre orchestra.

Raymond was succeeded by
Kate Claxton, who played " Con-
science" for one week and "The
Two Orphans" for another, the
Madame Frochard on this oc-
casion being Madame Ivan Mi-
chel.

On Sunday evening, Novem-
ber 26, Ole Bull and Jules Levy
appeared in concert, with Fanny
Kellogg as an added attraction.

Louise Pomeroy, a handsome
woman who was the wife of

the notorious

John T. Raymond as Colonel Sellers

Mrs. Jean Davenport
Lander

journalist, "Brick" Pomeroy, played her
only starring engagement in this theatre
the week of December 4, acting in " Ro-
meo and Juliet," ' The Lady of Lyons,"
"As You Like It," and "Macbeth."

The performance of Saturday evening,
December 9, was billed as a reception to
Harry Bloodgood. The stock company
played "The Chimney Corner," Bloodgood
appeared in "Uncle Rufe's Home," "The

235

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Harry Bloodgood

Old District School," and "The Inquisitive Darkey," Sena-
tor Bob Hart made a stump
speech, J. H. O'Connor sang
'The Elopement," the four
Daly Brothers, Thomas, Wil-
liam, Bob, and Dan, were seen
in songs and dances, and Char-
ley Yale appeared as Patsy
Bolivar. The Daly Brothers,
especially Dan, afterward be-
came prominent as comedians,
Senator Bob Hart left the stage
and was later known as Rev.
James Sutherland, the evang-
elist, while Charley Yale is a
successful manager. Gilmore's Band gave a concert on De-
cember 10, 1876, the vocalist being Lillian Norton, who after-
wards gained fame as Madame Nordica, the prima donna.

The Brooklyn Theatre fire, in which hundreds perished,
including H. S. Murdoch, formerly of
the Boston Theatre Company, occurred
about this time and had a disastrous
effect on theatrical business all over the
country, particularly in the case of Jar-
rett and Palmer's spectacular production,
" Sardanapalus," in which there was an
extremely realistic fire scene. "Sardana-
palus" was presented here on December
11 for three weeks, with the following

cast : Louise Pomeroy

in H '

236

THE SEASON OF 1876-77

Sardanapalus F. C. Bangs.

Salemenes Louis Aldrich.

Beleses C. Leslie Allen.

Arbaees M. M. Price.

Altada H. Rees Davies.

Pania Gustavus Leviek.

Sferi Gene Wiley.

Zanes George Boles.

Balea M. D. Rebus.

Herald T. M. Hunter.

Myrrha Agnes Booth.

Zarina Mrs. T. M. Hunter.

A grand Italian ballet was introduced, the principal dancers
being Mile. Malvina Bartoletti, Signor Ernesto Mascagno,
and Miles. Palladino, Stickel, Mascarino, and Beserti.

On January 1, 1877, Mrs. Lander, supported by Theodore
Hamilton, appeared in a version of Hawthorne's 'Scarlet
Letter," but this, like the previous attraction, did not draw.

On the afternoon of Friday, January 9, a benefit was given
to the relatives of the late H. S. Murdoch. General Mite and
Lucia Zarate, the midgets, appeared and the remainder of the
bill was given by the companies of all the theatres in town.
"A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock" was played by W. J.
LeMoyne, James Burrows, Lorin Deland, H. A. Cripps,
Lizzie Hunt, and Olivia Rand. 'Chums" was presented by
George W. Wilson, Dr. F. A. Harris, Nat Childs, Mrs. J. R.
Vincent, and Mary Gary. The balcony scene from " Romeo
and Juliet," was rendered by E. J. Buckley and Stella Boni-
face. " Caste" was played by L. R. She well, Gustavus Leviek,
C. Leslie Allen, D. J. Maguinnis, Mrs. Thomas Barry, and
Olivia Rand. "Jenny Lind at Last" followed, introducing

237

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Eliza Weathersby, W. H. Crane, N. C. Goodwin, Harry
Hunter, Richard Golden, Harry Josephs, Cheever Goodwin,
E. E. Rice, B. Bullock, H. Metzgar, A. Cassidy, S. Crane,
G. Ulmer, D. P. Steele, H. A. Cripps, and M. Delahunt.
Harry Bloodgood lectured on "Fish," and the entertainment

closed with the panto-
mime of ''Robert Ma-
caire" by James S.
Maffitt, N. D. Jones,
Welsh Edwards, J. V.
Melton, A. C. More-
land, George H. Coes,
A. J. Leavitt, Julie Co-
ventry, and Jennie Mc-
Lellan.

Professor S. S. Bald-
win gave an expose of
spiritualism on Sunday,
January 21.

Joseph Murphy played
'Kerry Gow" for a fort-
night beginning Janu-
ary 22.

J. Harry Shannon, the
Boy Orator, recited on Sunday evening, January 28.

John E. Owens began a two weeks' engagement on Feb-
ruary 5, offering "The Victims," "Self," "The Happiest Day
of My Life," and "Solon Shingle."

Maggie Mitchell's annual three weeks began on February
19, when she was seen in "Mignon," later presenting "Jane

238

Joseph Murphy as the Kerry Gow

THE SEASON OF 1876-77

Eyre," "The Pearl of Savoy," and "Little Barefoot." On the
evening of March 10, 1877, Napier Lothian played William
Peace to Miss Mitchell's Little Barefoot.

J. B. Booth played "Richard III" on Saturday evening,
March 3.

Charles Fechter, supported by Lizzie Price, played two
weeks, in "Monte Cristo," "Hamlet,"
"Ruy Bias," and "Don Caesar." On
March 19 Mr. Fechter was too ill to
play and the stock company presented
"Rory O'More" and "The Inquis- |

itive Darkey" to a bad house.

Eugenie Pappenheim appeared in
German opera for one week, commenc-
ing March 26, the operas being "The lp
Flying Dutchman," "Lohengrin," and ( "^
"Tannhauser." M^g^-.

George Riddle played "The Ro- * * ; \

mance of a Poor Young Man" on 'p

Saturday evening, March 31.

Madame Janauschek returned on

April 2 for two weeks of "Medea,"
"Bleak House," "Deborah," 'Mary Eugenie Pappenheim
Stuart," " Macbeth," and " Brunhilde."

It was during a performance of ; ' Medea" that Theodore
Roosevelt, afterward President of the United States, was
ejected from the gallery for creating a disturbance. He was
then a freshman at Harvard College and was "running" for
one of the secret societies. He had been ordered to go into
the upper gallery of the Boston Theatre in evening dress and

239

THE BOSTON THEATRE

applaud vociferously in all quiet scenes. This he did faith-
fully, with the above disastrous effect upon his dignity.

On Wednesday afternoon, April 11, 1877, New York

and Boston amateurs played
"Man and Wife" in aid of
the sufferers of the Cuban war.
Sadie Von Leer, who played
Anne Sylvester, afterward be-
came a star upon the pro-
|FW fessional stage. The bill was

V/^frl feto, supplemented by Adelaide

Phillips and Laura Schirmer,
who sang; the last scene of
"Romeo and Juliet."

At the Fast Day matinee on
April 12, "Uncle Tom's Cab-
in" was presented, with Harry
Bloodgood as Uncle Tom and Mrs. G. C. Howard as Topsy.
General B. F. Butler lectured on Sunday evening, April 15.
Eugenie Pappenheim returned for the week of April 16,
Pauline Canissa being added to the company. The operas
were "Die Walkiire," "Lohengrin," and "Fidelio." Acts
from "The Flying Dutchman" were also given. Ad Neuen-
dorf was the conductor.

The Eighth Annual Benefit of Harry Bloodgood, on Satur-
day evening, April 21, presented "Katy, the Hot Corn Girl"
and a variety show, in which Bloodgood and Sam Weston
played "He's Got to Come," and the Four Daly Brothers,
Coleman and Dwyer, Masters Tommy and Johnny Drohan,
and others appeared.

240

Theodore Roosevelt, when in College

THE SEASON OF 1876-77

Charles Fechter and Lizzie Price returned on April 23 for
two weeks in "The Corsican Brothers," "Hamlet," and "The
Lady of Lyons."

On Saturday evening, April 28, 1877, the Massachusetts
Rifle Association had a benefit, when "Sarah's Young Man'
and "The Chimney Corner" were played and a prize drill
took place between Company H, First Battalion of Infantry,
Company D, Fifth Regiment
of Infantry, and Company
G, Ninth Battalion.

Ole Bull, Jules Lumbard,
the Berger Family, and the
Boston Theatre orchestra
gave a concert on Sunday,
April 29.

Clara Morris made her
first appearance here as a
star on May 7, playing " Ca-
mille" all that week and
"Miss Multon" all the next.
On the first night of "Miss
Multon" the curtain was
rung down after the second
act and the money was re-
turned to the audience. Miss Morris blamed the manager
and he blamed her for the trouble and the matter was aired
in the newspapers.

Mrs. Barry had a benefit on Wednesday afternoon, May 9,
when John McCullough, Sol Smith Russell, and George Rid-
dle volunteered. At Harry M'Glenen's benefit on Saturday

241

jpllljW IiBi p -' Jg^ ML

Benjamin F. Butler

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Sara Jewett

evening, May 12, Agnes Booth and Cazeneuve the magician

were the volunteers.

The Union Square Theatre
Company of New York pro-
duced 'The Danicheffs" on
May 21 for two weeks, the com-
pany including Charles R.
Thome, Jr., James O'Neill,
Louis James, Fanny Morant,
Sara Jewett, Ida Vernon, and
others. Mr. Thorne was taken
ill during the first week and was
obliged to retire from the cast,
his part being taken by Louis
James. Sara Jewett had a bene-
fit on the afternoon of May 31, when "Romeo and Juliet"
was played, with Miss Jewett as Juliet, Louis James as Mer-
cutio, and James O'Neill as Romeo.
Aimee and her French Opera
Company followed on June 4 for
two weeks in "La Perichole," "La
Belle Helene," "La Fille de Ma-
dame Angot," "La Jolie Parfu-
meuse," "La Grande Duchesse,"
"La Boulangere a des Ecus," "Gi-
rofle-Girofla," "La Belle Poule,"
and "Les Dragons de Villars."

H. A. M'Glenen had another
benefit on Thursday, June 21, when
the volunteers were Joseph Proctor,

2^2

Clara Morris

THE SEASON OF 1876-77

Sol Smith Russell, Sir Randall Roberts, Louis Aldrich, Archie
Cowper, Ethel Greybrooke, and the members of the regular
company.

W. P. Prescott benefited on June 23, a variety show being
given, in which Billy Morris was seen once more, Charley
Yale was the clown in the pantomime of 'Tommy Tuttle,
the Mischief Maker," and Master Dunn (afterward Arthur
Dunn) did a song and dance.

A benefit for the sufferers by the St. John fire was given on
June 28, when "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady'' was
played by Frank Mayo, Blanche Slader, J. W. Hague, H. A.
Cripps, N. Lothian, Jr., J. T. McNary, Annie Clarke, and
Susan Flood. Wyzeman Marshall read, Nella F. Brown re-
cited, Fanny Kellogg sang, Helen Mar White recited, Helen
Potter gave impersonations, Annie Clarke played Romeo to
Mrs. Barry's Juliet, J. W. Lanergan recited, Sol Smith Rus-
sell was seen in his sketches, and 'The Inquisitive Darkey"
was played by J. H. Ring, T. M. Hunter, H. A. Cripps,
Lizzie Edwards, and Nellie Downing.

J. B. Sullivan's benefit closed the season, on Wednesday
evening, July 11, when a mixed bill was given, including the
" Winners of the Race," T. Mahoney (stroke) , Gookin Brothers,
and F. Plaisted (bow). These were evidently the winners of the
Fourth of July race on the Charles River.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE SEASON OF 187 7-7 8

The new members of the company in 1877-78 were George
R. Parks, John T. Craven, H. E. Chase, C. Rolfe, J. H.
Howland, Harry Pierson, Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer, Sadie Hen-
ley, and Emma Wyman.

George Parks remained here for several seasons, as did most
of the others. He went from this theatre to the Boston Mu-
seum, where he met and married Elizabeth Robins, a mem-
ber of the stock company at that theatre, who has since won

fame as a novelist. Mr. Parks
committed suicide by drown-
ing in 1887.

John T. Craven died re-
cently in New York, having
been for some years principal
comedian of the Castle Square
Theatre in Boston, where he
was a great favorite.

H. E. Chase married Miss
Emma Wyman, a fellow mem-
ber of the company, and died
a few years since, leaving a
reputation as a faithful, pains-

< !

taking actor.

E\igene W. Presbrey

E. Wiley, sometimes billed

244

THE SEASON OF 1877-78

as Gene Wiley, was Eugene Wiley Presbrey, now well known
as a producing stage- manager, and the author of several suc-
cessful plays, notably "Raffles," and
"The Right of Way."

C. Rolfe was in private life Charles
Rohlfs, whose wife is Anna Katha-
rine Green, the author of "The
Leavenworth Case" and many other
rapidly selling detective stories.

Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer has left the
stage and is now living in retirement
in Dorchester.

Sadie Henley married H. A. Cripps,
another member of the company, her
sister Maria having previously be-
come Mrs. Rufus Scott.

Lawrence McCarty joined the com-
pany this season as call-boy, from
which position he gradually arose
successively to the offices of prompter,

stage-manager, traveling manager, business manager of the
Park Theatre under Eugene Tompkins, and finally manager
of the Boston Theatre itself.

The season opened on August 20 with the Hyers Sisters
Combination and Sam Lucas in "Out of Bondage," the com-
pany being composed entirely of colored performers.

The Campbell Comedy Company in "How Women Love,
a Story of the Sierras," followed on August 27, with two weeks
of light business.

F. S. Chanfrau in " Kit" followed for two weeks, opening on

245

Lydia Thompson as Robinson
Crusoe

THE BOSTON THEATRE

September 17, 1877, the day of the dedication of the Soldiers'
Monument on Boston Common.

Lydia Thompson began on October 1 a two weeks' stay in
'Robinson Crusoe," ''Oxygen," and "Bluebeard." Her
company included Willie Edouin, Fred Marshall, Horatio
Saker, William Forrester, Marie Williams, Alice Atherton,
Ella Chapman, Marion Elmore, Lena Merville, Emily Dun-
can, Lavinia Hogan, the Winner
Sisters, Bessie Temple, and Alice
Burville.

Mary Anderson made her first
Boston appearance on October 15,
1877, in "Evadne." She stayed
but one week, acting also in " Guy
Mannering:" "Ion," "Romeo and
Juliet," and 'Ingomar." The
houses were small, though in after
years she became a strong attrac-
tion.

A two weeks' season of opera
followed on October 22, with Eu-
genie Pappenheim, Mathilde Wilde, Adelaide Phillips, Alex-
andre Human, Charles R. Adams, W. T. Carleton, Christian
Fritsch, Tagliapietra, George Werrenrath, and others as prin-
cipals, and Max Maretzek as conductor. The operas were
"Les Huguenots," 'Der Freischiitz," 'Lohengrin," "II
Trovatore," "Robert le Diable," "Fidelio," "Faust," and
"Lucrezia Borgia."

On October 31 a benefit was given to the family of the late
Edwin Adams, when E. A. Sothern brought his entire corn-

Mary Anderson

246

THE SEASON OF 1877-78

pany from New York and played "The Crushed Tragedian,"
returning in time for his evening performance in the metro-
polis.

On the evening of November 3 a single performance of
"The Danites" was given,
with McKee Rankin, Kittie
Blanchard, and Louis Al-
drich in the cast.

Maggie Mitchell came on

CIO

November 5 for two weeks,
presenting "Mignon," "Fan-
chon," and "The Pearl of
Savoy."

A performance of " II Tro-
vatore" was given on the
evening of November 17,
with Anna Granger Dow,
Adelaide Randall, Joseph
Maas, and William Carleton
in leading roles.

General James Shields lec-
tured Sunday, November 18.

John T. Raymond played
"Colonel Sellers" during the week beginning November 19.

Lothian's Concert, on Sunday, November 2.5, introduced
Mary Beebe and Alfred Wilkie.

For a fortnight beginning November 26, The Two Or-
phans" was offered with Gertrude Kellogg as the blind girl,
Mrs. H. C. Jordan as La Frochard, E. J. Buckley as the
Chevalier, and Mark Price as Pierre.

247

Charles R. Adams

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The great event of the season, and one which proved to be
a turning-point in the history of the theatre, placing it among
the highest of the producing theatres of the United States, was
the spectacular production of "The Exiles," a play which had
been purchased from the authors in Paris by Eugene Tomp-
kins, son of the senior member of the firm of managers. Large
sums of money had been spent upon the scenery, costumes,
and accessories, and the instantaneous success of the piece
proved that the public appreciated the liberality of the man-
agement. The programme of the opening night read as
follows :

December 10th, 1877, first performance of
THE EXILES

A Drama in 5 acts, adapted from the French of Victorien Sardou, Eugene
Nus and Prince Lubomirsky by L. R. Shewell. (Copyright, 1877, by
Tompkins and Hill.)

The Scenery by Charles S. Getz, assisted by John Sommer.

Music by N. Lothian.

Costumes by Miss A. Endress.

Uniforms by Jordan, Marsh and Co.

Stage Architecture by W. P. Prescott.

Properties by J. B. Sullivan.

Calcium Lights and Effects by G. Osborn.

Distribution of Characters:

M. Max de Lussieres, a wealthy Frenchman Louis James.

(Who, through the courtesy of John T. Ford, Esq., has been
specially engaged to create this part.)
M. Schelm, Chief of the 5th Bureau of Imperial

Police L. R. Shewell.

248

Marie Wainwright
E. J. Buckley
Mark Price

Louis James

L. R. Shewell

D. J. Maguinnis and Louis James

Mrs. T. M. Hunter
C. Leslie Allen
H. Rees Davies

The Exiles 1877

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Agents of
Police

Count Wladimir Lanine

Count Palkine, his cousin

Carcassin, Crimean Soldier, servant to Max

Nicholas Popoff, Violinist

The Grand Duke Prince Pierre, Commander

in Chief
Ludoff )
Toltoi )
Surgeon Major
Petrowitch
Louvanoff
Boreski
Lucknow
Tcherki
Perefine
Rouvanoff
Redilin,

Ed. J. Buckley
Mark Price.
D. J. Maguinn
C. Leslie Allen.

Leaders of

a Nihilist

Conspiracy,

afterward

exiled

Siberia

H. R. Davies.
J. T. Craven.
G. Wiley.
G. Parks.
R. J. Dillon.
J. H. Howland.
C. Rolfe.
J. Casey.
George Davis.
H. Lowe.
H. E. Wilcox.
H. Hines.
I J. T. McNary.

Virareff

Stanavoi, Chief Overseer of the Russian Vil-
lage

Tjanor, a Tartar Boatman

Lieutenant Mikaloff

Colonel Murdoff

Captain Golok

Mile. Nadege Lanine, Wladimir's sister,

(specially engaged) Miss Marie Wainwright.

Countess Tatiana Lanine, wife to Wladimir Mrs. T. M. Hunter.

Ladies, Gentlemen, Russians, Peasants, Bridesmaids, Attendants, Serv-
ants, Populace, Pages, Musicians, Agents of Police, Spies, Conspirators,
Exiles, Siberians, Tartars, Soldiers and Cossacks by a Host of Auxil-
iaries.

H. E. Chase.
W. Armstrong.
H. A. Cripps.
S. Spencer.
E. Young.

Act 1. Tableau I. Bureau of Police in St. Petersburg. Tableau II.
Square of Sherbakoff.

250

THE SEASON OF 1877-78

Act 2. Tableau I. Fete in Prince Pierre's Palace. Tableau II. Interior
of 21 Rue Sherbakoff. Conspirators in Council.

Act 3. Tableau I. In Exile. Escape. Tableau II. Cross Road of the
Stone Pillar.

Act 4. Tableau I. The Governor's House in Siberia. The Conflagra-
tion.

Act 5. Tableau I. Ferryman's Hut on the Angara. Tableau II. Apart-
ments of the Commandant in the Citadel at Irkutsk.

"The Exiles" ran ten weeks to gratifyingly profitable
receipts and was followed on February 11, 1878, by John
McCullough in a production of "Coriolanus" which held
the stage for two weeks, the third being filled by the same
star in "Richard III," "Virginius," "Othello," "King Lear,"
"The Gladiator," and "Jack Cade."

Edwin Booth, supported by Joseph Wheelock, J. Clinton
Hall, and the stock company, appeared for the next three
weeks in his usual tragic repertoire.

Marie Wainwrisrht

Marie Roze

251

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"The Danites" was played for a fortnight beginning
March 25 by McKee Rankin, Kittie Blanchard, Louis Al-
drich, Charles T. Parsloe, and the Boston Theatre Com-

nv.

Two weeks of Italian opera followed, introducing Marie
Roze, Clara Louise Kellogg, Annie Louise Cary, Mme. Gui-

dotti. Miss Lancaster, Frapolli,
Tom Karl, Verdi, Conly, Gotts-
chalk, and Charles R. Adams in
the more familiar operas.

A performance of "' Romeo and
Juliet" was given on the evening
of Saturday, April 13, with W. E.
Nowlan, Jr., a local novice, as
Romeo, Mary Cary as Juliet,
Charles A. Stedman as Mercutio,
Stuart Clarke as Tybalt, Frank
Carlos as Benvolio, Frank Whit-
cher as Friar Lawrence, T. H.
Burns as Peter, Alfred Selwyn as
Paris, John Davies as Capulet, S. E. Springer as the Apothe-
cary, Charles Lothian as Balthazar, Hattie Randall as the
Page, Mrs. C. L. Allen as Lady Capulet, and Lizzie Anderson
as the Nurse.

Joseph Jefferson was seen as "Rip Van Winkle" for two
weeks, commencing April 22.

Calender's Georgia Minstrels appeared on Saturday even-
ing, April 27.

Maggie Moore and J. C. Williamson played the week of
May 6 in "Struck Oil," and "The Chinese Question." Mr.

252

Willie Edouin

THE SEASON OF 1877-78

Williamson has since become a highly successful manager in
Australia.

The Colville Folly Company, a successor to the Lydia
Thompson Company, filled the five weeks beginning May 13
with "The Babes in the Wood,"
"PiffPaff," "Robinson Crusoe,"
and "Oxygen." The members of
the company were Erne Roseau,
Willie Edouin, Marion Elmore,
Lina Merville, William Forrest-
er, Alice Atherton, William Gill,
Marie Williams, Ada Lee, Elinor
Deerino-, Kate Everleio-h, Lavinia
Hogan, Annie Deacon, Annie Win-
ner, Susie Winner, Bessie Temple,
Bessie Turner, Jenny Clark, Mary
Winner, Clara White, Nancy Tar-
but and Messrs. Bohrer, De Smith,
Amberg, and Harper. H. Sator

was the musical director. Elma Delaro was added to the
company for the part of Suzel in "Oxygen."

On the occasion of H. A. McGlenen's benefit on May 22,
1878, John McCullough played Claude Melnotte in 'The
Lady of Lyons" to the Pauline of Mary Anderson.

The season closed on June 17 with a benefit to Willie
Edouin, when "Oxygen" was presented, with a scene from
"Blue Beard" and three scenes from "Robinson Crusoe."
Reeves's American Band of Providence played and D. J.
Maguinnis sang his own composition, "The Christening."

J. C. Williamson

CHAPTER XXVII

THE SEASON OF 1878-79

R. Shewell concluded his term of service as manager
at the end of the season of 1877-78, and for the next two
years the programme was headed, simply, Tompkins and Hill,
Proprietors. Early in the autumn of 1878, however, Eugene
Tompkins assumed the reins, which he continued to hold
until his retirement from business in 1901, although his name
did not appear upon the bills until August, 1880.

The company for 1878-79 comprised Louis James, Harry
Edwards, C. Leslie Allen, D. J. Maguinnis, Mark Price, J.
W. Hague, A. Z. Chipman, Horace Lewis, George R. Parks,
Stephen E. Springer, H. E. Chase, Gene Wiley, E. Y. Backus,

Horace Lewis

E. Y. Backus

254

THE SEASON OF 1878-79

H. T. Gibson, T. N. Edwards, J. W. Taylor, Mrs. Thomas

Barry, Anna Warren Story, Rachel Noah,

Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer, Mrs. C. L. Allen,

May Bowers, Ida F. Thoreau, Clara Bell,

Alice Barnicoat, Charlotte Blair, Fanny

Dudley, Vililla Chase, and Emma Wyman. *
Horace Lewis and S.E. Springer, neither

of whom is now living, both became

excellent character actors. Mr. Lewis

essayed several starring tours, playing

"Monte Cristo," "The Poor Relation,"

and "The Middleman. " Mr. Springer

died in Boston in 1897 and Mr. Lewis

in Brookline, Mass., in 190.5.

E. Y. Backus has since
gained high esteem as a
stage-manager in the serv-
ice of Charles Frohman,
Klaw and Erlanger, and Henry W. Savage.
May Bowers was the daughter of Mrs.
D. P. Bowers and is now the wife of Frank
Bennett, at one time proprietor of the Hotel
Gotham in New York.

Clara Bell was in private life Clara Bell
Flagg. She married Mark Price of this com-
pany and is living in Boston, though she retired
from the stage some years since.

Charlotte Blair married Harry Doel Parker,

Louis James as M. who is a theatrical manager, and as Lottie
Madeleine Blair Parker she is known as the author of

Louis James as Jean
Yaljean

255

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Way Down East" and other successful plays. A. Z. Chip-
man married Minnie Moulton, who was sometimes seen

in minor roles in this com-
pany, being also billed as
Blanche Moulton.

The season opened with a
production of 'The T\ o
Mothers," a drama founded
on the famous Tichborne
case, which ran three weeks,
being followed by the peren-
nial "Kit," for two weeks.

Mary Anderson began a
two weeks' engagement on
Zoe Tuttle as Cosette September 30, presenting

"The Hunchback," "Romeo
and Juliet," "Macbeth," and "Ingomar."

On October 14 a dramatization of Victor Hugo's 'Les
Miserables," entitled "Cosette," was produced. It ran five
weeks, but did not meet with great success. The cast was as
follows :

Jean Valjean and M. Madeleine

Javert

M. Myriel

The Thenadier

Fauchelevent

Montparnasse

Champmathieu

President of Court

Attorney-General

Barrister

Louis James.
Mark M. Priee.

C. Leslie Allen.

D. J. Maguinnis.
J. W. Hague.
S. E. Springer.
S. E. Springer.
Chas. Addison.
A. Z. Chipman.
Gene Wiley.

256

THE SEASON OF 1878-79

Claquesous

Jacquin Labarre

Father Simon

Cochepaille

Brevet

Brulatruelle

Jolivet

Doctor

Deputy Mayor

Workman

Carter

Secretary

Brigadier

First Policeman

Second Policeman

Fan tine

Sister Simplice

Madame Thenadier

Mile. Baptistine

Madame Magloire

Madame Dorothee

Cosette

Petite Gervaise

Ponine

Portress

Workwoman

J. T. Craven.
H. E. Chase.
Horace Lewis.
E. Y. Backus.
J. Armstrong.
T. N. Edwards.

E. B. Young.
George Parks.
H. T. Gibson.

F. M. Norcross.
S. E. Spencer.
H. A. Cripps.

J. Taylor.
C. Coolidge.
Mr. Wilson.
Mrs. Thos. Barry.
Anna Warren Story.
Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer.
Mrs. C. L. Allen.
Mrs. Nellie Burns.
Clara Bell.
Little Zoe Tuttle.
Jeannette Morris.
Miss Wilson.
Alice Barnicoat.
Charlotte Blair.

Marie Roze-Mapleson, Brignoli, W. T. Carleton, Alfred
H. Pease, and others were heard in concert on Sunday,
October 27.

On the afternoon of October 30, 1878, W. S. Schmitt. an
amateur, made his first appearance on any stage, enacting the
role of Shylock and being supported by the regular company.

Wilhelmj, the violinist, appeared in concert on Sunday

257

THE BOSTON THEATRE

evening, November 3, and again

Marie Roze-Mapleson

Franz Rummel were heard in
concert on Sunday, December 27.
Her Majesty's Opera Com-
pany, under the management of
Colonel J. H. Mapleson, was
heard in Italian opera for the
following fortnight, the artists
at the head of the organization
being Etelka Gerster, Minnie
Hauk, Marie Roze, Parodi, Si-
nico, Frapolli, Galassi, Campa-
nini, Del Puente, and Lablache;

258

on December 8, being as-
sisted on the latter occa-
sion by the singer, lima di
Murska.

"The Exiles" was re-
vived on November 18
and ran four weeks, Harry
Edwards replacing L. R.
She well as Schelm.

" The Two Mothers ' ' was
revived for the week of
December 16, and the
following week the stock
company played "" Uncle
Tom's Cabin," Louis
James taking the role of
Uncle Tom.

Edouard Remenyi and

Wilhelmj

THE SEASON OF 1878-79

the operas being "II Trovatore," 'La Sonnambula," 'The
Marriage of Figaro," "Carmen," "I Puritani," 'Rigoletto,"
"Faust," and "The Magic Flute." "Carmen" was first heard
in Boston on Friday, January 3, 1879, Minnie Hauk being

J. H. Mapleson

Carmen, Campanini Don Jose, and Del Puente the Tore-
ador. Mme. Sinico was the Michaela. The ballet divertisse-
ment "Les Papillons" was presented as an afterpiece for
"La Sonnambula."

John MeCullough began a three weeks' engagement on
January 13, 1879, giving "Pizarro," "Brutus," "Virginius,"

259

THE BOSTON THEATRE

"Richard III," "Henry VIII," "Julius Caesar," "Macbeth,"

"Othello," and "Jack Cade."

The first Elks' Benefit took place
on Thursday afternoon, January 23,
1879, the volunteers being the Boston
Theatre Company in 'The Irish Tu-
tor," and the fifth act of "The Mer-
chant of Venice," Myron W. Whitney,
Brown's Brigade Band, Tony Pastor,
Maude Granger, Emily Rigl, and
H. A. Weaver in a scene from "Al-
most a Life," E. J. Buckley in recita-
tion, a scene from "Evangeline" with
George S. Knight, E. A. Locke, Harry

Josephs, and N. D. Jones, George Thatcher in "The Villain

Etelka Gerster

Tim a di Murska

Minnie Iiauk as Carmen

260

THE SEASON OF 1878-79

Franz Rummel

being;

Still Pursued Her," John F.
Sheridan and Alicia Jourdain,
Delehanty and Hengler, Harry
Montague the singer, Kelly and
Ryan, Forest and Francis,
Charles Vivian, who was the
founder of the Elks, and Rel
Mueab the Fire King. The re-
ceipts were $1962.80.

The Strakosch Italian Opera
Company sang for a fortnight
beginning February 3 in the

customary operas, the artists
Marie Litta, Kellogg, Cary, Miss Lan-
caster, lima di Murska, and Charles
R. Adams. Dion Boucicault played
"The Shaughraun' 1 for two weeks
commencing February 17, and "Ar-
rah na Pogue" for the third week,
John Brougham being especially en-
gaged for the part
of Major Bagenal
O' Grady in the
latter piece.
Stimulated by
the success of Sardou's play, "The Ex-
iles," Messrs. Tompkins and Hill com-
missioned M. Sardou to write a play
expressly for the Boston Theatre. He
did so, the result being "Andre Fortier,

261

George Thatcher

Genevieve Ward

THE BOSTON THEATRE

S. L. Studley

the Hero of the Calaveras," which was pro-
duced with great attention to detail and a
fine cast on March 11, 1879. It ran four
weeks, but without success. It was not a
) good play.

On Wednesday afternoon, March 12, 1879,
a wrestling match between Colonel J. H. Mc-
Laughlin and John McMahon drew $1802.50.

T.E.Halleck, manager of the Siege of Paris
Cyclorama, benefited on Sunday, March 16,
the attractions being Reeves's American Band,
the Ninth Regiment Band, the Alpine Quar-
tette, the Orpheus Quartette, Dora Wiley,
William Hamilton, and Master Charles F.
Higgins, violinist.

Genevieve
Ward played her only starring
engagement in this house dur-
ing the week of April 7, 1879,
when she was seen in
"Jane Shore," "Hen
iy VIII," "The Mer-
chant of Venice," and
"Macbeth."

Gilbert and Sulli-
van's opera, 'H. M.
S. Pinafore," was pro-
duced on April 14,
1879, with the best
cast that could be

262

V-

Mary Beebe

Mary Beebe
H. C. Barnabee
George Frothingham

Isabel McCulloch
M. W. Whitney
Adelaide Phillips

Georgia Cayvan

Tom Karl

Gus Kammerlee

H. M. S. Pinafore 1S79

THE BOSTON THEATRE

procured, Messrs. Tompkins and Hill having commissioned
Miss E. H. Ober to engage the singers without regard to
cost. It ran seven weeks to phenomenal business. The cast
was as follows :

Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. H. C. Barnabee.

Captain Corcoran M. W. Whitney.

Ralph Raekstraw Tom Karl.

Dick Deadeye George Frothingham.

Bill Bobstay Arthur Hitchcock.

Bob Beckett Frank L. Crowell.

Tom Bowlin George R. Titus.

Tom Tucker, Midshipmite Gertrude Calef.

Josephine Mary Beebe.

Little Buttercup Isabelle McCulloch.

Hebe Georgia Cay van.

Sopranos
Marguerite Brickett, Mrs. J. B. Mullen, Mrs. W. H. Gilbert,
Minnie Moulton, Mrs. A. Demont, Stella Hatch, Jessie Hatch,
Mrs. B. E. Currier, Alice Barnicoat, Ida F. Thoreau, Vililla
Chase, Viola Parker.

Contraltos
Mrs. Delia Smith, Miss H. A. Brown, Mrs. Charles Pratt, Carrie
Lothian, C. E. Gooch, E. E. Edwards, Jennie Robinson, Mrs. A.
N. Nicholson, Misses Charlotte Blair, Gertrude Parsons, Fannie
Dudley, Emma Wyman.

Tenors
Charles Winter, J. J. Maloney, James Montgomery, E. D. Dan-
iels, H. A. Cripps, C. Danforth, George E. Boyle, J. E. Burgess,
C. T. Sylvester, H. E. Bonney, F. L. Crowell, H. Waterston,
Curtis Adams.

Bassos
William Whitney, D. F. Zerrahn, J. A. Harrington, A. J. Hub-
bard, H. L. Bradeen, J. C. Turner, J. L. Gilbert, J. Burchmore,

264

THE SEASON OF 1878-79

F. Fenniman, H. C. Jordan, H. F. Dixie, C. H. Reed, J. A. Baker,
and Park S. Rush.

Director of Chorus S. L. Studley.

Prompter N. Lothian, Jr.

From this company the famous Boston Ideal Opera Com-
pany was formed, being in its turn succeeded by the Boston-
ians, a highly popular and successful opera company which
was decidedly the best organization of its kind that this
country has ever known.

At Mrs. Barry's benefit on May
3, her daughter Fanny made her
debut, playing Clara in "Hunted
Down."

At D. J. Maguinnis's benefit on
May 10, Georgia Cayvan made
her debut on the dramatic stage, ^
playing Sally Scraggs in " Sketches
in India."

At Rachel Noah's benefit on
May 17, Norah Bartlett made her
debut as Julia in "The Hunch-
back."

At H. A. M'Glenen's benefit on May 24, John McCullough
played Ingomar to the Parthenia of Mary Anderson.

"Fatinitza" was produced on June 2 and ran two weeks,
Adelaide Phillips, W. H. Fessenden, Alice Carle, Rachel Noah,
George Parks, and John T. Craven being added to the "Pina-
fore" company.

Haverly's Mastodon Minstrels closed the season with a
week of good business, opening on June 16.

George Frothingham

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE SEASON OF 1879-80

The company for 1879-80 was made up as follows:
Thomas W. Keene, E. J. Buckley, Harry Edwards,
D. J. Maguinnis, C. Leslie Allen, Mark Price, J. W. Hague,
J. T. Craven, A. Z. Chipman, S. E. Springer, H. E. Chase,
George Parks, Gene Wiley, H. A. Cripps, William H. Spencer,
W. R. Falls, J. W. Taylor, J. Armstrong, Mrs. Barry, Rachel
Noah, Mrs. Pennoyer, Adelaide Detchon, Clara B. Flagg,
Fannie Dudley, Julia Dillon, Lizzie A. Moore, Ella Smiley,
Sadie Morris, Lizzie Rechelle, and Gertie Blanchard.

A company composed entirely of colored people sang

m -...

* *%*'

Thomas W. Keene

Henry E. Dixey

266

THE SEASON OF 1879-80

"H. M. S. Pinafore" the week of July 7. Business was
extremely bad.

Haverly's Genuine
Colored Minstrels filled
the week of August 18,
Billy Kersands, Sam Lu-
cas, Wallace King, Dick
Little, Tom Mcintosh,
Bob Mack, Pete Devo-
near, James Bland, the
Bohee Brothers, Sykes
and Woodson, William
Allen the pedestal danc-
er, and Alex. Brown the
imitator being among
the entertainers. They
were followed by Em-
erson's Megatherian Minstrels, who appeared the week of

August 25, the principal performers
being Billy Emerson, Schoolcraft and
Coes, Lew Simmons, the Three Ran-
kins, Seamon, Somers and the Girard
Brothers, Harry Robinson, Alfred Lis-
ton, J. A. Barney, H. W. Frillman,
Arthur Cook, and the song and dance
teams of Gibson and Binney, Walsh
and King, Haverly and Gibbs, Parks
and Donovan, Lyons and Leary, and
Kelly and O'Brien.
Bartley Campbell F. C. Burnand's farcical comedy

Dickie Lingard

267

THE BOSTON THEATRE

William J [arris

"Boulogne" was presented for two weeks, beginning Septem-
ber 1, Dickie Lingard, and W.
H. Lytell being especially en-
gaged.

F. S. Chanfrau followed on
September 15 for two weeks
in "Kit."

The Boston Ideal Opera
Company opened on Sep-
tember 29 for four weeks of
"Pinafore" and "Fatinitza."
Louis Aldrieh, Charles T.
Parsloe, and the New York
Union Square Theatre Com-
pany played Bartley Camp-
bell's greatest success, "My Partner," for two weeks, com-
mencing October 27.

Maurice Grau's French Opera

Company, with Paola Marie, An-

gele, Gregoire, Victor Capoul, and

Juteau, in "La Fille de Madame

Angot," "La Grande Duchesse,"

" Girofle-Girofla," "La Perichole,"

" Les Brigands," " Mignon," " Barbe

Bleue," and "La Belle Helene,"

filled the weeks of November 10

and 17.

Thomas W. Keene joined the

company as leading man and also

made his first appearance in this

268

Catherine Lewis

THE SEASON OF 1879-80

citv in "Drink," a dramatization by Charles Reade of Emile
Zola's "L'Assommoir," which was produced on November
24, 1879. L. R. She well, Florence Chase, and Ada Gilman
were especially engaged. Although a powerful play and ex-
ceedingly well acted, " Drink" ran but four weeks. The entire
cast was as follows :

Coupeau

Gouget

Lantier

Mes Bottes

Poisson

Bee Sali

Bibi

Pere Colombe

Gervaise

Virginie

Phoebe Sage

Nana

Madame Rouge

Juliet

Delphine

Louise

Thomas W. Keene.
L. R. Shewell.
E. J. Buckley.
D. J. Maguinnis.
S. E. Springer.
John T. Craven.
Gene Wiley.
W. H. Spencer.
Rachel Noah.
Florence Chase.
Ada Gilman.
Little Gertrude.
Mrs. Treville.
Clara B. Flagg.
Fannie Dudley.
Julia Dillon.

The stock company presented "Dot" and "Katherine and
Petruchio" for the week of December 22, and Thomas W.
Keene was seen as Richard III on Saturday evening, Decem-
ber 27.

Mapleson's Her Majesty's Opera Company began a two

weeks' season on December 29. the chief singers being Mari-

mon, Valleria, Cary, Ambre, Campanini, Del Puente, La-

blache, Galassi, Runcio, David, and Behrens, who sang in

'La Sonnambula," "Martha," 'La Figlia del Reggimento,"

269

THE BOSTON THEATRE

it.

Aida,'

Linda di Ghamouni," " Faust," " II Flauto Magieo,"

"Rigoletto," and "Dino-
rah." Rossini's "Stabat
Mater" was sung on the
evening of Sunday, Janu-
ary 4, 1880.

At the Elks' Benefit on
January 8, 1880, Bartley
Campbell, the playwright,
recited his own poem, "My
Baby of Tusealoo," and
Fred F. Levantine was seen
in feats of equilibrium. Mr.
Levantine afterward as-
sumed his own name and
became Fred F. Proctor,
of the firm of Keith and

Denman Thompson as Joshua p roC tor of New York, at

Whitcomb in 1879

present the leading spirits in the
association of vaudeville man-
agers of America. George Mil-
bank, who afterward successfully
managed the Palace Theatre and
Austin and Stone's Museum, was
seen in the negro character of
Sambo, in The Comanches."
Harris and Carroll did a mus-
ical sketch entitled "School vs.
Mischief." Mr. Harris later be-

F. F. Proctor

270

THE SEASON OF 1879-80

came a member of the firm of Rich and Harris, managers
of the Hollis Street Theatre, the Howard Athenaeum, the
Boston Museum, and the Colonial, Park, and Tremont
Theatres in Boston. The Snow Brothers, acrobats, who also
appeared, included Ben Snow, who has been for many years
stage-manager of the Grand Dime and the Bowdoin Square
Theatres.

Harry Bloodgood's Minstrels were seen on the evening of
January 10, Press Eldredge, Robert Tyrrell, Alfred Liston,
Charley Brickwood, and E. Kerwan being among the per-
formers.

Denman Thompson made his first appearance in the Boston
Theatre on January 12, 1880, when he presented "Joshua
Whitcomb'" for a four weeks' run with this cast:

Uncle Josh, an old Jackson Democrat

Roundy
John Martin
Frederick Dolby
Cy Prime
Bill Johnson
Reuben Whitcomb
Mr. Burroughs
Sam Foster
Tot

Nellie Primrose
Susan Martin
Mrs. Johnson
Aunt Matilda
Amantha Bartlett
Aunt Martha

Denman Thompson.
Ignacio Martinetti.

C. H. Clark.
Walter Gale.
George Beam
R. Benson.
Fred Peters.
G. Adams.

D. Nourse.
Julia Wilson.
Isabelle Coe.
Virginia Bray.
Edna Weeden.
Mrs. D. Nourse.
Blanche Vaughan.
Miss E. Rogers.

Mary Anderson followed on February 9, being supported by

271

THE BOSTON THEATRE

John W. Norton and Milnes Levick. She remained two weeks,

playing "Evadne," "The
Hunchback," 'Ingornar,"
'Love," and "The Lady of
Lyons."

At a concert for the Relief
of Ireland, on Sunday, Feb-
ruary 22, Lawrence Barrett,
Bartley Campbell, Sol Smith
Russell, Georgia Cay van, and
Mary M. Tucker recited,
H. C. Barnabee, W. H. Fes-
senden, Mary Beebe, and
Mathilde Phillips sang, Ella
Chamberlin whistled, and
Lothian's Orchestra and the

Leonora Braham and Madeline Lucette
in " Princess Toto "

Verdi Quartette were also
heard. Bartley Campbell's
play, "The Galley Slave,"
was given for three weeks,
commencing on February
23, a strong company being
engaged in its presentation,
including Lillie Glover,
Marie Prescott, Nellie
Barbour, Mrs. C. Stoneall,
Charlotte Neville, Winnie
Shannon, Joseph AYheel-
ock, Frank E. Aiken,

George Milbank

272

THE SEASON OF 1879-80

J. B. Booth, Owen Fawcett, H. S. Duffield, and J. V. Arl-
ington.

" Princess Toto," a eomie opera
by W. S. Gilbert and Frederic
Clay, was sung for three weeks
from March 15, the company
including Leonora Braham, Ma-
deline Lucette, H. W. Montgom-
ery, William Hamilton, W. A.
Paul, J. C. Campbell, and Oliver
Wren.

John A. Stevens played "The
Unknown" the week of April 5.

Hon. John Kelly of New York lectured on Sunday, April
11, for the benefit of St. Mary's Infant Asylum.

Joseph Jefferson in "Rip Van Winkle," sup-
ported by Henrietta Vaders and members of the
Boston Theatre Company, filled the weeks of
April 12 and 19.

Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll lectured for the

John Drew

(

I ,..

**.

Ada Rehan

l J first time in this theatre on Sunday evening,
/ April 18, 1880, his subject being "The Gods,"
and a fortnight after that date Otis Mills lee-
tured on "Ingersoll Answered."

Joseph Proctor played "Nick of the Woods"
on the evening of April 24.

The Ideal Opera Company presented "The
Sorcerer" the week of April 26, "Pinafore" the
week of May 3, and "The Prince of Palermo,"
a version of Suppe's 'Boccaccio," the weeks

273

THE BOSTON THEATRE

of May 10 and 17. H. A. M'Glenen had a benefit on the even-
ing of May 15, when Thomas W. Keene and Mary Anderson
were seen together in the play of "Love."

Augustin Daly's Company, with Catherine Lewis, John
Drew, Ada Rehan, and others of the Daly favorites, was seen
in "Arabian Night" the week of May 24 and in "The Royal
Middy" the weeks of May 31 and June 7. Although Mr.
Daly's company afterward became a most potent attraction,
it utterly failed to draw at this time.

J. M. Hill's company in "All the Rage," a lavishly ad-
vertised organization, headed by Frank Hardenbergh, closed
the season with the week of June 14. Despite its advertising,
the play was unable to attract.

On Wednesday, June 30, 1880, a benefit was given to E. E.
Rice, when '-Evangeline" was given with a somewhat ex-
traordinary cast. Le Blanc was played by Sol Smith Russell,
Richard Golden, and George W. Howard. Dora Wiley and
Vernona Jarbeau were the Evangelines ; Harry Josephs and
George K. Fortescue the Catherines ; James S. Maffitt, Harry
Hunter, and Alice Atherton the Lone Fishermen ; Alice Ather-
ton and Louise Searle the Gabriels ; Laura Joyce played the
small part of Mary Ann, Harry E. Dixey was the policeman,
Willie Edouin and E. E. Rice the two deserters, John J. Mc-
Nally the Headsman, and the chorus was billed to include
Louis Aldrich, Charles T. Parsloe, Tony Hart, M. W. Fiske,
J. J. Sullivan, N. D. Jones, Dexter Smith, Woolson Morse,
John Sheridan, Louis Goullaud, W. W. Allen, May Ten
Broeck, Pauline Hall, Emma Duchateau, and many others.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE SEASON OF 1880-81

ugene Tompkins was first billed as manager in August,
1880, when the roster of the company was as follows :
Mark Price, D. J. Maguinnis, C. Leslie Allen, M. J. Jordan,
Frank S. Hartshorn, George R. Parks, Otis Skinner, S. E.
Springer, J. T. Craven, H. E. Chase, J. W. Taylor, Arthur
Moulton, H. A. Cripps, E. Y. Backus, Master Harry Wood-
ruff, Margaret Lanner, Rachel Noah, Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer,
Zoe Tuttle, Charlene Weidman, and Mary Tucker. Scenic
artists, Charles S. Getz, John Sommer, J. S. Getz, Richard
Gannon; Machinist, W. P. Prescott; Properties, J. B. Sulli-
van; Gas Engineer, George Sevey; Stage-Director, N. Lo-

Otis Skinner

Master Harry Woodruff

275

THE BOSTON THEATRE

thian, Jr. ; Prompter, L. J. McCarty ; Musical Director, N.
Lothian; Treasurer, John M Ward; Comptroller, Henry
Morrison ; Business Agent, H. A. M'Glenen. Of the dramatic
company, Otis Skinner and Harry Woodruff are now success-
ful stars. Mark Price, Leslie Allen, M. J. Jordan, J. W. Tay-
lor, H. A. Cripps, and E. Y. Backus are still in the theatrical
profession. Margaret Lanner has been lost sight of by the

present writer. Rachel Noah
and Mrs. Pennoyer are living in
retirement in Boston. All the
others have joined the silent
majority.

The season opened on August
23, with a three weeks' run of
"Hearts of Oak," introducing
James A. Heme, Frank E.
Aiken, W. H. Crompton, Gene-
vieve Rogers, and others.

Colonel Ingersoll lectured on
'Liberty' on Sunday evening
August 29.

F. S. Chanfrau came for his
annual engagement on September 13, in the ever-popular
" Kit," for only two weeks this time.

Annie Pixley, supported by John McDonough and her own
company, played "M'liss" for two weeks, beginning Septem-
ber 27.

Leavitt's Grand English Opera Burlesque Company sang
the burlesque of "Carmen" the week of October 11, and "La
Fille du Tambour Major" the week of October 18. This

276

Annie Pixley

THE SEASON OF 1880-81

company was headed by Selina Delaro and Marie Williams
and included such artists as Alma Stanley, Fannie Wentworth,
Adelaide Praeger, Daisy Ramsden, Camille Delmar, Lizzie
Mulholland, James A. Meade, and Mat Robson.

The house having been closed on Monday, A. D'Ennery
and Jules Verne's spectacular drama, "The Voyagers in
Southern Seas, or the Children of Captain Grant/' was pro-
duced on Tuesday, October 26, 1880, with this cast:

Captain Grant

Paganel

Bob

Ayrton

Lord Glenarvon

Thalcave

Burck

Mnlray

Captain Wilson

Dick

Forster

Guide

Hotel Keeper

Lady Arabella

James Grant

Mary Grant

Robert Grant

Elmina

Frank Lawlor.

C. Leslie Allen.

D. J. Maguinnis.
Mark M. Price.
Otis Skinner.
George R. Parks.
M. J. Jordan.
John T. Craven.
S. E. Springer.
H. E. Chase.

E. Y. Backus'.
H. A. Cripps.
Arthur Moulton.
Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer.
Rachel Noah.

Mary Tucker.

Master Harry Woodruff.

Charlene Weidman.

This piece ran until Christmas. A ballet was imported from
Europe, with Elena Cornalba and Ernestina Bossi as pre-
mieres, Gigia Ripamonti, Mauree Marechal, Leonilda Del
Santis, and Michaela Nappa as secondas, and Ariel the Fly-
ing Dancer as a special feature. Marie Bonfanti later re-
placed Cornalba as premiere, the latter being compelled by

277

THE BOSTON THEATRE

^C/%

Elena Cornalba

II *

illness to return home. Costumes, models, and designs were
brought from London and Paris, the entire production being

on a more lavish scale than had ever be-
fore been seen in this country. This was
the first of the Boston Theatre spectacles
to gain fame throughout the country, and
was followed in after-years by many more
of its kind.

Several Sunday concerts were heard
about this time, with such special features
as the Spanish Students, Jules Levy, the
Boston Cadet Band, etc.
Mapleson's Opera
Company began a three
weeks' season on Decem-
ber 27, the principals
being Gerster, Valleria, Cary, De Belocca,
Dotti, Campanini, Del Puente, Ravelli, and

Galassi. The only new
opera to be given was
Boito's"Mefistofele."

Joseph Proctor, supported by the
regular company, played "Nick of the
Woods," on the evening of January 1,
1881.

The Blanche Roosevelt English Opera
Company presented on January 10, for
the first time on any stage, Alfred Cel-
lier's opera, "The Masque of Pandora,"
which was adapted from Longfellow's

278

- f

Marie Bonfanti

Anna de Belocca

THE SEASON OF 1880-81

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

poem of the same name. The singers were Blanche Roosevelt,
Charlotte Hutchings, Rica Murilli,
Florence Durant, Annie A. Whit-
comb, Hugh Talbot, J. S. Greens-
f elder, and W. S. Daboll. The piece
fell flat and ran but two weeks.

Constantine Sternberg, Letitia
Fritsch, and Wilhelmj were heard
in concert on January 16 and 30.

Denman Thompson in "Joshua
Whitcomb," supported by his own
company, played three weeks, open-
ing on January 24.

Mary Anderson, with her own
company headed by Atkins Lawrence and Milnes Levick,
occupied the house for the next fortnight, presenting "Love,"

'Evadne," "Ingomar," 'Fazio,"
"Romeo and Juliet," "The Hunch-
back," 'Ion," and 'The Lady of
Lyons." In the latter play she had
the assistance of George Riddle as
Claude Melnotte.

The Ideal Opera Company fol-
lowed for three weeks, beginning on
February 28, presenting 'The Pi-
rates of Penzance," 'The Bells of
Corneville " (another name for " The
Chimes of Normandy"), "Olivette,"
and "Fatinitza." Myron W. Whit-
ney, Tom Karl, II. C. Barnabee,

279

Blanche Roosevelt

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Constantine Sternberg

George Frothingham, W. H. Macdonald, Adelaide Phillips,

Marie Stone, and Geraldine Ulmar
were in the company at that time.

'Pour Prendre Conge," an imitation
of the Hanlon Brothers' 'Le Voyage
en Suisse," was played for one week,
with Emmerson, Clark and the Daly
Brothers, Richard Golden, W. H. Bar-
tholomew, and Dora Wiley in the
cast, closing forever on the evening of
March 26.

Sarah Bernhardt made her first ap-
pearances in the Boston Theatre during the week of March
28, these plays being rendered in the French language: "Ca-
mille," " L'Etrangere," "Frou Frou," "Hernani," "Adrienne
Lecouvreur," and "La Princesse
Georges."

Frank Mayo played " The Streets
of New York" the week of April 4,
and Ingersoll lectured on " Some
Reasons Why "on Sunday, April 10.
Colonel Mapleson brought his Ital-
ian Opera Company back again for
the week of April 11, his daughter-
in-law, Marie Roze, being added to
his forces.

Rice's Surprise Party appeared
for three weeks beginning April 18
in "Prince Achmet," "Hiawatha,"
'Revels," and "Babes in the Geraldine Ulmar

280

THE SEASON OF 1880-81

Sarah Bernhardt

Wood," his company including Henry E. Dixey, John Gour-
lay, John A. Mackav, George W.
Howard, Topsy Venn, Jennie Yea-
mans, May Livingston, Carrie Per-
kins, Marion Singer, and Venie
Bennett.

Malm's Comic Opera Company
sang for one week commencing
May 9, in "Boccaccio" and "Don-
na Juanita," the principals being
Jeannie Winston, Janet Edmund-
son, Rose Leighton, Marie Somer-
ville, Wallace McCreety, Ellis Ryse,
Vincent Hogan, W. A. Morgan,
and Arthur A. Bell, the last-named

gentleman being the husband of Jeannie Winston, the star

of the organization.

The Ideals returned for the
week of May 16, singing "The
Bells of Corneville," "Oli-
vette," "Fatinitza," "The Bo-
hemian Girl," and "Pinafore."
D'Ovley Carte and E. E.
Rice's Opera Company sang
"Billee Taylor" for the fort-
night commencing May 23, the
company including J. H. Ry-
ley, W. H. Seymour. A. W. F.
McCollin, William Hamilton,
Jeannie Winston Arnold Breedon, Rachel San-

281

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ger, Rose Chapelle, Nellie Mortimer, and Carrie Burton. The
'Billee Taylor" hornpipe was danced by Lizzie Simms. It
was during this engagement that H. A. Cripps, who had been
playing small parts in this theatre for several years, took at
short notice the part of Sir Mincing Lane, W. H. Seymour
having been called away by the death of his mother. Mr.
Cripps acquitted himself so admirably that he was engaged
by the managers of the company and thus started on a career
in musical comedy in which he has been successful ever since,
either as singer, stage-manager, or leader of orchestra.

H. A. M'Glenen had a benefit on June 13, when Barton
Hill appeared in "Don Caesar de Bazan," George Riddle was
seen as Caliban in a scene from 'The Tempest," and the
Boston Opera Company sang "Betsy Baker."

The season closed on June 17 with a benefit to Rachel Noah
and Henry Morrison.

CHAPTER XXX

THE SEASON OF 1881-82

Beginning with this season a double company was main-
tained, in order that productions might be made in the
theatre and on the road at the same time. William Redmund
was the new leading man, having been engaged by Eugene
Tompkins in London. He afterwards married Mrs. Thomas
Barry, the leading lady, and they starred together for several
years. The roster of the double company was as follows:
William Redmund, L. M. McCormack, D. J. Maguinnis,
John E. Ince, J. H. Fitzpatrick, George R. Parks, John T.
Craven, S. E. Springer, H. E. Chase, E. Y. Backus, W. E.

William Redmund as Michael Strogoft'

Georere R. Parks

283

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Davis, John P. Endres, E. H. Allen, Raymond Finley, W. R.
Falls, E. P. Brown, Arthur Moulton, J. W. Taylor, Frank
Bnrbeck, Maurice Barry more, Frazer Coulter, George H.
Griffiths, Mark Price, E. A. Eberle, Charles Kent, E. D. Tan-
nehill, Howard Gould, Mrs. Barry, Rachel Noah, Annie
Proctor, Victoria Cameron, Kate Meek, Clara Fisher Mae-

der, Edith Kingdon, Rosa France, Helen
Leigh, and Emma Chase. Fred Stinson
was the business manager of the traveling-
company and Quiricy Kilby treasurer.

The Rice - Goodwin Lyric Comedy
Company opened the season on August
22, 1881, with five nights and two matin-
ees of "Billee Taylor," the singers being
Eugene Clarke, H. E. Dixey, Signor Bro-
colini, George Frothingham, A. W. F. Mc-
Collin, Rose Temple, Irene Perry, Emma
Burgess, and Rose Dana.

M. B. Leavitt's Gigantean Minstrels
played on Saturday evening, August 27,
John T. Craven in "Kit" and all of the ensuing week, the company

including the old-time minstrels Dan Em-
mett, Sam Sanford, Archie Hughes, and Dave Reed; other
members being Val Vose, Sanford and Wilson, Wood, Beas-
ley, and the Weston Brothers, Lew Benedict, Wood and West,
and Charles V. Seamon and the Girard Brothers.

F. S. Chanfrau followed on September 5 with two weeks of
'Kit," Mrs. Chanfrau appearing at the Saturday matinees in
"East Lynne."

Annie Pixley was seen for a fortnight beginning September

284

THE SEASON OF 1881-82

**^^' - >''f:-i ' > '-;;

The Boston Theatre draped in memory of President Garfield,
September 20, 1881

19 in "M'liss." On account of the death of President Gar-
field, the theatre was closed on the evenings of September 20
and 21, and again on the 26th, the day of his funeral.

The first great production of the season was Jules Verne's
spectacular drama, "Michael StrogofT," which was given an

285

THE BOSTON THEATRE

elaborate presentation on Wednesday evening, October 5, the
house having been closed on Monday and Tuesday for
rehearsals. Money was freely spent upon the production and
a large ballet was engaged, trained by Bibeyran Mamert and
headed by Amalia Lepri. Costumes, armors, and weapons
were again imported from Europe, a large number of horses
were used in the military scenes, and much lavish and beauti-
ful scenery was constructed. 'Michael Strogoff" was a great
success and ran eleven weeks. The cast was :

Michael Strogoff

Ivan Ogareff

O'Brien, Herald Correspondent

Jolivet, of the Figaro

Governor of Moscow

The Emir Feofar

Grand Dnke

Innkeeper

Tartar Officer

General Kiezoff

Chief of Police

Telegraph Operator

Tartar Sergeant

Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of

Moscow
Aide-de-Camp to Grand Duke
Peter, Inn Servant
Grand Priest
General Warrenzoff
First Traveler
Second Traveler
First Fugitive
Second Fugitive
Boatman
Marfa Strogoff
Nadia
Sangarre

William Redmund.
L. M. McCormack.

D. J. Maguinnis.
John E. Ince.

J. H. Fitzpatrick.
George R. Parks.
S. E. Springer.
John T. Craven.
H. E. Chase.

E. Y. Backus.
W. E. Davis.
John T. Craven.
J. P. Endres, Jr.

E. H. Allen.
R. S. Finley.

F. R. Waters.
H. A. Hartshorn.
W. D. Graham.
W. D. Evans.

F. B. Whall.

J. J. Williams.

W. R. Falls.

J. C. Talbot

Mrs. Thomas Barry.

Rachel Noah.

Annie E. Proctor.

286

THE SEASON OF 1881-82

Camilla Urso, Teresa Carreno and the Meigs sisters were
heard in concert on Sunday evening, October 23 and 30.

Her Majesty's Opera Company opened a two weeks' season
on December 26, the artists including Minnie Hauk, Emma

Nellie Poole
Jennie Prescott

Ida Francis
Evaline Stetson

Ballet Group, from "Michael Strogott"
287

THE BOSTON THEATRE

John E. Ince in " Michael Strogoff :

Juch, Paolina Rossini, Marie
Vachot, Valerga, Dotti, Cam-
paninij Galassi, Prevost, Del
Puente, and No vara. Mal-
vina Cavallazzi was the pre-
miere danseuse.

At the Elks' Benefit on
January 5, 1882, Thomas W.
Keene, Mr. and Mrs. George
S. Knight, Walter Emerson,
Cool Burgess, Maffitt and
Bartholomew, and others ap-
peared.

John McCullough, support-
ed by Edmund Collier, Kate
Forsyth, and his own com-

pany, began on January 9 a two weeks'
engagement in " Vinnnius," "The Gla-
diator," "Othello," "Brutus," "King
Lear," and "Ingomar."

Denman Thompson followed on Jan
uary 23 with three weeks of
"Joshua Whitcomb."

Sam Hague's Operatic
Minstrels gave a concert on
the evening of February 12.

Mary Anderson, support-
ed by her own company,
including William Harris,
J. B. Studley, and Robert

Camilla Urso

288

3
a

be
O

C/3

1-5

__,

i"*

i t

*-H

1
ID

b 1

C/J

-*j

%-<

<Tl

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Downing, came on February 13 for two weeks, being seen in
'Ingomar," ''Love," 'The Daughter of Roland," "Evadne,"

' Pygmalion and Galatea," and " Romeo and

t Juliet." On the evening of February 25 she

appeared in the latter play, with Joseph
Ha worth as Romeo.

The Ideal Opera Company played a three
weeks' engagement, commencing February
27, presenting 'The Bells of Corneville,"
ii J | "The Mascot," "The Bohemian Girl,"
L| K \ The Musketeers," "The Pirates of Pen-

E '^ zance," "Fatinitza," "Olivette," "Pina-

fore," and "The Czar and Carpenter."
" * " The World," a melodrama by Paul Mer-

itt, Henry Pettitt, and Augustus Harris,
which had had a long and successful run at
the Drury Lane Theatre, London, was given
an elaborate production on March 21, 1882,
and ran eleven weeks to some of the most
profitable business the theatre has ever known. Appended
is the cast:

Rosa France in
"The World"

Sir Clement Huntingford

Harry Huntingford

Mo Jewell

Martin Bashford

Blaekstone

Lumley

Owen

Ned

Dr. Wyndham

Dr. Hawkes

William Redmund.
George R. Parks.
D. J. Maguinnis.
Mark M. Price.

D. J. Sullivan.

E. A. Eberle.
Charles Kent.
Rosa France.

J. P. Endres, Jr.
E. H. Allen.

290

to
o

Sh
c3

tc
o

THE BOSTON THEATRE

F. R. Waters.

W. Graham.

J. J. Williams.

J. G. Holland.

W. D. Evans.

J. C. Talbot (Lawrence McCarty.)

Howard Gould.

H. R. Whall.

Mrs. Thomas Barry.

Annie E. Proctor.

Locksley

Rushton

Lawrence

Captain Pearson

Marshall

Joe

Commissioner in Lunacy

Detective

Mabel Huntingford

Mary Blythe

Howard Gould, who played the small part of the Com-
missioner in Lunacy, remained in the company only a few
months. After leaving here he rose rapidly to the position of
leading man and was starred by Daniel Frohman in "The
Prisoner of Zenda," " Rupert of Hentzau," and
"The Colonial Girl."

While "The World" was being presented in
the theatre, another company was playing it
on tour through New England to extremely
gratifying receipts.

Hague's Minstrels were heard again on Sun-
day, April 23.

Colonel Ingersoll lectured on Sunday even-
ing, April 30, on "Talmagian Theology."

On the afternoon of May 24 a testimonial
benefit was given to Eugene Tompkins, John
McCullough playing a scene from " Virginius,"
the stock company giving a scene from "The
Lady of Lyons," George Riddle a scene from
" (Edipus Tyrannus," in the original Greek,
and John T. Raymond playing in the farce, "Slasher and

Howard Gould

292

THE SEASON OF 1881-82

Crasher." In the latter piece D. J. Maguinnis was also billed
to appear, but when rehearsal time came it was discovered
that Raymond and Maguinnis had both studied the same
part. John T. Craven was hurriedly enlisted for the part of
Crasher, while Mr. Maguinnis sang "The Christening" for
his share of the entertainment.

H. A. M'Glenen had a benefit on May 31, when John
McCullough and Mary Anderson were seen together in "Tngo-
mar."

C. H. Smith's Double 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' Company,
with two Topsys, two Markses, and an unusual number of
bloodhounds and donkeys, began a two weeks' run on June 5,
closing the season on June 17.

A short summer season of Braham and Scanlon's Minia-
ture Opera Company, in "Patience," was given from July 8
to 20 inclusive. The membership included Ida Mulle,
Arthur Dunn, Jennie Dunn, Marguerite Fish, and Augustus
Heckler, Jr.

President Chester A. Arthur

CHAPTER XXXI

THE SEASON OF 1882-83

The company for the season of 1882-83 consisted of Wil-
liam Redmund, Charles H. Vandenhoff, Frazer Coulter,
D. J. Maguinnis, E. A. Eberle, Charles Kent, John T. Craven,
Walter Edwards, H. N. Wilson, W. A. Paul, Frank Oakes
Rose, S. E. Springer, H. E. Chase, E. Y. Backus, Thomas H.
McGrath, Phineas Leach, Stuart Clarke, J. P. Endres, Jr.,
Howard Gould, W. E. Davis, W. R. Falls, D. J. Sullivan,

294

THE SEASON OF 1882-83

J. J. Williams, J. W. Taylor, R. G. Wilson, J. W. Lanergan,

Master Tommy Russell, Mrs. Barry, Rachel

Noah, Louise Muldener, Edith Kingdon,

Grace Thorne, Rosa France, Mrs. E. A.

Eberle, Lizzie Anderson, Mrs. T. M. Hunter,

Ella Mayer, and Eleanor Merron. Fred

Stinson retired from and Frank Carlos

Griffith was added to the staff of the travel-

ing company.

The season opened with Henry Pettitt
and George Conquest's drama, "A Free
Pardon,

of "Queen's Evidence." This was produced on August 14
and ran three weeks. The cast was as follows :

James E. Murdoch

which had been acted in England under the name

Gilbert Medland and Philip Stanfield

Matthew Thornton

Isaacs and Jonas Levant

Sir Frederic Sydney

Walter Wynford

Joe

Arthur

Peter

Kate Medland

Ada Somers and Miss Sydney

Laura Sydney

William Redmund.
Frazer Coulter.

D. J. Maguinnis.

E. A. Eberle.
Frank Oakes Rose.
John T. Craven.
Master Tommy Russell.
Howard Gould.

Mrs. Thomas Barry.
Rachel Noah.
Grace Thorne.

F. S. Chanfrau came on September 4 for his customary
fortnight of "Kit."

Henry Pettitt and Augustus Harris's melodrama, "Youth,"
another Drury Lane success, was produced on September 19
and ran ten weeks. This was a military play which enlisted

295

THE BOSTON THEATRE

the services of a large num-
ber of supernumeraries in
the embarkation and battle

A Galling gun was

scenes.

used on the stage for the first

time in this country and a

tally-ho coach drawn by four

horses was driven upon the

stage and circled about, an

evolution impossible on any

other stage in the city. Par-
ticular attention was paid to

correctness and design in the

military uniforms, and the

white helmets, since so com-
mon in our own army uni-
forms, were seen here for the first time. The cast of "Youth'
was :

S. E. Springer in
" Youth "

Grace Thorne in
" Youth "

Reverend Joseph Darlington

Frank Darlington

Colonel Dalton

Major Randal Reekly

Captain Lord Loverton

Captain the Honorable Arthur Lavender

Willie Spratley

Larry O'Pheysey

Tom Gardham

Slaughterford

Deputy Governor of the Prison

Swinton

Fowler

E. A. Eberle.
William Redmund.
S. E. Springer.
Frazer Coulter.
E. Y. Backus.
H. E. Chase.
Grace Thorne.
D. J. Maguinnis.
Charles Kent.
D. J. Sullivan.
Thomas H. McGrath.
H. Hartford.
Frederick Lander.

296

THE SEASON OF 1882-83

Detective
Afghan Chief
Mrs. Wajsingham
Mrs. Darlington
Eve de Malvoisie
Amy Athol
Kitty Athol
Alice Wenlock
Bessie

Charles Witherell.
J. W. Taylor.
Mrs. Thomas Barry
Mrs. E. A. Eberle.
Louise Muldener.
Margaret Johnson.
Fannie B. Merrill.
Annie E. Proctor.
Ella Mayer.

On Sunday evenings during the run of 'Youth" concerts
were given by Clara Louise Kellogg and by Gilmore's Band,
and James E. Murdoch was heard in readings.

On the evening of October 16, 1882, President Chester A.
Arthur, accompanied by
Secretaries Lincoln and
Chandler, Private Secre-
tary Phillips, Assistant
Postmaster - General Hat-
ton, and Mayor Samuel A.
Green, attended the per-
formance of "Youth. " The
party left the theatre by
way of the stage-door and
were given a military sa-
lute by the soldiers in the
play.

Bartley Campbell's dra-
ma "The White Slave,"
was next given by the stock
company for four weeks beginning November 27, with this cast

297

Primrose and West

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Clay Britton

William Lacy

Patrick Henry Stitch

Judge Hardin

Job

Clem

Jack Hazelton

Natchez Jim

Captain Stryker

Bancroft

Little Jim

Count Strain

Jamison

Barkeeper

First Passenger

Lisa, the White Slave

Nance

Daphne

Mrs. Lee

Lettie Lee

Aunt Martha

William Redmund.
Frazer Coulter.

D. J. Maguinnis.
J. W 7 . Lanergan.

E. A. Eberle.
S. E. Springer.
H. E. Chase.
H. E. Chase.
D. J. Sullivan.
Phineas Leach.
Little Lulu.
Stuart Clarke.
Frederick Lander.
R. S. Finley.
Charles Witherell.
Louise Muldener.
Mrs. Thomas Barry.
Ellen Cummens.
Mrs. E. A. Eberle.
Grace Thorne.
Ella Mayer.

"The World'' was revived on December 25 for a three
weeks' run.

Celia Logan lectured on "Actresses" on Sunday evening,
December 10 and Harry W. French spoke on "The Land of
the Midnight Sun" on January 7.

John McCullough, supported by his own company, played
the weeks of January 15, 22, and 29, 1883, in his repertory
of tragic roles.

Gounod's Sacred Trilogy, "The Redemption," was heard
for the first time in Boston on Sunday, January 21, 1883, the
presentation being by local musicians.

298

THE SEASON OF 1882-83

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Minstrels were
six days commencing Feb-
ruary 5, the company in-
cluding George Thatcher,
Primrose and West, Hughey
Dougherty, Billy Rice, the
three Rankins, Frank Mc-
Nish,Burt Sheppard, Frank
Howard, George Turner,
Charles Queen, and Howe
and Bell.

Mary Anderson opened
on February 12 a two weeks'
engagement, supported by
her own company, no new
plays being presented.

Albani

heard for

Ravelli

George Riddle played Ro-
meo with her on February
24.

Mapleson began a two
weeks' season of Italian op-
era on February 26, his
chief singers being Adelina
Patti, Albani, Fursch-Madi,
Scalchi, Nicolini, Ravelli,
Mierzwinski, Galassi, and
Frapolli. They sang " L'Af-
ricaine," "La Sonnam-

299

THE BOSTON THEATRE

bula," "Linda di Chamouni," -William Tell," "II Trova-
tore," "La Traviata," "Faust," "Lohengrin," "The Flying
Dutchman," " Semiramide," and "Martha."

Leopold Damrosch and his New York Orchestra gave a

concert on Sunday, March 11, assisted
by Isidora Martinez and Teresa Car-
reno.

Barlow, Wilson and Company's Min-
strels were seen the week of March 12,
the company comprising Milt G. Bar-
low, George Wilson, Luke Schoolcraft,
George H. Coes, Happy Cal Wagner,
Barney Fagan, the Clipper Quartette,
Leopold Damrosch the Four Aces, Wood and West, Eddie

Fox, and others.
"Fifty Thousand Pounds, a Story of Pluck," another Drury
Lane melodrama by Pettitt and Harris, was given a costly pro-
duction on March 20, but did not attract the public and was
withdrawn after five weeks. The cast was as follows:

Jack Springfield William Redmund.

Stephen Clinton Frazer Coulter.

George Maitland Charles Kent.

Bevis Marks E. A. Eberle.

John Templeton S. E. Springer.

Peter Keene D. J. Maguinnis.

William Martin E. Y. Backus.

Matthew Locke H. E. Chase.

George Tullock J. W. Taylor.

Jem Grimes D. J. Sullivan.

Robert Arnold Charles Witherell.

Tom Bones R. S. Finley.

300

THE SEASON OF 1882-83

Jerry Grinstone E. P. Brown.

Florence Templeton Louise Muldener.

Ellen Maitland Edith Kingdon.

Mary Keene Grace Thorne.

Polly Burt Rachel Noah.

Dorothy Butler Rosa France.

Nellie Little Lulu.

Reverend E. E. Hale preached in the theatre on Sunday
evening, February 11, Robert Collyer, February 25, Warren
H. Cudworth, March 18, Brooke Herford on
March 25, M. J. Savage on April 1, and Mrs.
Mary A. Livermore on April 8, 1883.

At the Actors' Fund Benefit on the after-
noon of April 12, the volunteers were Leav-
itt's Gigantean Minstrels, Mr. and Mrs. W.
J. Florence, Corinne, Walter Emerson, the
Boston Theatre Company, the Temple Quar-
tette, Aldrich and Parsloe, the Olympia Quar- Mary a. Livermore
tette, Purdv the Skater, the Big Four, and the
"Iolanthe" Company.

"Love and Money," a drama by Charles Reade and Henry
Pettitt, was given its first American representation on April 23
and ran two weeks, with this cast :

William Hope William Redmund.

Leonard Monkton Frazer Coulter.

Robert Bartley E. A. Eberle.

Colonel Clifford S. E. Springer.

Walter Clifford H. E. Chase.

Henry Fitzroy John T. Craven.

Bob Burnley Charles Kent.

301

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Jem Seaton
John Powers
Mary Bartley
Julia Clifford
Lucy Monkton
Nurse Parker

E. P. Brown.
D. J. Sullivan.
Edith Kingdon.
Grace Thome.
Rachel Noah.
Maggie Johnson.

Napier Lothian had a benefit on the afternoon of May 2
when Lotta appeared as Musette to his Billy Bokus.

J. C. Duff's Standard Opera Company sang "Heart and
Hand" for two weeks commencing May 7, the principal artists

being J. H. Ryley, George Sweet,
Wallace McCreery, H. W.
Montgomery, Marie Conron,
Hatty Richardson, and Rosa
Cooke.

Carl Herrmann's Original
Thalia Comic Opera Com-
pany, under the directorship of
Heinrich Conried, sang Ludwig
Englander's opera " The Prince
Consort" in German for the
week of May 21.

J. H. Haverly's Mastodon
Minstrels appeared the week
of May 28, the entertainers
being Billy Emerson, Pete Mack, Johnson and Powers, E. M.
Hall, E. M. Kayne, Callan, Haley and Callan, the Girard
Brothers, Billy Richardson, the Gorman Brothers, and others.
The theatre was rented to T. Slater Smith for four
weeks from June 11, it having been closed for one week.

302

Edith Kingdon in 1882

THE SEASON OF 1882-83

Madame Fursch-Madi

Corinne in 1882

Harry Meredith filled the entire time with his own drama,
"Ranch 10," at reduced prices, the season finally closing

on Saturday,
July 7.

The Contin-
ental Guards of
N e w Orleans
gave military
tableaux on
Saturday after-
noon and even-
ing, June 16,
1883. The per-
formances were
under the aus-
pices of the

National Lane-
John T. Craven and Grace Thorne <? Boston

in " Love and Money "

D. J. Maguinnis in
" 50,000 "

CHAPTER XXXII

THE SEASON OF 1883-84

The company for the season of 1883-84 included : William
Redmund, Frazer Coulter, Walter Reynolds, Hamilton
Harris, Frank M. Norcross, E. A. Eberle, Charles Kent, John
T. Craven, Edwin Milliken, S. E. Springer, H. E. Chase, E. Y.
Backus, Frank Lamb, Phineas Leach, Stuart Clarke, W. E.
Davis, W. R. Falls, J. J. Williams, J. W. Taylor, E. P. Brown,
Will S. Ingersoll, R. C. Hudson, J. A. Hendrie, C. H. Currier,
R. S. Finley, Mrs. Barry, Rachel Noah, Edith Kingdom Grace

Thorne, Katie Wilson, May Newman,
Rosa France, and Lillian Calef. The
business and stage staffs were not
changed.

Edith Kingdon, who was a member of
this company for three seasons, went in
the autumn of 1884 to Daly's Theatre
in New York, where she remained until
her marriage to George Gould, the rail-
road magnate.

Grace Thorne, who was the daughter
of Charles R. Thorne, Jr., the former
leading man of the theatre, was married
later to Frazer Coulter, who became the
leading man in 1884-8.5.
Frazer Coulter Edwin Milliken, who had been a fa-

304

THE SEASON OF 1883-84

vorite Boston amateur before going on the stage in 1876, was
with the company but a few weeks when he was taken ill of
typhoid fever, from which he died in
Chicago early in March, 1884.

May Newman afterward starred in
"The White Slave" and other melo-
dramas, but retired on her marriage to
her manager, Mr. Harry Kennedy.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Min-
strels opened the season with the week
of August 27, 1883.

F. S. Chanfrau's ever-welcome fort-
night of "Kit" began on September 3.

The great event of the season was the
production of the spectacular drama,
"Jalma," which was written for the
theatre by Charles Gayler, the veteran
playwright. This was financially the

most successful spectacle ever presented in the Boston The-
atre and ran twelve weeks to very large receipts. The play
in itself was not of much consequence, except as a vehicle for
gorgeous display, though its title was an excellent one for ad-
vertising, being short, catchy, and easy to pronounce. Bibey-
ran Mamert was engaged to produce the ballet, whose mem-
bers were imported from abroad as usual. Rosina Viale and
Lucia Cormani were the premieres danseuses, and a particu-
larly attractive quartette of secondas consisted of Pattie, Marie,
Page, and Clifton. The greatest feature of all was 'The
March of the Silver Army," in which were shown more than
one hundred girls, clad in costly armors, who marched down

305

Rachel Noah

THE BOSTON THEATRE

a lofty staircase studded with enormous jewels, within a palace
whose walls were similarly emblazoned. The entire scene was
bathed in a glow from myriad calcium lights and surpassed
anything heretofore seen on this side of the Atlantic. The
original date of production was Wednesday, September 19,
1883, and the cast was as follows:

Jalma William Redinund,

Albrazon Frazer Coulter.

Tric-Trac Frank E. Lamb.

Prince Rajahmah E. Y. Backus.

Prince Beulah C. H. Currier.

Ahib R. S. Finley.

Droga D. J. Sullivan.

Phibo S. E. Springer.

Tarciosa Mrs. Thomas Barry.

Princess Meta Edith Kingdon.

Prismina Grace Thorne.

Fiametta Katie Wilson.

Falahdeen Rosa France.

"Jalma" was taken on tour and met with great success in
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and elsewhere. It was
never played in New York, and strange as it may seem, despite
its great achievements as a money-maker, it has never been
revived since that season.

On Friday afternoon, November 30, 1883, a testimonial was
given to Joseph Proctor in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of
his first appearance on the stage. In a scene from " Damon and
Pythias" Mr. Proctor was seen as Damon, the part which he
had played at his debut in the Warren Theatre in Boston on
November 29, 1833, William Redmund being the Pvthias on
this occasion. Lawrence Barrett and Wyzeman Marshall

306

Katie Wilson
Frazer Coulter
Miss Powers
Lucia Cormani

Edith Kingdon
William Redtnund
S. E. Springer
Rosina Viale

Jalma 1883

Mrs. Barry
Frank Lamb
Grace Thome
Rosa France

THE BOSTON THEATRE

played the quarrel scene of Cassius and Brutus from " Julius

Caesar" and volunteers were seen
from the other theatres in the

city.

Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, and
the Lyceum Theatre Company
of London made their first Bos-
ton appearances during the weeks
of December 10 and 17, 1883.
The opening bill was "Louis
XI," in which Miss Terry did
not appear, she being reserved
for the presentation of "The

308

Henry Irving

THE SEASON OF 1883-84

Merchant of Venice,'' on Wednesday, December 12. This

play continued the remainder of the

week until Saturday night, when " The

Captain of the Watch" and "The

Bells" were seen, without Miss Terry.

For the second week "Charles I,"

"The Lvons Mail," "Hamlet," "The

Bells," and "The Belle's Stratagem"

were given, both artists being in the

double bill of the last two pieces on

Saturday night.

Haverly's Mastodon Ministrels ap-
peared for two days, December 24
and 25, with the customary holiday
matinee.

Marcella Sembrich in 1883

Viola Allen

Henry E. Abbey's Grand
Italian Opera Company op-
ened on Wednesday evening
December 26, and remained
until January 5, the princi-
pal artists being Christine
Nilsson, Marcella Sembrich,
Fursch-Madi, Valleria, Tre-
belli, Scalchi, Campanini,
Capoul, Stagno, and Del
Puente. The only novelty
heard was "La Gioconda,"
which had its premiere on
January 1, 1884.

John McCullough, sup-

309

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ported by his own company, began a three weeks' stay on
^^^^. January 7, his leading man being Joseph

M m Haworth and his leading lady Viola Allen.

^^ This w r as Mr. McCullough's final engage-

ment in the Boston Theatre, Richard III
being the last part he was seen in, on Sat-
urday evening, January 26, 1884.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Min-
strels returned for the week of January 28,
1884, when they played to the astonish-
ingly large receipts of $14,188.50 in one
week of eight performances. These receipts
for a minstrel company have never been
approached at any theatre in the world at
regular prices, and they are all the more
notable in that there was no holiday or
anything in the way of outside attraction to
add to the drawing powers of the company
itself. At the previous visit of the
same company earlier in the sea-
son the receipts were excellent,
but in no way phenomenal.

Margaret Mather played her
first starring engagement here at
this time, opening on February 4,
and remaining three weeks. Alex-
ander Salvini and Milnes Levick
were her leading men and her re-
pertoire consisted of " Romeo and

Juliet," 'Leah," "As You Like Alexander Salvini

Margaret Mather

310

THE SEASON OF 1883-84

It," "The Lady of Lyons," and "The Hunchback." Henry
Irving and Ellen Terry returned for the week of February .5,
adding "Much Ado About Nothing" to their former list
of plays. The receipts for this single week were the largest
that Mr. Irving had ever played to in one week in his life,
$24,089.50.

Henry Abbey's Italian Opera Company sang again during
the week of March c 2 with the same singers as before, the offer-
ings being "Hamlet," '' Mefistofele," 'Roberto il Diablo,"
"Don Giovanni," "Le Prophete," "The Barber of Seville,"
and "La Gioconda."

Denman Thompson was seen for only a single week this
season, that of March 9, when he played " Joshua \Yhitcornb."

"The Silver Kino*," a drama by Henrv Arthur Jones and
Henry Herman, was produced on March 17 and ran six weeks,
though the receipts were disappointing. The cast was :

Wilfred Denver

Nellie Denver

Cissy

Ned

Daniel Jaikes

Capt. Herbert Skinner, known as "The

Spider"
Sam Baxter, a Detective
Elijah Coomhes
Harry Corkett
Cripps

Frank Selwyn
Geoffrey Ware
Parkyn

Tremens, a Tipsy Passenger
Bilcher
Tnbbs
Gaffer Pottle

William Redmund.
Mrs. Thomas Barry
May Germon.
Alice Pierce.

D. J. Maguinnis.

Frazer Coulter.
Charles Kent.

E. A. Eberle.
John T. Craven.
H. E. Chase.
Will S. Ingersoll.
R. C. Hudson.
Phineas Leach.
Walter Burton.
Charles E. Lothian.
Edward A. Page.
Walter Burton.

311

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Leaker E. P. Brown.

Teddy T. S. Withe rell.

Railway Inspector J. A. Hendrie.

Railway Porter J. B. Sturtevant.

Mr. Binks J. J. Williams.

Mr. Bronson R. S. Finley.

Detective E. P. Brown.

Servant to Skinner J. G. Munroe.

Newsboy Master Jack Jacobs.

Olive Skinner Rachel Noah.

Tabitha Durden Emma Jones.

Susy Lillian Calef.

Mrs. Gammage Bessie Ginty.

Frank Mayo played "The Streets of New York" the week
of April 28.

"Jalma" returned on May 5 and remained three weeks,
but its receipts were much smaller than during the previous
engagement, it being an almost invariable rule that breaking
the run of a play is fatal to its drawing capabilities.

Ingersoll lectured on "Orthodoxy' 1 on Sunday, May 11.

For the week of May 26 the theatre was dark, excepting on
Wednesday evening, when H. A. M'Glenen had his annual
benefit.

Bartholomew's Equine Paradox, a troupe of highly trained
horses, opened on June 2 and continued four weeks, closing
the season on June 28. The performance of Saturday morn-
ing, June 14, was entirely free to all children under twelve,
while the performance of Monday evening, June 16, was free
to all truckmen and teamsters, no money being taken on
either occasion.

CHAPTER XXXIII

THE SEASON OF 1884-85

The season of 1884-85 proved to be an eventful one for
the theatre, for it was the last in which a stock company
was regularly engaged, as since that time the actors have been
engaged especially for their parts in the productions which
have been made, and not for the entire season.

Orlando Tompkins died on November 29, 1884, after
twenty years of management which had been crowned by
success. Henry Morrison, who had been comptroller of the
theatre for the same period, fell ill during the year and never
was able to return to his post of duty. John M. Ward, who
had been in the box-office of the establishment for a period of
twenty-six years, retired from theatrical business at the end
of this season. Napier Lothian, Jr., who had been connected

with the establishment as call-boy,
prompter, and stage - manager since
1870, left at the end of the year, and
Annie Endress concluded her term of
service as costumer.

The company this season was com-
posed of both actors and singers, as a
musical production was made in the
theatre at the same time that 'The
Silver King" and "Youth" were being
played on the road. The roster was as

313

John M. Ward

Ticket-Aecnt and Treasurer for
twenty-six years

THE BOSTON THEATRE

follows : Frazer Coulter, D. J. Maguinnis, John T. Craven,
E. A. Eberle, Frank M. Burbeck, John D. Gilbert, H. E.
Chase, Gus Kammerlee, Fred P. Ham, Phineas Leach, T. H.
Magrath, E. Y. Backus, D. J. Sullivan, W. S. Ingersoll, E. P.
Brown, J. W. Taylor, Louise Paullin, May Stembler, Carrie
Burton, Rachel Noah, Grace Thorne, Elma Delaro, Ella
Mayer, Norma Wills, Mrs. M. A. Pennoyer, Anita Harris,
Josie Hall, Blanche Sherwood, Romie Sherwood, Alice Veazie,
and May Germon.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Minstrels filled the opening
week, beginning August 25.

F. S. Chanfrau played, in the fortnight commencing Sep-
tember 1, what proved to be his last engagement here in " Kit,"
as he died soon afterward, having been ill only a short time.
This was the thirteenth consecutive autumn and the fourteenth
year of " Kit" in this house, and it drew a great deal of money
for the house and the star. Mr. Chanfrau 's son Henry played
the piece for some years after his father's death, but the at-
tractiveness had gone with the first exponent, and it is now
no longer seen.

"Zanita," a musical comedy spectacle by Dexter Smith and
Eugene Tompkins, was produced on September 16 and ran
twelve weeks. This was an even more expensive production
than " Jalma." The ballet was led by Antonietta Bella, one
of the best dancers and most beautiful women that our stage
has seen. Associated with her were Felicita Carozzi, Romilda
Vio, Riceio, Pattie, Marie, Eva Clifton, and Rose Beckett.
The costume, armors, and scenery were magnificent in the
extreme. Electric lights were carried by the dancers for the
first time here. Fine singers and quaint comedians were en-

314

Orlando Tompkins

THE BOSTON THEATRE

gaged, and everything possible was done to make it even a
greater success than its predecessor, but it never gained so
much favor in the eyes of the public as did " Jalma," whose
record has never been equaled in this theatre. The cast of
"Zanita" was:

Prince Pepito

Princess Zanita

Amelia

Prince Huon

Cabella

Puck

Alfredo

Velvetto

King Fossilo

Belot

Bibo

Vulgo

Drogu

Spark

Grope

Delvo

Louise Paullin.
May Stembler.
Elma Delaro.
Josie Hall.
Norma Wills.
Rosie Sherwood.
Minnie Emerson.
Blanche Sherwood.
D. J. Maguinnis.
John D. Gilbert.
Fred P. Ham.
Gus Kammerlee.
William Tuttle.
Andrew Metzgar.
Theo. B. Dilloway.
Joseph Byrne.

The theatre was closed on the evening of Tuesday, Decem-
ber 2, 1884, on account of the funeral of Orlando Tompkins,
who died the previous Saturday.

Concerts were given on Sunday evenings, November 9 and
16, by the Levy Concert Company, which included Jules Levy,
Stella Costa, Ollie Torbett, Constantine Sternberg, Lida Hood
Talbot, and Mr. O'Mahoney.

A concert on Sunday, December 7, introduced Clara Louise
Kellogg, Alta Pease, Ovide Musin, the Temple Quartette, and
Master Leopold Godowsky.

316

THE SEASON OF 1884-85

The Milan Opera Company, an excellent organization
insufficiently financed, appeared for the week of December 8,
the chief singers being Ma-
ria Peri, Damerini, Orlandi,
Marchesi, Wilmant, Fugazzi,
and Giannini. "Rigoletto,"
"Faust," "II Trovatore,"
"Aida," "Sonnambu la,"
"Norma," and "The Barber
of Seville," were sung, and a
concert was given on Sunday,
December 14.

Mine. Adelaide Ristori,
who played in Italian, while
her company used only the
English language, was seen
the week of December 15 in
"Elizabeth," "Marie Antoi-
nette," and "Marie Stuart."

Gilmore's Band, with Emily Spader as soloist, played on
Sunday, December 21.

John Rickaby's company in 'The Pavements of Paris"
played the week of December 22.

Victoria Morosini Huhlskamp, whose chief claim for noto-
riety lay in the fact that she eloped with her father's coachman,
appeared in concert on December 28.

Mapleson's Opera Company began a two weeks' season on
December 29, his drawing cards being Patti, Nevada, Fursch-
Madi, Scalchi, Dotti, Vicini, Cardinally Serbolini, and
Giannini, the latter being a recruit from the Milan Opera

317

Nevada

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Company. The single novelty was "Mirella," which was first
sung here on January 1, 1885. Rossini's "Stabat Mater" was
given on Sunday, January 4.

Charles F. Atkinson's company in "Peck's Bad Boy" ap-
peared for one night, Saturday, January 10.

Thomas W. Keene, supported by his own company, played
"Richard III" the entire week of January 12.

Ingersoll lectured on "Which Way" on Sunday, January
18. He also spoke on "Blasphemy," on April 19.

"The Shadows of a Great City," which was written by
L. R. Shewell and was under the management of L. R.
Shewell, C. B. and Thomas Jefferson, played the week of

January 19.

At the Actors' Fund Benefit on the

afternoon of January 22, among other

attractions N. C. Goodwin, Jr., played

'Those Bells" in imitation of Henry

Irving.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's
Minstrels began their second visit this
season on January 26, and stayed two
weeks. Margaret Mather in her le-
gitimate roles followed for two weeks,
commencing February 9. Henry Lud-
lam, who then played minor parts in
her company, has since blossomed
into Henry Ludlowe, a Shake-
spearean star.
The Elks' Benefit on February 17 introduced the McCaull
Opera Company in an act from 'The Sorcerer," Harry G.

318

Scalchi

THE SEASON OF 1884-85

Marianne Brandt

Richmond, William Gillette and company in an act from " The

Private Secretary," Annie A.

Park, cornetist, Henry Irving

and company in an act from

"Louis XI," La Petite Louise

Marguerite, the Boston Museum

Company in an act from "Fan-
tine," Margaret Mather and

Frederick Paulding in a scene

from "Romeo and Juliet," the

Olympia Quartette, Beaudry

and Lee, Manchester and Jen-
nings, Andy and Annie Hughes,

Kitty O'Neil,
Harry Blood-
good, and the Imperial Banjo Quartette.
Lawrence Barrett opened February 23 for
two weeks of "Francesca da Rimini," sup-
ported by Louis James, Marie Wain-
wright, and others, following this with two
more weeks of "Julius Caesar," : 'A Blot
in the 'Scutcheon," 'Yorick's Love,"
"Richelieu," "The King's Pleasure,"
"David Garrick," and "The Merchant
of Venice." Denman Thompson came
on March 23 for a fortnight of " Joshua
Whitcomb." On the evening of Friday,
March 27, 1885, during the performance
of "Joshua Whitcomb," a child was born
in the family circle of the theatre.

319

Materna.

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The Damrosch Grand German Opera Company, named
at this tim^ for Dr. Leopold Damrosch and not as later for
his son Walter, filled the fortnight commencing April 6 with
"Le Prophete," "Tannhauser," "Fidelio," "Lohengrin,"
"La Juive," "Orpheus and Eurydice," "Die Walkiire,"
and "La Dame Blanche." The chief singers were Materna.
Brandt, Martinez, Slach, Udvardy, Hock, and Charles R.
Adams.

Haverly's American-European Minstrels were seen the

week of April 20, their roster in-
cluding Bob Slavin, Carroll John-
son, the Gorman Brothers, the Qua-
ker City Quartette, Charley Queen,
J. M. Norcross, Joseph Garland,
Raymond Shaw, Duncan the ven-
triloquist, and the Cragg Family of
gymnasts, who were the first acro-
bats to appear here in evening dress
and to do the four-high fall.

Mapleson's Opera Company re-
turned for the week of April 27.
Harry Bloodgood had a benefit
on Saturday evening, May 2, when among other attractions
"Trial by Jury" was given with a cast which included Walter
Pelham, Arthur Wilkinson, and Rose Stella.

Frank Mayo, supported by his own company, played "Nor-
deck" the week of May 4, and "The Streets of New York "
the week of the 11th.

Minnie Palmer in "My Sweetheart" was the attraction the
week of May 18.

320

Minnie Palmer

THE SEASON OF 1884-85

Atkinson's "Peck's Bad Boy" came for a fortnight com-
mencing May 25.

Napier Lothian had a benefit on May 26, when Maggie
Mitchell appeared at a matinee as "Little Barefoot" to the
William Peace of Mr. Lothian. Napier Lothian, Jr., also had
a benefit on June 10, when Henry T. Chanfrau made his first
appearance here in his father's role of 'Kit." On June 17,
1885, Frazer Coulter took a benefit, when "Richard III" was
presented with a different Richard for each act, the exponents
being Louis James, Joseph Haworth, Frazer Coulter, Louis
Aldrich, and N. C. Goodwin, Jr. This closed the house for
the season.

CHAPTER XXXIV

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

Eugene Tompkins succeeded to his father's interest in the
firm, whose name now became Hill and Tompkins, with
Noble H. Hill as senior partner. The dramatic company was
dispensed with and the theatre joined the ranks of the com-
bination houses.

For the season of 1885-86 the staff was as follows : Hill and
Tompkins, proprietors ; Eugene Tompkins, manager; H. A.
M'Glenen, business agent; Noble H. Hill, Jr., treasurer;
Lawrence McCarty, stage-manager; Napier Lothian, musical
director; Charles S. Getz, J. S. Getz, John Sommer, and
Richard Gannon, scenic artists; W. P. Prescott, machinist;
J. B. Sullivan, properties; George Sevey, gas engineer;
Daniel Hurley and Louis Goullaud, ticket agents; W. H.

Onthank, chief usher, a position which he
had held for years and which he retained
until a short time before his death in 1895;
J. W. Taylor, master of auxiliaries.

The season opened on August 10, 1885,
with Barlow, Wilson and Rankin's Min-
strels, who remained one week.

Murray and Murphy, in "Our Irish Vis-
itors," played the week of August 17, Loie
Fuller being a member of the company.

322

Lawrence McCarty

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

Judic

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Minstrels filled the week of

August 24.

The Big Specialty Company

was seen for the week of August

31, the performers being Capitola

Forrest, Harrington and John-
son, Maud Beverly, Sheehan and

Coyne, Valvo, Ella Wesner, Val-

jean, the Four Shamrocks, Wood,

Beasley and the Weston Broth-
ers, and the French Troupe Da-

vene. Joe Coyne, of Sheehan and

Coyne, has since become a comic

opera star. Annie Pixley followed

on September 7 for two weeks,

in"M'liss."

The Kiralfy brothers, Imre and Bolossy, presented "Around

the World in Eighty Days," on September 21 for two weeks,

"The Shadows of a Great City '"
played a fortnight, beginning Oc-
tober 5.

Mile. Rhea then appeared for
one week in " Lady Ashley," ' The
Power of Love," "A Dangerous
Game," " Frou-Frou," and " Com-
edy and Tragedy."

Mine. Judic made her first ap-
pearance in Boston on October 26
and remained two weeks, present-
ing the following plays in the

323

Hortense Rhea

THE BOSTON THEATRE

M. B. Curtis as Sam'l of Posen

week
vember 23, their receipts for
the evening of Thanksgiving,
November 26, being the largest
ever taken in one performance
by a minstrel company in this
theatre. Charles Mitchell, the
pugilist, was featured with this
company in artistic posing.

Tommaso Salvini opened on
November 30 for two weeks,
appearing only on the Monday,
Tuesday, Thursday, and Fri-
day evenings and Saturday

324

French language: 'La Femme a
Papa," "Mile. Nitouche," "Nini-
che," "Lili," "La Mascotte," "Di-
vorcxms," and "La Cosaque."

Harry W. French began on Sun-
day, October 25, a series of illus-
trated lectures on American and
European travel, which lasted for
seven Sunday evenings.

M. B. Curtis made his appear-
ance on November 9 and remained
a fortnight, presenting "Sam'l of
Posen."

McNish, Johnson and Slavin's
Minstrels
p 1 a y e <

Charles Mitchell

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

matinees. He spoke in Italian while his company used only
the English language. On the
Wednesday and Saturday even-
ing's his son Alexander Salvini
played "The Duke's Motto" in
English, supported by his father's
company, of which Viola Allen
was the leading lady. The elder
Salvini was seen in "The Gladi-
ator," "Othello," "Coriolanus,"
"The Outlaw," "Ingomar," and
"King Lear."

At the Elks' Benefit on Decem-
ber 10, 1885, the attractions were

Agnes Huntington

Alma Fohstroin

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wat-
son, Alexander Salvini and
company, the Lotus Glee
Club, Daniel Sully and com-
pany, D. J. Maguinnis in
songs, JohnT. Raymond and
company, McNish, Johnson
and Slavin's Minstrels,
D'Oyley Carte's "Mikado"
company, Lydia Thompson
in recitation, Tommaso Sal-
vini in recitation, "Le Ul-
time Ore di Cristoforo Col-

325

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Robson and Crane as the Two Dromios

ombo," the Ladies' Schubert Quartette, and others. Robson

and Crane filled the
weeks of December
14, 21, and 28, with
an elaborate produc-
tion of " The Comedy
of Errors," the stars
being cast for the two
Dromios.

Reverend W. W.
Downs lectured on
Sunday evenings, De-
cember 27, and Jan-
uary 3.

Colonel Mapleson
brought Her Majesty's Opera Company on January 4, 1886,
his artists being Minnie Hauk, Alma Fohstrom, Lillian Nor-
dica, Mme. Lablache, Miles. Bauermeister and Dotti, Ravelli,
Giannini, Del Puente, De Anna,
Cherubini, and Rinaldini. The op-
eras were "Carmen," "Fra Dia-
volo," "Manon," "Maritana," "La
Traviata," "Faust," "Don Gio-
vanni," "Rigoletto," and "Mar-
tha." The first Boston presentation
of Massenet's opera "Manon" was
on Tuesday, January 5, 1886.

Lester and Allen's Minstrels, with
John L. Sullivan the pugilist and
William Muldoon the wrestler fea- Nordica

326

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

John L. Sullivan

tured in classic posings, were seen on the evening of Satur-
day, January 16, and all of the follow-
ing week.

The Kiralfy Brothers' spectacle
"The Ratcatcher, or the Pied Piper
of Hamelin," with Hubert Wilke as
the Piper, was seen for a fortnight
beginning January 25. In the ballet
of this production were three young
ladies who afterward became stars.
Amelia Glover a few years later was
perhaps the best-known dancer in

America and married her manager, John Russell ; Louise
Allen married William Collier and starred with him; and

Clara Lipman married arid starred
with Louis Mann.

The Boston Ideal Opera Com-
pany sang for two weeks beginning
February 8, the principals being
H. C. Barnabee, Tom Karl, W. H.
MacDonald, Zelie de Lussan, Ma-
rie Stone, Agnes Huntington, Hern-
don Morsell, George Frothingham,
and W. H. Clark. Fred Williams
was the stage-manager and S. L.
Studley the musical director, as he
was during the entire career of the
Ideals and the Bostonians. Their
offerings were 'The Bohemian
Girl," "Victor, the Blue Stocking,"

327

l .

William Muldoon

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Giralda," 'Fra Diavolo," and "Martha." At the Theat-
rical Mechanics' Benefit on the
afternoon of Thursday, Feb-
ruary 11, among other volun-
teers Nate Salsbury and Nellie
McHenry appeared in comedy
sketches.

Denman Thompson came on
February 22 for a final week
of ' Joshua Whitcomb," since
when he has not revived that
play in this city.

Margaret Mather appeared
on March 1 and for the follow-
ing fortnight in "The Honey-
Juliet," and

/XK

Marie Stone

moon," "Romeo and
"Leah."

"Nym Crinkle" (A. C. Wheeler) lec-
tured on Sunday, March 14, in reply to
Ingersoll, but found that the general
public showed much more interest in
listening to the great agnostic himself
than to those who answered him.

The McCaull Opera Company sang
'The Black Hussar" for two weeks
commencing March 15, the principals
being Mark Smith, Edwin Hoff, De-
Wolf Hopper, A. W. Maflin, Montjoy
Walker, Louise Lablache, Marie Jan-
sen, and Mathilde Cottrelly.

328

Zelie de Lussan

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

Frank Daniels

Daniel Sully

Judic returned on March

29 for six days, singing "La

Grande Duchesse," 'La

Mascotte," "La Belle Helene," "La Perichole," "La Jolie

Parfumeiise," and "La Vie Parisienne."

Denman Thompson first presented "The Old Homestead ' :
in the Boston Theatre on April 5, 1886, when it was seen for
two weeks only. Its success was instantaneous and he has re-
turned with it again and again, always meeting with an en-
thusiastic reception and phenomenal financial returns. The
first cast of the play is given here :

Boston Theatre
Monday, April 5th, 1886
DENMAN THOMPSON

will present his new play by Denman Thompson and George W. Ryer,

entitled.

329

THE BOSTON THEATRE

THE OLD HOMESTEAD
A Sequel to "Joshua Whitcomb."

Act I. Homestead Farm of the Whitcomb family at Swanzey, New

Hampshire.

as Joshua Whitcomb.

George Beane.

Walter Lennox, Senior.

Walter Gale.

Edward Cameron.

John P. Savage.

Mrs. C. E. Knowles.

Miss Jennie Williams.

Miss Annie Thompson.
Incidental music : Solos by Edward Cameron, Miss Jennie Wil-
liams and Walter Gale. Quartette, Miss Alice Logan, Miss Rosa
Cooke, Edward Cameron, and Gus Kammerlee.

Denman Thompson
"Cy" Prime
Seth Perkins
Happy Jack
Frank Hopkins
Reuben Whitcomb
Aunt Matilda
Ricketty Ann
Annie Hopkins

Act II. Parlors in

Denman Thompson
Henry Hopkins
Judge Patterson
Frank Hopkins
Francois Fogarty
Mrs. Henry Hopkins
Annie Hopkins
Flora Patterson
Nellie Patterson
Incidental music :

the Hopkins Mansion, New York City.

as Joshua Whitcomb.

Walter Lennox, Senior.
Gus Kammerlee.
Edward Cameron.
Frank Mara.
Miss Rosa Cooke.
Miss Annie Thompson.
Miss Alice Logan.
Miss Minnie Luckstone.
Solo, Gus Kammerlee, with Quartette.

Act III Grace Church by Moonlight, Broadway, near 10th

Street, New York City.

Denman Thompson as Joshua Whitcomb.

An Old Timer George Beane.

Paola Spaghetti Walter Lennox, Senior.

330

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

Jack Hazzard Walter Gale.

Reuben Whitcomb John P. Savage.

Blobski, cane merchant Charles Kruger.

One of the Finest George S. Robinson.

Mena, the flower girl Miss Minnie Luckstone.

Mrs. Maguire Frank Mara.

Incidental music by the Double Quartette, Miss Alice Logan,
Miss Rosa Cooke, Miss Minnie Luckstone, Mrs. C. E. Knowles,
Edward Cameron, John P. Savage, Gus Kammerlee and Charles
Kruger. Solo, Miss M. Luckstone.

Act IV. Kitchen in the Old Homestead.

Denman Thompson as Joshua Whitcomb.

"Cy Prime" George Beane.

Seth Perkins Walter Lennox, Senior.

Jack Hazzard Walter Gale.

Reuben Whitcomb Edward Cameron.

Oscar Whitcomb Charles Kruger.

Will Fields Frank Mara.

Aunt Matilda Mrs. C. E. Knowles.

Anna Maria Murdock Miss Rosa Cooke.

Sophronia Holbrook. Miss Alice Logan.

The two 1 Miss Minnie Luckstone.

Stratton gals j Miss Annie Thompson.

Luella Eaton Miss Jennie Williams.

Incidental music: Solo and chorus, John P. Savage and Quartette.

The American Opera Company, a native organization upon
which money had been lavishly spent, followed for the week
of April 19, presenting the operas "Lohengrin,'" 'Lakme,"
"Orpheus and Eurydice," "The Merry Wives of Windsor,"
: The Flying Dutchman," and "The Marriage of Jeannette,"
and the ballet "Sylvia." The large and fine orchestra was
under the leadership of Theodore Thomas, the chorus and the

331

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ballet were each the largest and best that had been seen in this

f^^^^ country, the scenic productions were

lavish and beautiful, as also were the
costumes, but the company was weak
% in its principals, who included Emma

is
r^ Juch, Helene Hastreiter, Pauline L'Al-

lilA>jg| lemand, Annis Montague, Charlotte

Walker, Jessie Bartlett Davis, Ma-
J Wf thilde Phillips, Myron Whitney, Wil-

I i . i lit ( imdidus, William I au\\\ ig,
Theodore Thomas Alonzo Stoddard, W. H. Fessenden,

Whitney Mockridge, Eugene Oudin,
W. H. Hamilton, and John Howson.

The Kiralfy Brothers presented "The Black Crook" for
two weeks, commencing April 26.

At the Actors' Fund Benefit on April 29 among other at-
tractions Frank Daniels and
Bessie Sanson were seen in an
act from "A Rag Baby."

The noteworthy event of this
season was the joint appearance
of Tommaso Salvini and Edwin
Booth, who appeared under
the management of Charles H.
Thayer in "Othello" on May ?
10 and 12 and the matinee of
the 15th, and in "Hamlet" on
the evening of the 14th, their
supporting company being a

notable One. The casts follow : Helene Hastreiter

332

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

Othello

Iago

Emilia

Desdemona

Brabantio

The Doge of Venice

Cassio

Montano

Roderigo

Lodovico

Gratiano

Paola

Herald

Messenger

Tommaso Salvini.
Edwin Booth.
Mrs. D. P. Bowers.
Miss Marie Wainwriht.
C. W. Couldock.
Barton Hill.
Alexander Salvini.
John A. Lane.
George W. Wilson.
James Wallis.
Alfred Hearn.
E. E. Delamater.
Stuart Clarke.
Royal Roche.

Hamlet.

Hamlet

The Ghost of Hamlet's Father

Gertrude

Ophelia

Polonius

Claudius

Laertes

Horatio

Rosencrantz

Guildenstern

Osric

First Grave Digger

Second Grave Differ

Marcellus

Bernardo

Francisco

Edwin Booth.
Tommaso Salvini.
Mrs. D. P. Bowers.
Miss Marie Wainwright.
C. W. Couldock.
Barton Hill.
Alexander Salvini.
John A. Lane.
B. T. Ringgold.
James Wallis.
Frank Little.
George W. W r ilson.
Stuart Clarke.
John Hearn.
Royal Roche.
W. B. Gross.

333

THE BOSTON THEATRE

First Actor
Second Actor
Player Queen
Priest

W. J. Constantine.
E. E. Delamater.

Miss Rachel Noah.
W. A. James.

C. W. Couldock

C. W. Couldock played "The Willow Copse" for the bene-
fit of Daniel Hurley on May 11, and on
the evening of May 15 Alexander Sal-
vini and Marie Wainwright played
"Romeo and Juliet'* for the Ushers
and Doorkeepers' benefit.

Charles L. Davis was seen in " Alvin
Joslin" the week of May 17.

Baker and Farron presented "A
Soap Bubble" the week of May 24.
A specialty company was engaged

for the week
of May 81,

which included the Horseshoe
Four, Hamlin and Hamlin, the Four
Shamrocks, Sam Devere, Conroy
and Dempsey, The Big Four, Flora
% Moore, Fox and Van Auken, the

Three Musical Kings, and the Clip-
per Quartette.

Charles A. Watkins rented the
theatre for five weeks and presented
the following attractions : June 7,
Ada Gray in "East Lynne"; June
14, George C. Boniface in "The
Ada Gray Streets of New York"; June 21,

334

THE SEASON OF 1885-86

Robert McWade in " Rip Van Winkle " ; June 28, Miles and
Barton's Bijou Opera Company in "The Bridal Trap"; July
5, "Fun on the Bristol," with Miss St. George Hussey and
George Richards featured. This engagement closed the
season.

CHAPTER XXXV

THE SEASON OF 1886-87

Noble H. Hill died on January 5, 1886, and his interest
in the Boston Theatre was bought by Eugene Tomp-
kins, who then became sole proprietor and manager. Charles
S. Getz retired from the position of scenic artist, which he had
so well and artistically filled for thirteen years, and returned to
his old home in Baltimore.

For the season of 1886-87 the staff was very little changed
from the previous year. Quincy Kilby, who had been con-
nected with the traveling companies of the theatre for six
years, was made treasurer, and James T. Graham became

assistant ticket-agent. Charles
S. Harris, who had served the
theatre in minor capacities for
several years, was made adver-
tising agent, a position which
he continued to hold until 1908.
The season opened on Au-
gust 16, 1886, with one week of
McNish, Johnson and Slavin's
Minstrels, whose roster in-
cluded Frank McNish, Carroll
Johnson, Bob Slavin, Burt Ha-
ve rly, Frank Howard, Fox and
Van Auken, Willis Pickert, and

Quincy kilby
Treasurer for fifteen years Frank Hilton.

336

Eugene Tompkins
Manager for twenty-three years

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Dillon, Ames and Kent yed "Condemned to Death" the

week of August 23. R. J. Dillon
and Charles Kent of this com-
bination were former members of
the Boston Theatre Stock Com-
pany.

Murray and Murphy followed
on August 30 with one week of
'Our Irish Visitors."
Henry Chanfrau played his
0P- father's favorite " Kit" the week

of September 6, having in his

% support the following former

J. K. Emmett members of the Boston Theatre

Company: D. J. Maguinnis,
Mark Price, Rachel Noah, Grace Thorne, Mrs. M. A. Pen-
noyer, H. E. Chase, and J. W.
Taylor. Monday, September 6,
was the first celebration of Labor
Day, which at that time did not
materially help theatrical busi-
ness, though it has since become
one of the best holidays for draw-
ing crowds to the play-houses.

James A. Heme presented
"The Minute Men," a Revolu-
tionary drama of his own writing,
which did not meet with much
favor.

The Kiralfy Brothers offered

338

James A. Heme in " The Minute
Men "

THE SEASON OF 1886-87

"Around the World in Eighty ys" for a fortnight com-
mencing September "20.

A benefit for the sufferers by the Charleston earthquake
was given on Sunday, September 26, by the members of the
Boston Ideal Opera Company and the orchestra of the Music
Hall Promenade Concerts.
The receipts were $2376.25 ****

and were given in their en-
tirety to the relief commit-
tee.

" The Shadows of a Great
City" filled the fortnight
beginning October 4.

Justin McCarthy deliv-
ered a lecture on Sunday,
October 10.

J. K. Emmett acted and
sang in "Fritz" the week
of October 18 to far greater
receipts than he had' ever
before attracted in this city.

Henry W. French gave
illustrated lectures on "Ire-
land and the Irish" on Sunday evenings, October 17, 24, and
31, and November 7. Robson and Crane appeared for the
week of October 25 in "The Merry Wives of Windsor," a play
which had not been seen in this city for eighteen years. Crane
beine: the Falstaff and Robson the Slender.

Denman Thompson came on November 1 for a single- week
of "The Old Homestead."

W. H. Crane as Falstaff

339

THE BOSTON THEATRE

I*;**

Mrs. Langtry

I i k " .

Mrs. Langtry, the noted English beauty, was billed for the

next fortnight, but was ill on the Monday
night and the house was closed. She ap-
peared on Tuesday, but had a relapse and
did not play the rest of the week, her role
of Pauline being taken by Miss Annie
Clarke, the favorite Boston Museum lead-
ing lady. Mrs. Langtry was able to play
all the next week. Although she did not
act the part so well as Miss Clarke, there
was no doubt about her beino; able to
draw more money. On Wednesday after-
noon, November 17, Mrs. Langtry was
seen in "A Wife's
Peril."
Hon. Clarence Pullen lectured on
"The Apaches" on Sunday evening
November 14.

McNish, Johnson and Sla-
vin returned for Thanksgiving
week.

Mile. Rhea, who spoke Eng-
lish with a very pronounced
accent, played "The Widow"
on November 29, 30, and De-
cember 1, and "Fairy Fin-
gers" on December 2, 3 and 4.
Michael Davitt lectured on
Sunday evening, December 5.

Edwin Booth, then under Annie Clarke

340

THE SEASON OF 1886-87

Michael Davitt

the management of Lawrence Barrett, appeared for two weeks
from December 6 in his tragic re-
pertoire, his leading support being
Charles Barron.

AY. H. H. Murray on Sunday even-
ing, December 12, read his own
story/' How John Norton the Trap-
per Spent Christmas."

At the Boston Press Club Benefit
on Thursday afternoon, December
16, Henry E. Dixey was seen in an
act from" Adonis" and Joseph Proc-
tor, the Douste Sisters, Leopold
Lichtenberg, Frank Mayo and com-
pany, Rudolf King, Roy Stainton, Charles A. Gardner, Charles
Barron and Annie Clarke, the Lotus Glee Club, John A. Mac-

kay, Signor Brocolini, Edwin Arden
and company, John Barker, George
W. Howard in the farce of "Slasher
and Crasher," Dale Armstrong and
a Boxing Elephant appeared.

The Kiralfy Brothers offered "The
Black Crook" for two weeks begin-
ning December 20.

The National Opera Company, the
successor of the American Opera
Company, began a two weeks' sea-
son on January 3, 1887, their reper-
toire including 'The Huguenots,"
Faust," for the first time here in its entirety," Galatea," 'Le

341

Justin McCarthy

THE BOSTON THEATRE

V W y *& w

Bal Costume," "Orpheus and Eurydice," "Lohengrin," "The
Marriage of Figaro," "The Sylvia Ballet," " Aida," "The Fly-
ing Dutchman," "Lakme," "Martha," and "The Coppelia
Ballet." The artists were Fursch-Madi, Emma Juch, Laura
Moore, Cornelia Van Zanten, Jessie Bartlett Davis, William
Ludwig, William Candidus, Charles Bassett, Myron Whit-
ney, W. H. Fessenden,
Pauline L'Allemand,
MathildePhillips, Bertha
Pierson, John E. Brand,
William Mertens, Wil-
liam Hamilton, Alonzo
Stoddard, Joseph Claus,
Rose Ritchie, and others.
The ballet, which was
the largest ever seen here,
included Marie Giuri,
Theodora de Gillert, Fe-
licita Carozzi, Romilda
, Vio, Romeo, Mamert
Bibeyran, and a host of
other dancers of the
Italian school.
Kate Field lectured on "The Mormons" on Sunday even-
ing, January 9.

Lawrence Barrett produced 'Rienzi' on January 17 for
two weeks, the scenery having been constructed and painted
for him by the stage staff of this theatre.

The Boston Ideals next appeared on January 31, "Adina ,:
being the only novelty of their fortnight. The singers that

342

Emma Juch

THE SEASON OF 1886-87

season were Zelie de Lussan, Marie Stone, Louise Lablache,
Harriet Avery, Mena Cleary, Tom Karl, H. C. Barnabee,
W. H. MacDonald, and W. H. Clark.

A performance of Gounod's "The Redemption" was given
on Sunday, February 6, by the Boston
Oratorio Society, the soloists being
Miss Van Arnheim, Minnie Stevens,
Edith Abell, Jules Jordan, Lon Brine,
and Ivan Morawski. The instru-
mental music was furnished by the
full orchestra of the Boston Sym-
phony Society, under the leadership
of Franz Kneisel.

The Elks' Benefit on February 10
introduced Nat Goodwin and com-
pany, Marshall P. Wilder, Erne Ells-
ler, Mr. and Mrs. George S. Knight,
members of the Ideals, Harry Kernel 1,
Dion Boucicault and company, Carrie
Hale, Joseph Haworth and company,
Maggie and Lucy Daly, and others.

The National Opera Company returned for the week of
February 14.

Drum-Major James F. Clark had a benefit on Sunday,
February 20.

Margaret Mather began a week's engagement on February
21 with an unworthy performance of 'London Assurance,"
supplemented by the Mad Scene from "Faust." During the
week she was seen in " The Lady of Lyons," " Leah,"
" Romeo and Juliet," " The Honeymoon." and " Macbeth."

343

Kate Field

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Cora Tanner

This was her first appearance here after her marriage to Emil

Haberkorn, although that event
was kept secret until the next
week.

Justin McCarthy lectured on
February 27 on " Ireland in the
Coming Crisis.

Mrs. Langtry returned on
February 28 for one week, play-
ing 'Lady Clanearty" and
/ / * ffcf "Pygmalion and Galatea."

f/// Gilmore's Band played on

Sunday afternoon and even-
ing, March 6, 1887. This was
the first Sunday matinee ever
given for money in any theatre
in Boston. The receipts were $727.75 in the afternoon and
$1967.25 at night.

Cora Tanner played "Alone in Lon-
don" the week of March 7.

Among the volunteers at the Theat-
rical Mechanics' Benefit on the after-
noon of March 10 were Helene Adell
and company, James T. Powers and
company, Cora Tanner and company,
Kate Stokes and Nelson Wheatcroft
in "The Happy Pair," Robert B. Man-
tell, the Swedish Ladies' Quartette,
Billy Buckley, Sanford and Wilson,

and Others. Rev. W. H. H. Murray

344

THE SEASON OF 1886-87

Robert Downing played 'Spartacus the Gladiator" the
week of March 14.

Hubert Wilke in "The Ratcatcher" filled the week of
March 21, his comedian being Jay Hunt, who has for many
years been identified with Bos-
ton theatricals as stage-manager
of the Grand and Bowdoin
Square theatres and business
manager of the Howard.

The Specialty Paragons ap-
peared the week of March 28,
the list of performers comprising
Frank H. and Lillian White, the
Martens Trio, the Dare Bro-
thers, the St. Felix Sisters, the
Four Musical Kings, Topack
and Steele, Lolo, Sylvester and
Lola, Flora Moore, the Bedouin
Arabs and Burton's dogs.

Margaret Mather returned
on April 4 for Fast Day week.

A Popular Sacred Concert on Sunday, April 10, introduced
among others Ida Mulle, E. H. Vanderfelt, Loie Fuller,
Vernona Jarbeau, and the Clipper Quartette, Ward, Camp-
bell, Mclntire, and Hart.

John A. Stevens in " Passing Shadows" filled a slow six days
beginning April 11.

A benefit concert for the family of the late Thomas J.
Denney on April 17 introduced Signor Brocolini, Wulf Fries,
William R. Gibbs, Gertrude Franklin, Charles R. Adams,

345

Robert Downing

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Alta Pease, Leandro Campanari, Ellen A. McLaughlin, E. H.
Vanderfelt, and the Weber Quartette.

Henry Chanfrau played "The Octoroon" the week of April
18 and a part of the following week.

The Corinthian Yacht Club gave an amateur minstrel show
on the afternoon of Thursday, April 20, 1887. Among the
performers were E. P. James, C. J. Buffum, J. G. White,
Charles L. Hill, George B. Ager, Jr., L. C. Benton, S. L. Hills,
Fred Seaver, Barnet, Edgerly, Everett, Spalding, and Jackson.
The Actors' Fund had a benefit on Friday, April 22. Rose
Coghlan, Osmond Tearle, Maude Banks, Henry Chanfrau,
J. H. Barnes, Joe Hart, Charley Reed, Tony Pastor, the Ker-
nells, and others were seen.

Adelina Patti sang "Semiramide" on the evening of April

28 and "La Traviata" on the
afternoon of April 30, 1887.
These were the last times she
was ever heard in this theatre.
Charles F. Atkinson made a
special production of "H. M. S.
Pinafore" for the week of
May 2.

Mark Price's play, "On the
Rio Grande," was seen for the
week of May 9. On the evening
of Tuesday, May 10, Princess,
afterward Queen Liliuokalani of the Hawaiian Islands visited
the theatre.

Hermann the magician mystified his audiences for two
weeks commencing May 16.

346

Queen Liliuokalani

THE SEASON OF 1886-87

William O'Brien lectured on Sunday, May 29, to $2299.

For the week of May 30 a company was recruited and "The
World" was produced with un-
expected success.

"Under the Gaslight" was
the attraction for the week of
June 6.

George C. Boniface played
"The Streets of New York"
the week of June 13.

Harry Meredith in "Ranch
10" was the final card of the
season, the curtain falling on
June 25.

For many years before this
time, and up to 1895, the City

of Boston hired the theatre every Fourth of July for an oration
and the reading of the Declaration of Independence in the
forenoon, followed by three consecutive entertainments for
school-children in the afternoon. Admission was entirely free
in the morning and the tickets needed for admission in the
afternoon were given free to school-children.

The theatre was opened for one evening, that of August 8,
1887, for a reception to that noted son of Boston, the king of
pugilists, John L. Sullivan, on which occasion he was pre-
sented with a "ten thousand dollar diamond belt." The
mayor of the city, Hugh O'Brien, occupied one of the boxes
and lent tone to the event.

William O'Brien

CHAPTER XXXVI

THE SEASON OF 1887-88

Barry and Fay opened the season on August 15 with a
week of "Irish Aristocracy" and a week of " Muleahey's
Big Party."

Hon. P. A. Collins lectured on Sunday, August 28.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Minstrels played the week
of August 29.

Henry T. Chanfrau presented "Kit "the week of Septem-
ber 5.

"A Run of Luck," a Drury Lane melodrama by Henry
Pettitt and Augustus Harris, was given an expensive produc-
tion on September 12, 1887, and ran eleven weeks. A stud of
race-horses and a pack of hunting-dogs were used in the scenes
representing the Meet and the Race. The cast was :

Harry Copsley Forrest Robinson.

John Copsley W. H, Crompton.

Squire Selhy J. F, Dean.

George Selby Fred G. Ross.

Captain Arthur Trevor Frank Losee.

Charley Sandown D. J. Maguinnis.

Jim Ladybird Frank E. Lamb.

Joe Bunny W. J. Wheeler.

Lawyer Parsons C. A. Warde.

E. T. Chonn R. S. Finley.

Judge Parks C. B. Miller.

348

THE SEASON OF 1887-88

Lord Earlswood
The Colonel
Station Master
Tom Catchpole
Telegraph Operator
Auctioneer
Railway Porter
Daisy Copsley
Mabel Selby
Aunt Mary
Phebe Wood
Mrs. Willmore
Mrs. Seymour
Maude de Lacy
Parker
Mary
Lucy Byefield

Russell Hunting.
R. C. Varian.
W. A. Carl.
F. M. Jameson.
W K. Sylvester.
S. E. Fredericks.
J, W. Taylor.
Minnie Radcliffe.
Lillian Lee.
Mrs. W. G. Jones.
Rosa France.
Florence Robinson.
May Merrick.
Edith Clinton.
Karoline Beekman.
Rae Harrison,
Grace Thorne.

At the end of "The Run of
Luek," "The Exiles" was re-
vived by the same company and
filled two weeks to gratifying
receipts.

W. P. Pierce began on Sun-
day evening, October 16, a se-
ries of ten concerts which were
dignified and worthy, though
not especially remunerative.

At the Boston Press Club
Benefit on the afternoon of Oc-
tober 20 the volunteers included
James E. Murdoch, Dion Bou-

P. A. Collins

349

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Billy Barry, of Barry and Fay

cicault, Louis Aldrich, H. L. Southwick and Morris S. Kuhns,

Edmund T. Phelan, the Harvard
Quartette, and others.

Edwin Booth and Lawrence Bar-
rett made their first joint appear-
ance here on December 12 and
remained two weeks, presenting
'Julius Caesar" all of the first
week, while the second was divided
between "Othello," "Hamlet,"
"King Lear," "The Merchant of
Venice," and "Macbeth." In their
company were E. J. Buckley, John
A. Lane, Charles Collins, Ben G.
Rogers, Lawrence Hanley, L. J. Henderson, Frederic Vroom,
J. L. Finney, Charles B. Hanford, Edwin Royle, Beaumont
Smith, Kendall Weston, Owen Faw-
cett, Minna K. Gale, Miriam O'Leary,
Elizabeth Robins, and Gertrude Kel-
logg.

Denman Thompson played "The
Old Homestead " the week of Decem-
ber 26, the small part of Frank Hop-
kins being acted by Chauncey Olcott.
McNish, Johnson and Slavin's
Minstrels were seen the week of Jan-
uary 2.

The National Opera Company,
which was beginning to be on unstable financial footing, occu-
pied the following fortnight. Their chief attraction w r as Eloi

350

William Gericke

THE SEASON OF 1887-88

Sylva, a dramatic tenor of great power, whose favorite role was
that of Nero in the opera of that name, which was then seen
for the first time here. The other artists were Bertha Pierson,
Amanda Fabris, Emma Jnch, Clara Poole, Barton McGuckin,
Charles Bassett, William Ludwig, William Mertens, Alonzo
Stoddard, Frank Vetta, and George H. Broderick. The re-
pertoire included "Nero," "The
Queen of Sheba," "Faust,"
"Tannhauser," "Aida," "Lohen-
grin," and "The Flying Dutch-
man."

Henry Irving, supported by
Ellen Terry and the Lyceum The-
atre Company of London, began
on January 23 a month's engage-
ment, opening in "Faust," which
ran two weeks and one day. As
Miss Terry played only six times
a week, the Saturday evenings
were given up to performances
of "The Bells" and "Jingle,"
"Louis XI," or "The Lyons William Ludwig

Mail," in which plays Mr. Irving

was seen at his best. "Olivia" and "The Merchant of
Venice" were also given during the engagement. The re-
ceipts for the four weeks were phenomenal, amounting to
over $83,000 gross. On Mr. Irving's fiftieth birthday, which
came on Monday, February 6, 1888, "Faust" was played to
$4582, which was the largest sum that he had ever received
at one performance in his life. Although Irving was the star

351

THE BOSTON THEATRE

H. C. Barnabee

and Miss Terry but a secondary attraction, her presence in

the cast nearly, and sometimes
quite doubled the receipts. For
instance, at the matinee on Sat-
urday, January 28, "Faust,"
with Miss Terry in the cast, was
played to $4144. On the same
evening "The Bells" and "Jin-
gle" were presented without
her and drew only $2111.50.
On February 4, "Faust" drew
$4366 in the afternoon, while
'Louis XI" without her drew
$2215 in the evening. On Feb-
ruary 11 Irving and Terry in

"Olivia" played to $4000 at the matinee, while Irving alone

in "The Lyons Mail" drew only $1437.50 in the evening. On

their final Saturday he played alone at the matinee to $2756,

while the two together in "The Merchant of Venice" in the

evening drew $4244.

At the Elks" Benefit on February 2

were seen Loie Fuller, Oliver Byron,

Murray and Murphy, Lillian Russell,

Harry Pauhon, Marie Halton, Eugene

Oudin, W. II. Hamilton, John E. Brand,

Nat C. Goodwin, Carrie Hale and

others, and six caricaturists, Napoleon

Sarony, Henry B. Thomas, John Dur-

kin, Charles Graham, Daniel F.

Smith, and George R. Halm

N. C. Goodwin, Jr.

352

THE SEASON OF 1887-88

W. H. H. Murray read from his own works on Sunday,
February 12. .f

J. K. Emmett in "Fritz" appeared the
week of February 20.

The Boston Ideal Opera Company saw
great changes this season, as Barnabee, #j^
Karl, and MacDonald had withdrawn and ^k
formed a new company called the Boston-
ians, while W. H. Foster remained the
manager of the Ideals and continued a
short time longer. Both companies are
now things of the past, but they have left
deep and beneficial impressions upon the
musical interests of this country. The
Ideals opened on February 27 for two
weeks, their principals being Zelie de Lus-

san, Helen
"^-n. Dudley Campbell, Harriet Avery,

/ \ Letitia Fritsch, Avon D. Saxon,

jgf gK| Frank Baxter, George Appleby,

\Y. II. (lark. J. C. Miron, and
Fritz Williams, while their reper-
toire included 'Victor," "Fra
Diavolo," "The Daughter of the
Regiment," " The Bohemian
Girl," and "Carmen."

The Theatrical Mechanics'
Benefit on March 8 offered Ze-
lie de Lussan, Ullie Akerstrom,
Harry and John Kernell, Digby

353

Tom Karl

W. H. MacDonald

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Bell, DeWolf Hopper, Marion Manola, Harry Kennedy, E. K.
Hood, and others.

Margaret Mather opened on March 12, the day of the great
blizzard of 1888, in "Leah/' presenting for the remainder of
the week "The Honeymoon," k Romeo and Juliet," and "As
You Like It."

The Boston Symphony Orchestra made their appearance on
Sunday evening, March 18, for the benefit of the Home for

Destitute Catholic Children. The
conductor at that time was Wil-
liam Gericke.

Bolossy Kiralfy produced " Do-
lores," an adaptation of Victorien
Sardou's 'Patrie," for a fort-
night beginning March 19.

Thatcher, Primrose and West
returned on April 2 for one more
week.

Daniel Bandmann was seen
for the week of April 9 in a ver-
sion of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde." Mr. Bandmann was
much disturbed by the fact that on his opening night a manager
whom he had discharged found his way into the star's dressing-
room and stole the trick wig which is so necessary an adjunct
in the quick changes from the kindly expression of Dr. Jekyll
to the diabolical appearance of Mr. Hyde. Mr. Bandmann did
not know of his loss until the last moment and was entirely
upset until an ingenious attache suggested that he make the
change by simply putting on his wig hind side foremost when

354

D. E. Bandmann

THE SEASON OF 1887-88

in the character of Hyde. He did this and the audience never
knew the difference.

Murray and Murphy essayed " Our Irish Visitors" the week
of April 16.

Cora Tanner played " Alone in London " the week of April 23.

Denman Thompson returned on April 30 for two more
weeks of "The Old Homestead. "

The Bostonians made their first appearance on May 14 and
remained a fortnight, rendering "Fatinitza," "Mignon,"
41 The Poachers," "Fra Diavolo," and "The Bohemian Girl."
The chief singers were Juliet Corden, Marie Stone, Agnes
Huntington, H. C. Barnabee, Tom Karl, W. H. MacDonald,
George Frothingham, R.N. Dun-
bar, and Riccardo Ricci. S. L.
Studley was the musical director.

The Actors* Fund had a notable
benefit on May 24. Edwin Booth
and Lawrence Barrett played a
scene from "Othello," Agnes
Booth and Joseph Whiting were
seen in "Old Love Letters," E.
H. Sothern offered a scene from
"The Highest Bidder," the Bos-
tonians did the second act of
"Mignon," Fritz Giese and Paul
Fox played the Velio and flute,

Maude Banks, N. C. Goodwin, Jr., and Alexander Salvini
recited, and Edmund T. Phelan gave impersonations. The
receipts were $2031 and Messrs. Booth and Barrett contributed
enough to make it an even $.5000.

355

Juliet Corden

THE BOSTON THEATRE

'The World" was revived for the week of May 29.
William Ludwig, assisted by Attalie Claire, Amanda Fabris,
and W. H. Fessenden, gave a concert of Irish music on Sunday,
June 3.

Frank Charvat rented the theatre for four weeks and pre-
sented Ullie Akerstrom on June 4, for three weeks in "Annette,

the Dancing Girl," and one week
in "Renah."

On Saturday evening, March
24, 1888, Daniel Hurley, who had
been a ticket-seller here for twenty
years or more, was stricken with
a hemorrhage of the brain while
in the office and never was able
to return to work, although he
lived more than a year after his
attack. His assistant, James T.
Graham, died suddenly the following June, having been on
duty until within a few hours of his death.

On Sunday, June 24, C. H. Bridge, calling himself a spirit-
ualistic medium, gave a performance at which he challenged
Kellar the magician to discover anv trickery in his cabinet
test. Mr. Kellar went on the stage and inside of one minute
had shown the audience the mechanism of the cabinet, while
Mr. Bridge hastened from the theatre in disgust.

Hayes's "Tour through Ireland," an illustrated lecture,
closed the season on Sunday, July 1.

Ullie Akerstrom

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE SEASON OF 1888-89

uring the season of 1887-88, Eugene Tompkins, with
E. G. Gilmore of New York as a partner, purchased the
Academy of Music, New York, which they have ever since
conducted as a combination theatre. The firm of Gilmore
and Tompkins also managed the tours of Margaret Mather
for the seasons of 1888-89 and 1889-90. At the same time
Mr. Tompkins alone leased and managed the Fifth Avenue
Theatre in New York for two years from May 1, 1888.

The only changes in the business staff for the season of
1888-89 were that the ticket-agents were the Buckley brothers,
J. J and Frank M. Joseph F. Sullivan had replaced Jeremiah
B. Sullivan as property-man early in the previous season.

" Mankind, " an English melodrama by George Conquest
and Paul Meritt, was produced by a specially engaged com-
pany on August 6 and ran three weeks. The cast was as fol-
lows :

Philip Warren Forrest Robinson.

Daniel Groodge D. J. Maguinnis.

Peter Sharpley S. E. Springer.

Edmund Sharpley James Neill.

Richard Pinpool Herbert M. Colby.

George Melton J. W. Hague.

Barnaby Bright Alf Fisher.

Joshua Monkeytrick W. J. Wheeler.

James Fossett R. S. Finley.

357

THE BOSTON THEATRE

W. K. Sylvester.

George B. Bates.
T. B. Howell.
F. O. Jameson.
C. A. Miller.
Marjorie Bonner.
Gertie Boswell.
Maggie Holloway.
Rachel Noah.
Grace Huntington.

John Bloward

Thomas Barrow

Albert Ernest Fitzallan

Bill Brawley

Harry Hawkins

Alice Maitland

Jessie

Arabella Bright

Kesiah Bickerton

Constance Melton

Jane Agnes Frisby Annie H. Blancke.

The hit of the piece was made by D. J. Maguinnis, who
portrayed a hundred-year-old villain with startling strength of
characterization.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's Minstrels filled the week

of August 27.

"The Two Sisters," a play by
Denman Thompson and George
W. Ryer, was presented the week
of September 3.

'The Crystal Slipper," an ex-
travaganza presented by the Chi-
cago Opera House Company,
opened on September 10 and ran
six weeks. Eddie Foy and May
Yohe are the best remembered
names in the cast. Miss Yohe aft-
erward married a scion of English
nobility and became Lady Hope.
Maude Banks, the daughter of
Maude Banks General N. P. Banks, made her

358

THE SEASON OF 1888-89

first appearance at this house on October 22, 1888, playing
one week in " Ingomar," "Leah," 'The Lady of Lyons," and
"Love's Sacrifice."

Bolossy Kiralfy's company, in a dramatization of Jules
Verne's "Mathias Sandorf," filled the weeks of October 29
and November 5.

Alice Shaw, the whistler, appeared in concert on Sunday,
November 4.

Lew Dockstader's Minstrels made their first Boston appear-
ance the week of November 12 and met with instant recogni-
tion. The greatest hits were made by Mr.
Dockstader himself, George Marion and
R. J. Jose, the last-named introducing for
the first time his still-popular song, "With
All Her Faults I Love Her Still."

The Clara Louise Kellogg English Op-
era Company sang the week of November
19 in "Faust.'' "Carmen," "U Trovatore,"
"Martha," "The Bohemian Girl," and
" Mignon."

Concerts were given on Sunday even-
ings, November 25 and December 2, by the
New American Opera Company, under
the management of Gustav Hinrichs.

The Howard Athenaeum Star Specialty
Company was seen here for the first time
the week of November 26. The receipts were phenomenal, the
gross takings amounting to $10,188, probably the largest sum
that had ever been received in one week by any variety com-
pany in the world. The members of the company were Alfred

359

Lew Dockstader

THE BOSTON THEATRE

May Yohe

and Jackson, Tennyson and O'Gorman, the Whirlwinds of
the Desert, Will Poluski, Lawlor and Thornton, Wood and

Sheppard, Paul Cinquevalli, May
and Flo Irwin, James F. Hoey,
Ida Heath, the Cinquevalli Troupe
and theCarle-Carmanelli Troupe.
Fanny Davenport made her first
appearance here as a star on De-
cember 3, 1888, when she began a
three weeks' engagement in Sar-
dou's "La Tosca."

The Boston Press Club had a
benefit on the afternoon of De-
cember 6, when Charles A. Bige-
low was seen as Gaspard in " The
Chimes of Normandy," Joseph
Jefferson played "Lend Me Five Shillings," Julia Marlowe
and Charles Barron presented a scene from "Ingomar," and
Helen Barry, Robert Hilliard, and
others appeared.

Margaret Mather began a week
on December 24 in "The Honey-
moon," also presenting "Leah,"
"Romeo and Juliet," and "Mac-
beth."

Dockstader's Minstrels returned
for the week of December 31.

The Boston Ideals, with an ex-
ceptionally strong list of prima
donnas, sang for two weeks begin-

360

R. J. Jos

THE SEASON OF 1888-89

ning January 7, in "The Barber of Seville," "Queen Topaz,"
"Carmen," "The Daughter of the Regiment," "Faust," and
"Martha." The princi-
pals were Zelie de Lus-
san, Pauline L'Allemand,
Attalie Claire, Georgina
Januschowsky, Luigi Pa-
rotti, Frank Baxter, Cle-
ment Bainbridge, Wil-
liam Mertens, J. C.
Miron, and W. H. Clark.
Ad. Neuendorf was the
conductor. On the even-
ing of Wednesday, Janu-
ary 9, Italo Campanini
w 7 as especially engaged
to sing Don Jose to the
Carmen of Zelie de Lus-
san. This proved to be
the last engagement of
the Boston Ideal Opera
Company in this city, as
the organization was disbanded at the end of the season.

Dockstader's Minstrels and Jules Levy were heard in con-
cert on Sundays, January 6, 13, and 20, and Alice Shaw
whistled again on the 27th.

Booth and Barrett began a four weeks' run on January 21.
"Othello" was played all of their first week, "The Merchant
of Venice" all of the second, while the remaining fortnight
was taken up with "Julius Caesar," "Othello," 'The Fool's

361

Fanny Davenport

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Revenge," "David Garrick," "Yorick's Love," "Hamlet,"

"The King's Pleasure," and "Macbeth."
* 4 Mr. Barrett never appeared in the Boston
Theatre again, his final role there being
Macduff, on February 16, 1889.

Johnson and Slavin's Minstrels were heard
in concert on Sunday, February 3.

William Ludwig and his concert company
sang on Sunday evenings, December 9 and
30 and February 10, 17, and 24.

" Harbor Lights" was played for the week
of February 18 by a company under the
management of Frank Curtis, which had
been encounterinc; bad business for several
weeks and was nigh to disbanding. The re-
ceipts for this week were $10,343.50, a sum
which put the company squarely on its feet
again, while the Boston Theatre success was

heralded through New England, in whose cities the company

made sufficient profit to encourage it to try another season.

'The Stowaway," with a realistic yacht and two "re-
formed burglars," drew good houses

the week of February 25.

Gustav Hinrichs' American Opera

Company, an organization playing at

the regular prices of the theatre, was

seen for the week of March 4. Louise

Natali, Lizzie Macnichol, Charlotte

Walker, Alida Varena, Clara Poole,

William Castle, Charles Bassett, Alonzo Ad. Neuendorf

Georgina von Janu-
schowsky

362

THE SEASON OF 1888-89

Stoddard, Franz Vetta, E. N. Knight, and Frank Pieri were
heard in "Lucia di Lammermoor," "Faust," 'The Daughter

of the Regiment," "Maritana," "II Trovatore," "The Bohe-
mian Girl," and "The Masked Ball."

The Howard Athenaeum Company returned for the week of
March 11.

At the Elks' Benefit on March 14, among other attractions,
J. B. Mason and Viola Allen played the balcony scene from
"Romeo and Juliet."

The Bostonians began a fortnight on March 18, during
which time they rendered
"Pygmalion and Galatea,"
"Dorothy," "Mignom"
"Fatinitza," and "The Bo-
hemian Girl."

Madame Fursch - Madi ,
Signor Del Puente, Maud
Powell the violinist, and
others appeared in concert
on Sunday. March 24.

William McAdoo lec-
tured on " The Irish Ques-
tion" on Sunday, March
31.

E. C. Stanton's company
from the Metropolitan Op-
era House, New York, be-
gan a fortnight's season in

German opera on April 1, his principals being Lilli Lehman-
Kalisch, Louise Meisslinger, Sophie Traubmann, Max Alvary,

363

Anton Seidl

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Paul Kalisch, Emil Fischer, and William Sedlmayer. The
Niebelungen Ring was sung in its entirety for the first time
in this city and "Die Meistersinger" was also given its first
hearing. The entire repertoire was "Das Rheingold," "Die
Walkiire," "Siegfried," " Gbtterdammerung," 'Tannhau-
ser," and "Die Meistersinger." Anton Seidl conducted the
orchestra.

On Fast Day, April 3, Margaret Mather played "Leah" at

the matinee and 'Romeo and
Juliet" at night, while on the
evening of Saturday, April 13, a
wrestling-match drew a crowded
house.

Thatcher, Primrose and West's
Minstrels filled the week of
April 15.

Lewis Morrison was seen as
Mephistopheles in " Faust" the
two weeks beginning April 22.
At a concert given on Sun-
day, April 28, by the Colored
Catholics for the benefit of the Working Boys' Home, John
Boyle O'Reilly recited an original poem. Dr. Shuebruk the
cornetist, Alfred DeSeve the violinist, and others assisting.

Lydia Thompson's Burlesque Company presented "Penel-
ope" the week of May 6, her principal supporters being Louis
Kelleher, J. W. Herbert, Charles Horace Kenny, Harry Starr,
Marie Williams, Rose Newham, Lillie Alliston, Lillian Wal-
ters, Christine Blessing, and others.

A company especially brought together for this occasion

364

John Boyle O'Reilly

THE SEASON OF 1888-89

sang "Pinafore" the week of May 13, 1889, the singers being
Georgine von Januschowsky, Laura Joyce Bell, Annie Belle
Hinckley, Digby Bell, D. M. Babcock, W. H. Fessenden,
J. C. Miron, and Lon F. Brine.

The Boston Oratorio Society presented Rossini's "Stabat
Mater'' on Sunday evening, May 19, with Januschowsky, Ita
Welsh, George W. Want, and
Ivan Morawski, assisted in the
opening concert by Belle Dubois.

Frank Mayo played "Davy
Crockett" the week of May 20.
A member of his company was
Lincoln Wagenhals, now of the

May Irwin

successful managerial firm
Wagenhals and Kemper.

"The World" was revived for
the week of May 27.

Dockstader's Minstrels began
their third separate week of the
season on June 3.

Gustav Hinrichs' American Opera Company attempted a
summer run at popular prices beginning on June 10, but the
public did not respond, though the performances were worthy,
and the theatre closed on Tuesday, June 2.5, after a run of two
weeks and one day to small houses.

William Ludwig gave another concert of Irish music on
Sunday, June 16.

The usual City of Boston celebration of the Fourth of
July closed the season.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

THE SEASON OF 1889-90

The season of 1889-90 began on Saturday evening, August
31, with Atkinson and Dexter's Company of Juveniles
in "H. M. S. Pinafore," which ran through the following week.

"Harbor Lights" was the attraction for the week of Sep-
tember 9.

Dockstader's Minstrels appeared for the week of Septem-
ber 16, that being their fourth engagement in this theatre
within twelve months.

George Francis Train lectured on "Red Hot Current
Events" on Sunday evening, September 22.

'The Exiles" was produced on September 23, by a com-
pany engaged by Mr. Tompkins for touring the piece through
the country, and ran three weeks to excellent business.

William Ludwig was heard in concert on Sunday, Septem-
ber 29.

A "National Pageant" of tableaux was seen on the after-
noon of October 1 1 .

Wilson Barrett, supported by a talented company of Eng-
lish actors, played a three weeks' engagement beginning
October 14, the first week given up to "Ben My Chree," a
dramatization of Hall Caine's 'The Deemster." His com-
pany included Miss Eastlake, George Barrett, Cooper Cliffe,
Austin Melford, Murray Carson, James Welch, W. A. Elliott.
Lillie Belmore, and others. He also presented "Claudian,"
"Hamlet," "Clito," "Lord Harry," "The Silver King," and

366

THE SEASON OF 1889-90

his triple bill, " Chatterton," "The Colour Sergeant," and

"A Clerical Error." A testimonial

was tendered to Wilson Barrett on

the last night of his engagement,

Saturday, November 2, 1889, when

he played "Ben My Chree" to

$2571.75, the largest receipts he had

ever drawn in one performance in

his entire career.

The Howard Athenaeum Star Spe-
cialty Company appeared during the
week of November 4, the artists be-
ing Florene, Conroy and Fox, the
Irwin Sisters, George Thatcher, Wil-
ton and Mora, Lottie Collins, Wood

and Sheppard, Ida Heath, Abachi and Mazuz, Dutch Daly,
and Marvelle's Birds and Dogs.

On Sunday evening, Novem-
ber 10, Bill Nye and James Whit-
comb Riley appeared in readings
from their own works. It was on
this occasion that a man in the
balcony called, "Louder," while
Nye was reading. " Why don't you
pay more and come down where
vou can hear?" asked the hu-
morist. 'Because it isn't worth
it," replied the man, to the ap-
plause of the sympathizing audi-
Bili Nye ence.

367

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The Bostonians played a two weeks' season, beginning
November 11, their first week being divided between "Pyg-
malion and Galatea," " Suzette," " Mignon," " The Poachers,"
'Fatinitza," and "The Bohemian Girl," while for the whole
of the second week they sang "Don Quixote" by Harry B.
Smith and Reginald de Koven, Barnabee being seen as Don
Quixote and Frothingham as Sancho Panza.

The Balmoral Choir from Glasgow sang on Sunday, No-
vember 17.

Primrose and West's Minstrels followed for the week of
November 25.

A great fire broke out on the morning of Thanksgiving Day
and burned several buildings in the region of Kingston and
Essex Streets, which necessitated the shutting-off of the gas-
mains in the vicinity of the theatre. Fortunately the building
was being fitted for electric lighting and the wiring was so far
advanced that the footlights could be used. With the help of
calcium lights and locomotive headlights the stage was made
sufficiently brilliant and the performances went on without
interruption, although at the matinee the streets in the vicinity
were so roped-in that intending playgoers had to make a long
detour and enter the building by the Mason Street door.

The Emma Juch Opera Company played the fortnight
beginning December 2 to light business, the company includ-
ing Emma Juch, Laura Bellini, Susie Leonhardt, Lizzie
Macnichol, Charles Hedmondt, iVlonzo Stoddard, Franz Vetta,
Elvin Singer, Charles Turner, Frank Pieri, T. S. Guise, E. N.
Knight, and Fanny Gonzales. Giuseppe Campanari made his
first appearance on the operatic stage with this company on
December 11, 1889, as Valentine in "Faust." Previous to this

368

THE SEASON OF 1889-90

he had been for some years an instrumentalist in the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. "The
Postilion of Lonjumeau"
was the only novelty pre-
sented. Alonzo Stoddard was
taken ill during this engage-
ment and died in the hospital
a few days later.

The Boston Press Club
Benefit on December 5 en-
listed the services of Annie
Pixley and company, William
H. Crane and company,
Francis Wilson and Marie
Jansen, Emma Juch, Evans
and Hoey and company, Giu-
seppe Campanari, and Oliver
Doud Byron and company.

A concert was given on Sunday, December 8, for the suffer-
ers by the Thanksgiving fire.

Hoyt's "A Midnight Bell" fol-
lowed on December 16 for three
weeks, Maude Adams making her
first Boston appearance as Dot
Bradbury. During this engage-
rs inent the first epidemic of la
grippe held Boston in its clutches,
so many people being ill with it
in the city that business was ser-
iously affected in the stores and

369

Maude Adams

Giuseppe Campanari

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Eugene Canfield

theatres. Some of the members of the "Midnight Bell" com-
pany were victims of the disease, but
no performances were omitted. George
Richards and Eugene Canfield were first
seen here together in the "Midnight
Bell."

Daniel Dougherty lectured on Sunday
evening, December 29.

The English melodrama, "My Jack,"
was presented for two weeks beginning
January 6, 1890. This time had been
held for Lawrence Barrett, but illness
had compelled him to discontinue his
tour.

Edwin Booth and Helena Modjeska
appeared as joint stars for the fortnight
commencing January 20, their lead-
ing man being: Otis Skinner. Their
plays were "The Merchant of Ven-
ice," "Much Ado About Nothing,"
"Richelieu," "The Fool's Revenge,"
"Donna Diana," "Macbeth," and
"Hamlet." This proved to be Mr.
Booth's last engagement in the Bos-
ton Theatre, Richelieu being his last
part, on Saturday evening, February
1, 1890.

A Norsk Festdag, or Norwegian
Holiday, an entertainment of stere-
opticon views, tableaux, and songs,

370

George Richards

THE SEASON OF 1889-90

was given on the afternoon of January 30. Max O'Rell (Paul
Blouet), the witty Frenchman, lectured on Sunday evening,
January 26, and again on Sunday, April 6.

Herrmann's Trans- Atlantique Vaudeville Combination ap-
peared for the week of February 3, and again for the week of
the 17th, "The Stowaway" filling the intervening time. Herr-
mann's artists were Harry Pepper and Carrie Tutein, the Four
Gaiety Danseuses, Herr Tholen and his Singing Poodle,
Charles F. Ross and
Mabel Fenton, Le Petit
Freddy, Trewey, Eu-
nice Vance, the Pinauds,
Gus Williams, Katie
Seymour, the Tacchi
Brothers, and the
Athols. John Boyle
O'Reilly lectured on
Sunday, February 16.

"Kajanka," a much-
heralded spectacle of
slight merit, had large
receipts the week of
February 24 and small
pickings the following
week.

Charles H. Hoyt's farce comedy, 'The Brass Monkey,"
followed for the weeks of March 10 and 17, with the author's
wife. Flora Walsh, as Baggage, and Tim Murphy, Otis Harlan,
and J. C. Miron as the Razzle Dazzle Trio.

Wilson Barrett followed for the week of March 24, present-

.'571

Max O'Rell (Paul Blouet)

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The Razzle Dazzle Trio

Otis Harlan, Tim Murphy, and J. C. Miron

ing 'Ben My Chree," 'The Silver King," and the triple
bill.

The Elks' Benefit on March 27 was a notable affair. George
Thatcher appeared, accomplishing the unprecedented feat of
playing in Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday even-
ings, traveling to Boston and appearing on the stage here and
returning to Philadelphia in the meantime. The other volun-
teers were Reeves's Band, Maurice Barrymore, Ad Ryman,

372

THE SEASON OF 1889-90

Gus Williams

Amelia Glover, Charlie Reed, Maude Banks, Edwin French,

Robert Hilliard and company,

Clara Daymer, Marie Barratta

Morgan, Jacob Benzing, the Bos-
ton Museum Company, Olive

Homans, Edmund T. Phelan,

Julia Marlowe and company, the

Razzle Dazzle Trio, Alexander

Salvini and company, Florence

St. John, E. J. Lonnen, Charles

Danby, Wilson Barrett and com-
pany, Luke Schoolcraft and Barry

Maxwell, Raffin, Gus Reynolds

and company, Frank Clayton and

a Grand Mil-
itary Prize Drill. 'The Exiles" followed
on March 31 for Fast Day week.

The Metropolitan Opera House Com-
pany sang in German operas the fortnight
beginning April 7, Walter Damrosch be-
ing the conductor. Lilli Lehmann-Kalisch,
Sophie Traubmann, Charlotte Huhn, Fe-
licia Kaschoska, Sophie Wiesner, Conrad
Behrens, Paul Kalisch, Emil Fischer, The-
odor Reichmann, Jules Perotti, Nicolai
Gorski, and Joseph Beck sang in "Tann-
hauser,"" William Tell," "Norma," "Lo-
hengrin," 'Die Meistersinger," "The
Huguenots," 'The Flying Dutchman,"
George Francis Train "Fidelio," and "Don Giovanni."

373

THE BOSTON THEATRE

On the afternoon of March 11 and the evening of March 12,
1890, the First Corps of Cadets were seen in their burlesque,
'Injured Innocents," the chief actors being R. D. Sears, H,
K. Swinscoe, S. H. Hooper, James G. White, Walter Jackson,
H. A. Edgerly, L. C. Benton, G. W. Langdon, R. A. Barnet,
T. E. Stutson, W. E. Spaulding, and P. S. Sears.

Father Theobald Mathew lectured on Sunday, April 20.
Richard Mansfield opened on April 21 in "Richard III'
and remained two weeks, presenting also "A Parisian Ro-
mance," 'The Frenchman," and "Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.' Much to the
star's disgust, "Richard III" drew only
$369 on its opening, while the first night
of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" brought
in $1684.

The Colored Catholics gave a concert
on Sunday, April 27.

'The Silver Falls," a melodrama by
George R. Sims and Henry Pettitt, was
produced by Mr. Tompkins on May 5 and ran three weeks,
with a company which included William Redmund, Frank
Losee, Charles Coote, Daniel Gilfeather, J. R. Furlong, Charles
Leonard Fletcher, Raymond Finley, Daniel Jarrett, Sidney
Armstrong, Alice Fischer, Marion Elmore, and others.

" Mankind" was offered for the week of May 26, with E. D.
Lyons in the part formerly played by D. J. Maguinnis.

Kate Claxton presented "The Green Bushes" the week of
June 2.

The Oriental Opera Company of New York gave perform-
ances in Yiddish on Tuesda\\ June 17, and Friday, June 20,

Richard Mansfield

374

THE SEASON OF 1889-90

"King Saul/' a historical opera, being performed on Tues-
day, and "Esther von Eingede," a five-act tragedy, with Jacob
Adler in the leading part, on Friday.

Pantomimic tableaux of scenes from the *' Saga-Nat,"
mythological, poetical, and historical, were performed on
Thursday evening, June 26, and the season closed with the
customary City of Boston celebration on the Fourth of July.

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE SEASON OF 1890-91

The season was opened by Harry Kernell and Sheffer and
Blakely's New York Specialty Company for the week of
August 11, that being the occasion of the annual convention
of the Grand Army of the Republic. The company consisted
of Major Burk, the Chester Sisters, the Garnella Brothers,
Sheffer and Blakely, George Murphy, Lizzie Derious Daly,
the Dares, Bernard Dyllyn, the Acme Four, Harry Kernell,
and Augusta Sohlke's Hungarian Ballet Troupe.

George Thatcher's Minstrels occupied the week of August
18, the principals being George Thatcher, John Wild, Tom
Lewis, Tom LeMack, R. J. Jose, Raymon Moore, H. W.
Frillman, George Lewis, Frank La Mondue, Rodo Leo Rapoli,
Wood and Sheppard, and the Mazuz-Abacco Arabs.

"Good Old Times," an English melodrama, under the
management of Colonel W. E. Sinn, was seen for three weeks
beginning August 2.5.

The event of the season was the production of "The Sou-
dan," a drama by Henry Pettitt and Augustus Harris, which
had been played at the Drury Lane Theatre under the name
of "Human Nature." The cast was:

Captain Temple Henry Neville.

Matthew Hawker S. E. Springer.

Paul De Vigne Frank Losee.

Stephen Mardyke Nestor Lennon.

376

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THE BOSTON THEATRE

Rev. Arthur Lulworth

Horatio Spofkins

Joe Lambkins

John Stone

Col. Brandon

Pat O'Connor

Henry Ormonde

Father Bonini

Jem Buxton

Arab Sheik

First European

Second European

Third European

Fourth European

Nellie Temple

Cora Grey

Maggie YYilkins

Mrs. Lambkins

Mrs. Lulworth

Mrs. Buxton

Lucy

Frank

Dick

Lawrence Eddinger.

Dan Collyer.

Harry Hawk.

Harry Rose.

Ed Lawrence.

A. W. Rumble.

John J. Geary.

Russell Hunting.

H. A. Wallace.

Robert Mackay.

J. E. Gilbert.

Francis George.

Sylvie Warren.

John Lyons.

Louise Balfe.

Eleanor Moretti.

Kate Oesterle.

Mrs. W. G. Jones.

Jeannie Harrold.

Kate Murray.

Belle Rose.

Master Walter Lewis.

Master Wallie Eddinger.

This proved to be the most successful play of this kind ever
seen in Boston. It was originally intended to run ten weeks,
but its drawing powers proved so strong that other attractions
were moved aside to permit a continuance of its run. The
Howard Athenaeum Company was to have played here at
Thanksgiving time, but they were persuaded to go to Pro-
vidence for that week, Mr. Tompkins guaranteeing that the
receipts there should reach $5000 gross. As they took in only
a little over $1900 for the entire week, the cost to him was

378

THE SEASON OF 1890-91

Henry Neville

considerable, but "The Soudan" more than made up for the

difference. Booth and Barrett were

booked at the Boston Theatre for

the weeks of December 1 and 8,

but a check for $1500 persuaded

them to go to the Park Theatre in-
stead, and "The Soudan" ran mer-
rily on. "The Soudan" was first

presented on Tuesday, September

16, 1890, and it ran until January

10, 1891, seventeen weeks in all. It

was revived that same season on

April 20 and ran four weeks more,

thus making twenty-one weeks in a

single season, a record never equaled in this theatre. Henry

Neville returned to England at the end of that season and is

still prominently before the public over there.

Harry Hawk was alone upon
^0^j^^ the stage in Ford's Theatre in

(.. Washington when President Lin-

coln was assassinated, and recosr-
nized Wilkes Booth as he jumped
from the private box and ran past
him to the wings.

Louise Balfe afterward became
the wife of Abraham Erlanger,
a prominent member of the the-
atrical syndicate which has so
long controlled dramatic affairs
in this country.

379

Harry Hawk

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Harry Rose and Belle Rose were man and wife. Some years

since he murdered her in a fit of jeal-
ous rage and is now serving a life sent-
ence in a New York prison.

Walter Lewis and Wallace Eddin-
ger have proved true the promise of
their youth and are both actors of
recognized standing.

Mrs. W. G. Jones, Kate Oesterle,
and S. E. Springer have since passed
away, but most of the others are still
on the stage.

The scenic possibilities of the play
were great and were taken advantage
of to the fullest extent. The varying
stage-pictures included views in rural
England, in the heart of London, and
in the

Louise Balfe in
Soudan "

The

depths of Africa. The parade
of the returning troops in
Trafalgar Square employed
a greater number of aux-
iliaries than has ever been
shown at any other time on
any stage in Boston. Many
horses were ridden by the
officers in the military page-
ant. The uniforms worn by
the English soldiers in the
African scenes were pur-

Frank Losee

380

THE SEASON OF 1890-91

chased from the British Government and
were those which had actually been worn
by Her Majesty's troops in the Soudan cam-
paign. They included the first khaki cloth-
ing ever seen in this country. The uniforms
of the London policemen, the bootblacks,
the military bands and drum corps, as well
as the dresses worn by the Soudanese wo-
men and the Arab warriors, were absolutely
correct in material and design. Crowded
houses prevailed and at the end of its first
run the production was taken to Philadel-
phia and Chi-
cago. The fol-
lowing summer
it had another
run in Chicago,

Wallie Eddinger in
" The Soudan "

yfcusijSP""

Mrs. W. G. Jones in " The Soudan

and in September it was
presented at the Academy
of Music, New York, with
Louis James in the leading
role. The firm of Jefferson,
Klaw and Erlanger leased
"The Soudan" from Mr.
Tompkins and presented it
all over the country for two
seasons longer.

The Boston Philharmo-
nic Orchestra, an organiza-
tion of talented musicians

381

THE BOSTON THEATRE

under the leadership of Bernhard Listeman, appeared every
Sunday evening for eighteen weeks, beginning October 5, but
did not meet with the recognition that their playing deserved.
At their concert on Sunday, January 26, 1891, George Rid-
dle read "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and Mendelssohn's
music was rendered by the orchestra and a ladies' chorus.

The Irish patriots, Dillon and O'Brien, had a reception on
the afternoon of Sunday, November 9, 1890, when, at prices
ranging from fifty cents to one dollar, the receipts were $3000,

which is probably a record for
any theatre at those prices.

k The Crystal Slipper" was
presented for the weeks of Jan-
uary 12 and 19, 1891.

The Hanlon-Volter Martinetti
Company filled the weeks of
January 26 and February 2, its
members consisting of the Han-
Ion- Volters, trapeze artists, Paul
Martinetti and his Pantomime
Company, Walter Emerson, the
Montaigne Troupe, the Hulines, Dora Emerson, Rodo Leo
Rapoli, Stebb and Trepp, and the Wartenburg Family.

Charles H. Hoyt's "A Trip to Chinatown" followed for
two weeks, opening February 9. Although the business of
this play was excellent, it was by no means phenomenal, and
everybody was surprised when it went into the Madison Square
Theatre in New York and made one of the longest and most
profitable runs ever known in the metropolis. The first play
of Mr. Hoyt's to be produced under his own management was

382

John Dillon

THE SEASON OF 1890-91

Charles H. Hoyt

"'A Rag Baby," which had its initial representation in the
spring of 1884 by the firm of Tompkins, Hoyt and Thomas,
the members being Eugene Tompkins, Charles H. Hoyt, and
Charles H. Thomas. Mr. Tompkins sold his interest in the
firm at the end of the season of 1885-86 and the name was
changed to Hoyt and Thomas. Mr. Thomas died in 1894 and
Frank McKee took his place, the firm name changing to Hoyt
and McKee. Mr. Hoyt died in 1901.

The Howard Athenaeum Company occupied the week of
February 23, the performers being Fitz and Webster, Brothers
Poluski, Marian Hayman, Conroy and Fox, the Five Boissett

383

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Brothers, Kate Davis, the Braatz Brothers, Minnie Cunning-
ham, Cinquevalli, Dutch Daly, and the Salambos.

'The Hustler," with John Kernell and Mollie Thompson
featured, filled the week of March 2. Mollie Thompson was

the daughter of Johnny Thompson,
who had played 'On Hand'" here
years before.

'Yon Yonson," with Gus Heege
in an artistic portrayal of the Swedish
hero, played the week of March 9.

Primrose and West's Minstrels,
with Lew Dockstader as an added
attraction, were seen the week of
March 16.

At the Actors' Fund Benefit on
March 19, 1891, a boy and a man
appeared who have both won fame
and money as dramatic authors. The
boy was Georgie Cohan, who played with his parents and
sister in "A Good Thing, or Four of a Kind." The man was
Augustus Thomas, who played with Agnes Booth and May
Buckley in his own one-act play, "Afterthoughts."

Charles H. Hoyt's "A Brass Monkey," with Alice Evans
(now Mrs. Wilton Lackaye) as Baggage, filled the week of
March 23.

George Bidwell, the Reformed Forger, lectured on "Forg-
ing His Own Chains" to a light house on Sunday, March 29.
George Thatcher's Minstrels came for Fast Day week,
opening on March 30.

William Ludwig and his concert company, with R. J. Jose

384

Augustus Thomas

THE SEASON OF 1890-91

and Raymon Moore as added attractions, were heard on
Sunday, April 5. A remarkable incident occurred at the close
of the performance. Mr. Jose had answered encore after en-
core until he was tired out and could sing no more. When he
finally left the stage, the audience rose en masse and left the
theatre, regardless of the fact that there was still another num-
ber on the programme, a quartette from " Rigoletto," to be
sung by Mr. Ludwig's concert quartette. The audience wanted
Jose and when Jose had finished thev were going; home, and
they went. Hoyt's "A Midnight Bell" followed for a fortnight,
beginning April 6, with Percy Haswell in the part formerly
played by Maude Adams.

At the Elks' Benefit on April 9 among other attractions the
Elks' Minstrels appeared, the interloc-
utors being J. P. Johnson, George H.
Coes, and Andy Leavitt. Frank Han-
son, Bob Allen, J. G. B. McElroy, H. E.
Hayward, and W. R. Irving handled
the bones, and Charles Reed, Oscar
Shaffer, Dudley H. Prescott, George
W. Fuller, and Bennett Benari the
tambourines.

Jules Levy's American Band played
on Sundays, April 12 and 19.

"The Soudan" returned on April 20
for a four weeks' run.

Rev. James A. Donovan, S. J., lec-
tured on Sunday, April 26, on "Garcia
Moreno, the Martyred President of

Ecuador." Jules Levy

383

THE BOSTON THEATRE

On Saturday evening, May 16, at the last performance of
"The Soudan" and its 169th in Boston that season, a silver
loving-cup was presented to Henry Neville, leading man of
the company, together with an address and an autograph
album signed by the Governor, the Mayor, and many pro-
minent citizens.

Leonard Grover's play, "The Wolves of New York," was
presented on May 18 and ran two weeks.

The United Hebrew Opera Company of New York, man-
aged by Mogulesko and Karp, offered 'Judith and Holo-
fernes," on June 17, and "Somnambulist" on June 19.

The City of Boston exercises on July 4 closed the season, the
oration being delivered by Josiah Quincy.

'ft* "*

Charlie Reed and Willie Collier

Den man Thompson

CHAPTER XL

THE SEASON OF 1891-92

The season opened on Saturday, August 8, with C. H.
Smith's company in "Evangeline," which continued for
the next two weeks.

George Thatcher's Minstrels in "Tuxedo" followed for the
week of August 24. It was during this engagement that the
song "Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay' was first heard in this city.
In a few months it was sung all over the world. The words
of the song were by Henry J. Sayers, the manager of Thatch-

387

THE BOSTON THEATRE

er's Minstrels. The music he found among the colored people
of the South, but changed it considerably before it attained
its popular form.

W. A. Brady's company in "After Dark," with the rising

young pugilist James J. Corbett
jk ^^ as a specialty feature, filled the

Ik week of Augusl 30.

{ %WBmK "The Old Homestead" began

on September 7, 1891, a twelve
weeks' run which was in some re-
spects the most notable one ever
played in this theatre. For the
two performances on the opening
day,- -Labor Day, --the receipts
were $2563 and $2616 respect-
ively. The takings of the first
week were $17,013.25 and for the
twelfth week $18,467. For the
entire twelve weeks the gross receipts were $145,939.75, an
average of over $12,000 per week and of $1489.18 for each of
the ninety-eight performances. On only ten occasions during
the entire run did the receipts fall below one thousand dollars
for a performance. A unique feature of this engagement and
one unparalleled in the history of Boston theatricals was that
on the final week, that of November 23, 1891, there was not
a sinole deadhead in the theatre for the entire week. Any
individual who was entitled to the courtesies of the house was
allowed to pass the doorkeeper the same as usual, but a ticket
for him was paid for by either Denman Thompson or Eugene
Tompkins. No exceptions were made to this rule and the box

388

James J. Corbett in 1891

THE SEASON OF 1891-92

Remenyi

office returns showed a clean sheet. No theatre in the world
had ever before played to so much money in one week at the
prices, which ranged from twenty-five cents to one dollar and
a half.

Edouard Remenyi, the violin-
ist, was heard in concert on Sun-
day, November 22.

The Minnie Hauk Opera Com-
pany followed on November 30
for two weeks, the principals be-
ing Minnie Hauk, Mine. Basta-
Tavary, Greta Risley, Bernice
Holmes, Mile. Tremelli, Helen
Dudley Campbell, Montariol,
Bovet, Del Puente, Leo Stor-
mont, Ricci, Delasco, Minello,

and Mascotti. The operas were "Carmen," "Faust," "Caval-
leria Rusticana," 'The Flying Dutchman," 'Don Giovanni,"
"Lohengrin," 'Martha," and the first act of "La Traviata."
A concert was given by the opera company on Sunday, De-
cember 13. An amusing incident occurred during this engage-
ment. One evening Basta-Tavary was to sing the part of
Senta in "The Flying Dutchman." On seating herself at the
spinning-wheel she discovered that the portrait of Vander-
decken, which was an indispensable adjunct of the scene, was
not in its place. She called the attention of the stage-manager
of the company to the omission and was informed that the
picture had been left behind in Philadelphia and that she
must get along without it. This she refused to do, as in the
business of her part she was to fix her attention upon the

389

THE BOSTON THEATRE

portrait and to sing to it. The stage-manager begged her to
try to do without it, but she was obdurate. Mr. McCarty,
the stage-manager of the theatre, noticed the long delay and
inquired the cause. He was informed that the curtain could
not go up until there was a portrait of Vanderdecken in sight.
"Then we shall make a portrait of Vanderdecken," said he.
Accompanied by Richard Gannon, one of the scenic artists,
he rushed up on the paint frame and began to explore. There
in a far corner stood the inn sign which is used in the fourth
act of "Rip Van Winkle," representing George Washington
arrayed in a green coat. In a trice Mr. Gannon had painted
a heavy black beard on the Father of his Country and changed
the hue of his coat to a sombre sable, and in three minutes
the transformed Washington was on the stage, pretending to
be a likeness of the Flying Dutchman.

At the Elks' Benefit on December 3, among other attrac-

W. IT. Kendal

Mrs. W. H. Kendal

390

THE SEASON OF 1891-92

tions, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kendal played 'The Happy
Pair," Charles Barron, Eben Plympton, Edgar Davenport,
Morton Paine, and Annie Clarke
gave the screen scene from the
"School for Scandal," Neil Bur-
gess played an act from "The
County Fair," Billy Barry an act
from "McKenna's Flirtation,"
Maurice Barrymore, H. M. Pitt,
C. F. Bates, and Blanche Ring
were seen in " A Man of the World,"
Hallen and Hart, Burr Mcintosh,
the Roumania Quintette, Herbert
Johnson, Melville and Stetson,
William Jerome, John A. Cole-
man, Little Tuesday, the Schrode
Brothers, Edmund T. Phelan,
Ena Bertoldi, the Braatz Brothers

and Kara appeared, and the Loyal Song was sung by George
J. Parker, George W. Want, T. H. Norris, C. J. Buffum, J.
C. Bartlett, S. King, D. M. Babcock, A. B. Hitchcock, George
Tyler, J. K. Berry, J. L. White. A. C. Ryder and F. C. Fair-
banks, with Howard M. Dow as accompanist.

"A Fair Rebel," with Edward R. Mawson and Fanny
Gillette featured, played a light week, commencing December
14.

Warren's Ladies' Military Band gave a concert on Sunday,
December 20.

The Limited Mail," a sensational melodrama with a cast
which included Joe Coyne, Lew Bloom, Harry Blanev, and

Neil Burgess

391

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Grace Sherwood, drew good houses the week of December 21.

The attendance in the gallery on Christmas broke all records,

there being 1297 tickets sold in the afternoon and 1249 in the

evening:.

Carmencita, the Spanish dancer, assisted by the Spanish

Students, John LeClair, Dagmar and DeCelle, Herbert Al-

bini, the Barra Troupe, and the War-
shau Brothers, appeared for the week
^ 5 of December 8.

^m*% \ " Shiloh," a drama of the Rebellion,

was produced on January 11 by a
company especially engaged by Mr.
Tompkins and ran four weeks to un-
satisfactory business. The great scene
of the play was the departure of the
troops from Faneuil Hall Square.

A benefit given to Foster Farrar on
Sunday, February 7, introduced John
Mason, Marion Manola, Luke School-
craft, Willis P. Sweatnam, Julius Wit-
mark, David Warfield, Bessie Cleave-

land, Dan Daly, Burt Haverly, Charlie Reed, the County Fair

Quartette, and others.

'Uncle Celestin, ,, a comic opera from the New York Casino,

with Jefferson De Angelis and Annie Myers as principals, was

heard for the week of February 3. At this time Loie Fuller

first introduced the Serpentine Dance, which was soon to

make her famous.

'The Trumpet Call," an English melodrama of military

life, was produced by Mr. Tompkins's company on February

392

Carmencita

THE SEASON OF 1891-92

15 and ran three weeks, but met with no more favor than did
"Shiloh."

The Seventh Annual Entertainment of the Boston Press
Club, on Thursday, February 18, 1892, had a long list of
volunteers, including Neil Burgess, Mary Hampton, Charlie
Reed, Willie Collier. Louise Allen, James B. Gentry (who was
afterward sent to prison for life for killing a girl in Philadel-
phia), Louis Harrison, Katie Emmett, Amy Ames, G. W.
Thompson, Lillian Russell, Julia Marlowe, Charles B. Han-
ford, Dora Wiley, Nellie McHenry, Frank Daniels, Estrella
Svlvia, and Frank Bush.

On Sunday, February 28, Edmund Hudson lectured on
"The German Emperor and the German Army."

William Ha worth's naval drama, "The Ensign," played
a good week, opening on March 7.

Loie Fuller
393

THE BOSTON THEATRE

At Dudley Prescott's benefit on Sunday, March 13, Richard
Carle and Mrs. Ella Clifford Carle appeared in a sketch.
"Evangeline" returned on March 14 for a fortnight. As

a special inducement to matinee
patrons, each lady or child at-
tending was given a quarter-
pound box of Huyler's candy.
When the engagement was over
there was enough candy in boxes
left in the theatre to give every
attache permanent indigestion.
'The Country Circus," an
expensive production under the
management of C. B. Jefferson,
Klaw and Erlanger, began a five
weeks' season on March 28. The
prominent features of this play
were the circus parade and the
performance in the ring, which
introduced some of the best
riders and gymnasts known to
the profession. The houses for
the first two weeks were extremely large, but after that the
public lost interest.

Alexander Salvini opened on May 2 and continued five
weeks, playing "The Three Guardsmen," "Monte Cristo,"
"Cavalleria Rusticana," and "Robert Macaire." William
Redmund, Judith Berolde, and Maud Dixon were his prin-
cipal support.

Gilmore'sBandwasheardon Sunday evenings, May 8 and 22.

394

Alexander Salvini

THE SEASON OF 1891-92

Tableaux of the Life of Christ were presented on Sundays,
May 15 and June 12. They were very impressive and digni-
fied, but the donkey used in the Entry into Jerusalem would
move his ears.

A fine concert for the John Boyle O'Reilly Fund drew an
overflowing audience on Sunday, May 29.

The Colored Catholics gave a concert on Sunday, June 5.

The Thalia Theatre Company, a Yiddish organization from
New York, presented "Ezra, or the Wandering Jew' on
Friday, June 17, and "The Princess of Jehuda" on Satur-
dav, June 18.

Joseph Ott had a benefit on Sunday, June 19.

Tableaux of Tennyson's 'Maud" were given in aid of
the Fresh Air Fund on Thursday, June 30.

The City of Boston exercises closed the season on July 4,
as usual.

Fred Hallen and Joseph Hart

Joseph Jefferson

CHAPTER XLI

THE SEASON OF 1892-93

The season opened extremely early, the first attraction
being Cleveland's Minstrels for the week of August 1.
They were followed by one week each of Richard Golden in
"Old Jed Prouty," John P. Smith's "Uncle Tom's Cabin,"
Dockstader's Minstrels, and Augustus Pitou's Company in
"Across the Potomac."

Denman Thompson in "The Old Homestead" opened on

396

THE SEASON OF 1892-93

Labor Day, September 5, and continued eight weeks to large
receipts.

On Columbus Day, October 21, 1892, the theatre was rented
for the forenoon by the City of Boston and an oration was
delivered by John Fiske, the his-
torian, probably the best equipped
man in the country for such a
service.

Joseph Jefferson presented
"Rip Van Winkle" for the week
of October 31, 1892, for the first
time in this house since 1880, and
played to $23,209.50 on the week,
two dollars being the price for the
best seats. Alice Fischer was the
Gretchen on this occasion.

In September Mr. Tompkins gave "The Black Crook" an
unprecedentedly lavish production at the Academy of Music,
New York, intending to bring it to Boston after its run there,
but it proved so powerful a magnet in New York that he
would not risk its withdrawal. Having in consequence a block
of open time here, he made another elaborate production,
using as a vehicle the extravaganza, "The Babes in the Wood,"
with the book by Lawrence McCarty and the music gathered
from many sources. The cast was as follows :

John Fiske

Jack

Jane

Sir Rowland Dedbroke

Percy, a Bad Man

Harry, another Bad Man

Arthur Dunn.
Mamie Gilroy.
Charles Wayne.
Belle Black.
Tim Cronin.

397

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Lord Deahboy
Lord Oldchap
Jack Scull
Ben Crossbones

Guards

Lady Ded broke

Josephine

Bella

Angelina, the Schoolmarm

Fairy Queen

Spirit of the Age

Quicksilver

Mr. Kinney, a Butcher

Mr. Schultz, a Tailor

Mr. Gross, a Grocer

Mr. Boulanger, a Baker

Mr. Boehm, a Wine Merchant

Mr. Knocks, a Hatter

Mr. Smythe, a Bootmaker

Mr. Abrams, a Money Lender

Clown

Pantaloon

Sprite

Harlequin

Columbine

Nannie W. Morse.
Grace Taber.
May Hoi brook.
Mamie Conway.
M. J. Thomas.
A. L. Donaldson.
Fannie Daboll.
Ada Walker.
Pauline Fritchie.
Gilbert Sarony.
May Montford.
Ida Moreland.
Mabel Montgomery.
Ed Read way.
G. D. Daly.
J. F. Reynolds.
P. Pharaoh.

F. L. Turner.
Geo. Melville.
J. Calnan.

T. M. Reilly.
George Melville.
Auguste Siegrist.
Prince Pharaoh.

G. Debolien.
Mile. Scutellari.

Nini Patte en l'Air and her pupils, Diamantine, Gardenia,
Perle Fine, and Fleurette, came especially from Paris and
danced the true Quartier Latin Can-Can. The Deboliens and
Gillette performed astonishing feats of acrobatics. A. Bert-
rand, ballet-master from the London Alhambra, was engaged
to produce the ballets, in which the chief dancers were Sal-

398

THE SEASON OF 1892-93

m o i r a g h i , Stramezzi ,
Prioris, the Bartoletti
Sisters, Bassignani and
Scutellari, with Bianci-
fiori as male dancer. A
" Ballet of Popular Airs
introduced the music
of "Mary Green," "Hi
Tiddlety Hi Ti," "Oh,
What a Difference in
the Morning," "Ta-
r a - r a - b o o m - d e - a y , '
"Maggie Murphy's
Home," and "The Bow-
ery." A handsome and

***.

V"**

Salmoiraghi

Nini Patte en l'Air and pupil in " The
Babes in the Wood "

competent chorus and a large corps
of extra ladies added to the attract-
iveness of the spectacle, while the
scenery, costumes, and armors had
never been surpassed here. Marie
Vanoni, Chanteuse Eccentrique,
was an added attraction for the last
few weeks of the run, receiving a
salary that a few years before would
have been considered beyond the
bounds of reason. 'The Babes in

399

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Marie Vanoni

the Wood" was first presented on Mon-
day, November 7, 1392, and ran thirteen
weeks, after which it was taken on tour
to a few of the larger cities. ' The Black
Crook" continuing to draw well in New-
York, Mr. Tompkins made another pro-
duction of the same piece for the World's
Fair in Chicago, where it duplicated its
Eastern success. It was not seen here
until the following season.

The Black Patti, Sissieretta Jones, sang
in concert on Sunday, November 27, to-
gether with Jules Levy and Princess Lily
Dolgorouky.

Anton Seidl and his orchestra appeared
on the afternoons of De-
cember 9, January 17,
February 23, and March
14.

The programme for the
Elks' Benefit on the after-
noon of Decern ber 8 was
a notable one, the list of
artists appearing including
Maurice Barrymore, Ame-
lia Glover. N. C. Goodwin,
James J. Corbett. School-
craft and Coes. Louis Al-
drich, Richards and Can-
field, Maude Banks, Gilbert

Arthur Dunn and Mamie Gray in "The
Babes in the Wood "

100

THE SEASON OF 1892-93

Richard Golden

Sarony, Marie Jansen, George W. Wilson, Fanny Davenport,

Richard Mansfield, Marie Tempest,

Maggie Cline, J. W. Kelly, John Kel-

lerd, Hughey Dougherty, the Judge

Brothers, Sherman and Morrisey,

and others.

Cyril Tyler, the boy soprano, sang

here on Sunday, January 8, 1893.
"The Babes in the Wood" closed

on February 4 and was followed by

"The Country Circus," which had

lost its attractiveness and played

three weeks

to only mediocre business. On the
afternoon of February 16, 1893, a
benefit was given to the veteran
actor, George W. Howard, who, hav-
ing become incapacitated by reason
of illness, was unable to follow his
profession. His fellow players from
all over the country hastened loyally
to his aid, offering both their money
and their services. The net receipts
after all bills had been paid were
$6125. The programme included
Francis Wilson, Lulu Glaser and com-
pany in an act from "The Lion
Tamer" ; Clara Poole-King sang; a
Minstrel First-Part introduced James

Henri Marteau

S. Maffitt, Neil Burgess, George W.

401

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Wilson the actor, E. H. Frye, Ed Howlett, Tom Martin, Andy
Leavitt, Frank Swift, Dan Galvin, and others ; La Regalon-
cita danced ; Joseph Jefferson played " Lend Me Five Shil-
lings," supported by
Annie Clarke, Edwin
Varrey, Thomas Jef-
ferson, Robert Edeson,
Franklin Hallett,
George A. Schiller,
and Mary Hampton ;
Frederick Howard re-
cited ; one act of "A
Temperance Town''
was given; Henry E.
Dixev entertained;
John Drew, Maude
Adams and company
played an act of "The
Masked Ball"; scenes from "1492" were rendered and the
afternoon closed with a scene from "The Country Circus,"
in which the circus seats were occupied by well-known mem-
bers of the Boston Athletic Association.

Joseph R. Grismer and Phcebe Davies in "The New
South" were seen for a fortnight commencing February 27.
Their company included Katherine Grey, Harry Davenport,
Alice Shepard Davenport, Charles Mackay, Holbrook Blinn,
Adolph Bernard, Scott Cooper, and Ben Cotton.

At the Boston Press Club Benefit on March 9, 1893, Stuart
Robson, May Irwin, Ida Mulle, Lizzie Macnichol Vetta,
Edwin Foy, Julia Marlowe, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nikisch,

402

Lillian Durell

THE SEASON OF 1892-93

Bertoto, Little Charlotte Hunt,
Mickey Finn (Ernest Jarrold),
Carrie Tutein, Chauncey Oleott,
and others appeared.

Lillian Durell (Mrs. Charles
F. Atkinson), a local soprano
whose voice had a marvelous
range in height, sang in "Faust"
and 'Mignon" the week of
March 13 to large houses, Lou-

ise Natali singing in "The Bo-
hemian Girl" on the off-nights.
The company consisted of Payne

Clark, W

Lillian Russell

H. Clark, G. Cam-
panari, J. C. Bartlett, G. Rob
Clark, W. H. Dodd, J. Lloyd,
Charles Garnsley, Lizzie Mac-
nichol Vetta, Gertrude Libby,
Gertrude Ackler, May Bosley,
and Luella Warner.

Henri Marteau the violinist
was the star at the Seidl Con-
cert on March 14.

Lillian Russell sang in "The
Mountebanks" the week of
April 3 and in " Girofle-Gi-
rofla" the weeks of April 10
and 17. C. Hayden Coffin, W.
T. Carleton, Louis Harrison,
Laura Clement, and Ada Dare

403

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Joseph R. Grismer and Phoebe Davies

were her principal support. Gilmore's Band played on Sun-
day, April 16, and again on April 30.

Hinrichs' Grand Opera filled the week of April 24 with " II
Trovatore," 'L'Amico Fritz," 'Cavalleria Rusticana," 'Don
Giovanni," 'The Bohemian Girl," and "Carmen," the art-
ists being Marie
Tavary (formerly
Basta-Tavary),
Selma Koert-Kro-
nold, Clara Poole.
Marcel la Lindh.
4fc| Maggio Gonzales,

^^T Payne Clark, W.

*P II. Chirk. Del Pu-

ente, William Xan-
ten, Bowman Ral-

404

Laura Burt

in "In Oltl Kentucky '

Julia Marlowe

THE SEASON OF 1892-93

Marie Tempest

ston, Montegriffo, and others. Helena Modjeska appeared in

"As You Like It" on May 1 and

in "Henry VIII" all the remain-
der of the week, Otis Skinner be-
ing; her leading man. Other mem-

hers of the company were John A.

Lane, Benjamin G. Rogers, R.

Peyton Carter, Beaumont Smith,

Wadsworth Harris, Rudolph Dc

Cordova, Annie E. Proctor, Mrs.

Beaumont Smith, Maud Durbin,

and Mrs. Hannah E. Sargeant.

Maud Durbin afterward married

Otis Skinner, who began his starring career in the following

season, that of 1893-94.

A melodrama called 4> The Span of Life" played four weeks

to surprisingly good houses,
opening on May 8. The start-
ling feature of this play was the
Human Bridge across a chasm,
which was executed by the Wil-
son Brothers, Luke, James, and
Lawrence. Luke Wilson was at
this time the husband of the
favorite prima donna, Camille
D'Arville.

The cantata of 'Esther" was
sung by local talent on Sunday,
May 21, the artists being D. M.

Babcock, Mrs. John W. O'Mealey, Minna Van Buren, Lon

40.5

Marie Jansen

THE BOSTON THEATRE

F. Brine, Samuel Tuckerman, Priscilla Lafayette, Harry Phelps,
Charles F. Tierney, and Miss Ray Lester Wallack.

Michael J. Dwyer gave "An Even-
ing with Thomas Moore'' on Sunday,
May 28.

The Commencement Exercises of
the Perkins Institution and Massa-
chusetts School for the Blind took
place on the afternoon of Tuesday,
June 6, on which occasion Helen
Keller, born deaf, dumb, and blind,
read aloud Longfellow's poem, " Flow-
ers.

The theatre was reopened on June
Edwin Foy 19 with Bartholomew's Equine Para-

dox for an indefinite run, but the
horses had lost their drawing powers and the house was
closed after two weeks.

Rev. J. J. McNultv save an illustrated lecture on "Ireland"
to a large house on Sunday, June 25.

Henry W. Putnam delivered the oration at the City of
Boston exercises on July 4.

CHAPTER XLII

THE SEASON OF 1893-94

George Thatcher's company, in "Africa," opened the
season of 1893-94 with a stay of two weeks, beginning
August 21.

'The Black Crook" commenced on Labor Day, September
4, the longest consecutive run of any Boston Theatre pro-
duction, remaining until January 6, eighteen weeks in
all. The cast was as follows :

Hertzog, the Black Crook

Greppo, his drudge

Rudolphe, a poor artist

Count Wolfenstein

Puffengruntz, his steward

Dragonfin

Zamiel, the arch-fiend

Caspar

Skuddlewhelp, familiar to Hertzog

Redglare, the recording demon

Wolfgar, a gypsy ruffian

Bruno, his companion

Stalacta, Queen of the Golden Realm

Amina, betrothed to Rudolphe

Dame Barbara, her foster mother

Rosetta

Carline

S. E. Springer.
John Page.
Nestor Lennon.
George K. Robinson.
A. C. Deltwvn.
Louis Odell.
Russell Hunting.
Edward Sanford.
Henry Clare.
E. K. Blande.
John J. Geary.
Frank McCabe.
Lida Dexter.
Ethel Ormonde.
Ella Craven.
Clara Belle.
Sadee MacDonald.

The scenery was painted by Charles S. Getz, Homer F.
Emens, Ernest Albert, Walter Burridge, J. S. Getz, and

407

THE BOSTON THEATRE

-$*

John Sommer. The costumes
were designed by Howell Rus-
sell and Wilhelm of London
and Alfred Edel of Paris, and
were made by C. Alias of Lon-
don, Landolf of Paris, and Mrs.
Hill of New York. The music
was composed by Jacobi of
London, Thomas Baker, and
Louis Baer. The armors were
made by J. L. Kennedy and Co.
of Birmingham, England. The
wigs were from Todt and Jor-
dan and the shoes from Azzi-

Jole Tornaghi

monti of New York. The ballet-
master was A. Bertrand, from the
Alhambra, London. The prem-
iere danseuse was Jole Tornaghi,
who had youth, beauty, and tal-
ent. The second premieres were
Maveroffer and Ricci. Signor Sal-
vaggi was the male dancer. A
dazzling march of the Amazons
in silver armors studded with
jewels was a brilliant feature. At-
tractive specialties were intro-
duced and often changed, those
seen during the run being Field-

Paquerette

408

THE SEASON OF 1893-94

ing the juggler, the Heras Family of male and female acro-
bats, the Tacchi Brothers, Paquerette, Carmencita, Ward and
Yokes, Florrie West, the Delina Sisters, Papinta, and the

Charles E. Evans in " A Parlor
Match "

William Hoey in " A Parlor
Match "

French Quadrille led by La Sirene. A ballet of popular airs
introduced "Hi Tiddy Hi Ti," "Oh, What a Difference in the
Morning," 'The Bowery," "Maggie Murphy's Home," and
'Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay." The final transformation scene was
entitled "Want and Abundance," the successive tableaux
being War, Famine, Grief, Hope, Industry, Peace, and Plenty.
One of the extra girls in the ballet was Gertrude Quinlan,
who afterwards won an enviable position as an opera singer
and comedienne in Henry W. Savage's companies.

409

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The Welsh Ladies' Choir, which was visiting this country
on the occasion of the World's Fair in Chicago, sang here
on Sunday, October 15.

The Most Reverend Archbishop W. H. Gross of Portland,
Oregon, lectured on Sunday, October 22, on "The One Great
Fact in the History of Mankind."

Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll made his first appearance in

several years on Sunday,
November 12, when he lec-
tured on "Shakespeare."
He appeared on three other
occasions during the season,
being heard on November
19, on "Abraham Lincoln,"
January 14, 1894, on "The
Gods," and on April 8, on
"What Shall We Do to be
Saved ?"

Bishop J. J. Kehoe lec-
tured on Sunday, Novem-
ber 26.
A benefit was given to D. Foster Farrar on December 3.
John Graham began a series of Sunday night concerts on
December 10, which continued with few interruptions until
June 3.

Joseph Jefferson in "Rip Van Winkle" drew $23,255 the
week of January 8. The receipts for the Saturday matinee
were $3540.75, the largest house he had ever played to. Annie
Mack Berlein was the Gretchen at this time.

On January 9, 1894, a benefit for the Emergency Hos-

410

Robert G. Ingersoll

THE SEASON OF 1893-94

pital drew $3500, Joseph Jefferson as Mr. Goligbtly, Thomas
W. Keene as Shylock, Camille D'Arville, and the Shoe and
Leather Minstrels being the drawing cards.

The Boston Theatre Vaudeville Company, organized to
play the week of January 15, included John C. Rice and
Sallie Cohen, O'Brien and Redding, the Glinserettis, Florrie
West, Wood and Shepard, Ward and Vokes, Paquerette,
J. W. Kelly, Blocksom and
Burns, and Carmencita. Al-
though this was one of the
strongest specialty companies
ever assembled, the week's
profits were small.

Evans and Hoey in Hoyt's
"A Parlor Match," with the
Merrilees Sisters, the De For-
eests, and the Olympia Quar-
tette as special features, drew
large houses the week of Jan-
uary 22. The Olympia Quartette were originally supernum-
eraries at the Boston Theatre, who started out in a small way
at the old Boylston Museum.

James J. Corbett, fresh from his victory over the English
champion pugilist, Charles Mitchell, played 'Gentleman
Jack," to large receipts the week of January 29, Jessie Vil-
lars, Marie Stuart, and Matthews and Bulger being seen in
specialties.

Charles H. Hoyt's "A Milk White Flag." written especially
with a view to its production in this theatre, was presented
on February 5, and ran seven weeks with this cast:

411

Ward and Vokes

THE BOSTON THEATRE

The Colonel, Christian Berriel

The Major, Paul Baring

The Judge Advocate, Howland Hooper

The Surgeon, Phil Graves

The Bandmaster, Steele Ayers

The Private, Willing Singer

The Lieutenant, Shedd Gore

The Dancing Master, Gideon Foote

., }- Vivandieres

The Standard Bearer, Carrie Flagg
The General, Hurley Burleigh
The Dear Departed, Piggott Luce
The Orphan, Pony Luce
The Particular Friend, Lize Dugro
The Bereaved, Aurora Luce

Charles Stanley.
Lloyd Wilson.
Arthur Pacie.
Harry Luckstone.
Gilbert Clayton.
Sam Weston.
Frank Baldwin.
Frank Lawton.
Avery Strakosch.
Lillian Markham.
Rosa France.
Etta Williamson.
Estelle Winston.
J. C. Miron.
Gilbert Clayton.
Mamie Gilroy.
Rillie Deaves.
Isabelle Coe.

The United States Military Academy Band from West
Point played to two large houses on February 11.

At the benefit of the
Boston Press Club on
Thursday, March 6. Sol
Smith Russell, Edward
Harrigan, Annie Yea-
mans, Joseph Haworth,
John Mason, Marion
Manola, Miriam O'Leary
Collins, Marion Giroux,
Carrie Tutein, and others
appeared. Thomas W.
Ross played the small

John Mason and Marion Manola

412

THE SEASON OF 1893-94

part of the Corporal in "Rosedale" and Lindsay Morrison
the Tax Collector in "Friend
Fritz." Adelaide Mason was
also billed to appear "for this
occasion only."

H. A. M'Glenen, for many
years the business agent of the
theatre, died suddenly on March
24, 1894. His benefit, which
was to have taken place on
Monday, March 26, was can-
celed and the house was closed
for that evening. William H.
Walsh was engaged as press

agent

after Mr. M'Glenen's

Materna

Pauline Hall

death and retained that posi-
tion, with the exception of one
year, until May, 1907.

Hoyt's "A Temperance
Town." with George Rich-
ards and Euoene Canfield in
the cast, was the attraction for
a fortnight beginning March
27.

Fanny Davenport played
Sardou's "Cleopatra' the
week of April 9, Melbourne

413

THE BOSTON THEATRE

MacDowell being her leading man. "La Tosca" was played

on Saturday night.

Two performances of German
opera were given on the after-
noons of April 11 and 12, under
the leadership of Walter Dara-
rosch, the singers including Ama-
lia Materna, Selma Koert Kronold,
Charlotte Walker, Marcella Lindh,
Marie Maurer, Anton Schott, Emil
Fischer, and Conrad Behrens. The
operas were "Die Walkiire" and
" Gotterdammerung."
.^ "A Texas Steer," the fourth

'? Hoyt play to be seen that season,

Pi filled the week of April 16.

*^^S^| & "The Two Orphans," with Kate

Peter Jackson Claxton as Louise and Madame

Janauschek as the Countess de
Linieres, followed for the week of
April 23.

At the Actors' Fund Benefit on
April 26. the following artists ap-
peared : Fanny Davenport, Charles
Barron, J. H. Barnes, Joseph Ha-
worth, William Seymour, Nat Childs,
the Bostonians, J. E. Dodson, Don-
nelly and Girard, Mine. Janauschek,
Joseph L.White, Kate Claxton, Alice
Fischer, and others. Himry Miller

414

THE SEASON OF 1893-94

"Uncle Tom's Cabin," with Peter Jackson, the colored
pugilist, as Uncle Tom, Charles E. ("'Parson") Davies as
the Auctioneer, Joe Choynski as George Shelby, and Little
Anna Laughlin as Eva, was the attraction for the week of
April 30.

Eugene Tompkins's Own Company presented "Pinafore"
the week of May 7, with the following cast :

Captain Corcoran D. M. Babcock.

Ralph Rackstraw Signor Montegriffo.

Dick Deadeye William McLaughlin.

Sir Joseph Porter Lew Dockstader.

Boatswain Lon F. Brine.

Josephine Lucille Jocelyn.

Buttercup Mabella Baker.

Hebe Mamie Gilrov.

Wilson Barrett and his London Company came on May 14
for three weeks, in the course of which he presented "Ben
My Chree," "The Stranger," "Claudian," "Hamlet," "Bel-
phegor the Mountebank," 'The Lady of Lyons," "Chatter-
ton," "Othello," "Virginius," and "The Silver King."

On Thursday afternoon. May 24, a testimonial was given
to William Harris, of the theatrical firm of
Rich and Harris, in commemoration of his
twenty-fifth anniversary as a manager. The
volunteers were Henshaw and Ten Broeck,
Mabel Stephenson, Otis Harlan, Walter
Jones, Wood and Sheppard, Willie Collier
and Ignaeio Martinetti, Nelson Wheatcroft,
Lottie Gilson, Henry E. Dixey, Marie Jan-
sen, Maud Hoffman, Frank Moran, Dan Peter Dailey

415

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Daly, Al Wilson, Ross and Fenton, Harry Conor and Geral-
dine McCann, George Fortescue, Henry Miller in "Frederic
Lemaitre," an act from " Charley's Aunt," E. J. Ratcliffe and
Isabel Irving; in "A Pair of Lunatics," an act from "A Coun-
try Sport," Joseph Haworth in "A Man of the World," and
an act from "Camille," with May Irwin as Camille and Peter

tDailey as Armand, and a chorus of well-
known managers and actors. Wilson Bar-
rett played ' Chatterton' and Charles
Dickson and Lillian Burkhart presented
'The Salt Cellar." The house was very
large and the beneficiary realized a desir-
able sum.

A benefit was given on Sunday, May
27, to the sufferers from the Roxbury fire
of May 15, which started in the grand
stand of the National League Baseball
Grounds.

The Commencement Exercises of the

Perkins Institution for the Blind took

place on Tuesday afternoon, June 5.

A boxing contest between Robert Fitz-

simmons and Joe Choynski on the evening of June 18 was

stopped by the police on account of brutality.

On the Fourth of July five entertainments of varied interest
were given. The exercises in the morning opened with a
prayer and the oration was delivered by Joseph H. O'Neil.
Three afternoon er tertainments were given for the school-
children by F. H. Robie's Entertainers, who included F. H.
Robie and wife, Jennie and Sadie Schuman, and others in

Robert Fitzsimmons

410

THE SEASON OF 1893-94

"Margery." In the evening Stanton Abbott and Billy (Cy-
clone) Myers fought fifteen rounds with eight-ounce gloves.
The theatre opened again on July 9 with Pauline Hall for
a fortnight, "La Belle Helene" being given the first week and
"The Chimes of Normandy" the second. Irene Murphy,
daughter of "Con'' Murphy, so long the stage doorkeeper
at this theatre, was the Serpolette in the latter piece. The
theatre then closed for the summer.

CHAPTER XLIII

THE SEASON OF 1894-95

For the season of 1894-95 the business staff was as fol-
lows : F. E. Pond, business manager ; Lawrence McCarty,
stage-manager; Napier Lothian, musical director; J. S.
Getz, John Sommer, and Richard Gannon, scenic artists;
William P. Prescott, machinist; Edward C. Smith, gas engin-
eer; J. F. Sullivan, properties; James W. Taylor, master of
auxiliaries; W. H. Onthank, chief usher; C. H. D. Stock-
bridge, W. J. Finn, E. E. Marden, and C. D. Murphy, door-
keepers ; W. H. Walsh, press representative ; Charles S.
Harris, advertising agent ; Frank M. Buckley and Fred C.

Parker, ticket-agents; Quincy Kilby,
treasurer. Of that number, Edward C.
Smith, James W. Taylor, and W. J.
Finn are still connected with the estab-
lishment. John Sommer, W. P. Pres-
cott, W. H. Onthank, C. D. Murphy,
and Fred C. Parker have since died.
Lawrence McCarty has risen to the
post of manager. Of the others, J. F.
Sullivan and C. H. D. Stockbridge have
retired from the theatrical profession,
to which F. E. Pond, C. S. Harris, E.
E. Marden, Frank M. Buckley, and

418

Fred E. Pond

Business Manager for thirteen
years

THE SEASON OF 1894-95

Steve Brodie

Quincy Kilby are still allied. Napier Lothian is living in re-
tirement in Boston.

This proved to be the greatest season
in point of receipts that the Boston The-
atre ever knew, the gross takings being
$424,396.95, an average of $9869.70 per
week and of $1071.71 per performance, of
which there were 396 in all. These figures
have never been equaled in any dramatic
establishment in this country, and prob-
ably not in any other country.

Cleveland's Minstrels began the year on
August 13, Billy Emerson and Marlow and Dunham being
featured.

"On the Bowery," with Steve Brodie the bridge-jumper
starred, drew full and enthusiastic houses the week of Au-
gust 20. The Byrne Brothers in
"Eight Bells" followed for the
week of the 27th.

Denman Thompson in 'The
Old Homestead" began on La-
bor Day, September 3, another
phenomenal engagement which
lasted seven weeks, to very large
returns. Denman Thompson's
Songs Illustrated and Illumi-
nated, a novel, beautiful, and
artistic entertainment, was first
offered on Sunday, September
T. D. Sullivan 16, and continued for seven

419

THE BOSTON THEATRE

John Philip Sousa

Sunday evenings and two Thursday matinees, September 27
and October 4.

The Southern drama, 'In Old Kentucky," opened on
October 22 a ten weeks' run to the same satisfactory business
as its predecessor. The Pickaninny Band and the Race were
the salient points of the play.

T. D. Sullivan, the Irish patriot, lectured on Sunday after-
noon, October 28.

John Graham had another series of Sunday night con-
certs which lasted throughout the season, with few interrup-
tions by other attractions in the way of benefits, etc.

420

THE SEASON OF 1894-95

Sousa's Band was first heard
here on Sunday evening, No-
vember 18, 1894, and also
appeared on the evenings of
November 25, February 10,
and 17, and June 10.

Colonel Inoersoll lectured
on December 2 and March 3.

Eugenie Fougere, the French
chanteuse, sang on Sunday
evening, December 9, when
Liberati, the cornetist, was
also heard.

Fougere

Liberati

"Shore Acres," with James
A. Heme as Uncle Nat, opened
on December 31 and contin-
ued three weeks, the receipts
increasing with each week.

Ysaye, the violinist, was heard
on Sunday, January 20, 1895.

'Rush City," a farce comedy
in which Sherrie Matthews and
Harry Bulger were featured,
played the week of January 21.

Wilson Barrett opened a fort-
night's engagement on January

421

THE BOSTON THEATRE

28, presenting "The Manxman" all of the first week, while

the second was devoted to
"Othello," "Virginius,"
"Hamlet," "Ben Mv
Chree," and 'The Silver
King." Mr. Barrett's last
appearance in the Boston
Theatre was on the even-
ing of February 9, 1895, in
the character of Wilfred
Denver in 'The Silver
King." Hanlon's "Super-
ba" filled the weeks of Feb-
ruary 11 and 18, playing to
large houses. Fanny Da-
venport presented Sardou's
"Gismonda" for one

month, opening on Tuesday, February 26. The receipts for

the 28 performances were $42,-

005.25, an average of $1500 for

each performance. A benefit for

the Emergency Hospital on the

afternoon of March 7 drew $4000,

the volunteers beino; John Mason

and Marion Manola, Katherine

Rober, the Bostonians, Al Wilson,

Bettina Girard, Lillian Thurgate,

Pauline Hall, Joseph Ha worth,

G. W. Wilson, Raymon Moore,

and others.

Ysayt

James A. Heme in

Shore Acres "

422

THE SEASON OF 1894-95

Walter Danirosch

Joseph Jefferson's annual engagement in " Rip Van Winkle"
attracted $23,148 into the treasury. It is strange how close
together were Mr. Jefferson's receipts in three consecutive
seasons, there being a range of only $107 in the three separate
amounts. About this time there was so much business being
done in the box-office that it was necessary to open three win-
dows for the sale of tickets, one for the Davenport engagement,
one for the Jefferson, and a third for the German opera which
was to follow.

Wagner opera in German, under the direction of Walter
Damroseh, with the New York Symphony Orchestra as a

423

THE BOSTON THEATRE

feature, occupied the theatre for ten performances, beginning
on April 1. The singers were Gadski, Brema, Sucker, Maurer,
Lindh, Max Alvary, Rothmuhl, Behrens, Fischer, Ober-

hauser, and Lange. The operas were
"Tristan and Isolde," "Lohengrin,"
"Die Walkure," "Siegfried," "Got-
terdammerung," "Tannhauser," and
"Die Meistersinger."

An unusual incident happened

durino- this

engagement.

Nicolaus

Mrs. John Drew

Rothmuhl was billed to sing the title
role in "Lohengrin" on Tues-
day evening, April 2, 1895, but was
taken suddenly ill and felt unable
to appear. Max Alvary was not
available for the part, as he had
sung Tristan the night before and was to be the Siegmund
in "Die Walkure" the following evening. The only other
suitable tenor was out of town, and the management, in
the depths of despair, was contemplating a dismissal of
the great audience. Suddenly Mr. Pond remembered that
there was a young tenor in "Rob Roy" who had sung
"Lohengrin" in Europe. This was the first year of the Castle
Square Theatre, when it was a combination house, and Fred
C. Whitney's company was appearing there in De Koven's
opera, "Rob Roy." The telephone was brought into re-
quisition and after much conversation the young tenor,
Barron Berthald, transferred his already-donned costume
to his understudy and was whisked away in a cab to the
Boston Theatre. Rothmuhl's trunk was broken open, his

424

THE SEASON OF 1894-95

costume was hastily fitted to Berthald, and at nine o'clock
the curtain rose. The patient audience had been kept in-
formed of the progress of affairs and had no reason to regret
the delay, for they heard one of the best performances of
'Lohengrin" ever given in this city. Mr. Damrosch quickly
engaged Berthald for the next season, but he never made so
great a hit again.

The house was closed on the evenings of April 10, 11, and
12, and the afternoon of the 13th. "The Black Crook" by
Mr. Tompkins's traveling company came in on Saturday
evening, April 13, and remained the follow-
ing two weeks.

Archbishop Ireland lectured on the even-
ing of Sunday, April 28.

Sandow the strong man began a fortnight's
engagement on April 29, supported by an
excellent specialty company which included
the Lucifers, high kickers and jumpers, Tom
Browne the whistler, Ben Dunham and Joe
Howard, bar performers, Scottie the card-
playing dog. Musical Dale, instrumentalist,
the Flying Jordans, trapeze performers,
Amann the impersonator, and Billy Van,
black-faced comedian.

At a benefit given to John Braham on the
afternoon of May 2, Minnie Florence and
Minnie Ashley were seen in character dances. Minnie Ash-
ley afterward gained recognition on the comic opera stage,
finallv retiring; to marry William Astor Chanler, a well-known
societv man of New York. On the same occasion Max Bach-

Sandow

425

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Victor Herbert

mann the sculptor gave a humorous talk on "Art from a Fin-

de-Siecle Standpoint."

Gilmore's Band, under the leader-
ship of Victor Herbert, was heard
on Sunday, May 5, Mr. Herbert
playing a violoncello solo on that oc-
casion.

'Trilby," a dramatization of Du
Maurier's novel of the same name,
came on May 13 for a four weeks'
run, Mabel Amber being the Trilby
and Gertrude Edmunds singing the

"Ben Bolt" song in the third act. On the afternoon of

June 5, after the Trilby matinee, a pair of small but expensive

slippers was given to the lady whose feet they best fitted

at a public trial. Miss Carrie Ellis of Westwood was the

fortunate contestant. This Cinderella-like contest was most

amusing to the spectators.

The Montgomery Light Guard

Veteran Association had a benefit

concert on Sunday, May 19.
Madame Yale, the complexion

specialist, lectured to the ladies

on Monday afternoon, May 20.
Edward W. Kinsley Post 113,

G. A. R., held memorial exercises

in the theatre on the forenoon of

Decoration Day, when the oration

was delivered by General Nelson

A. Miles, afterward at the head of the United States Army.

426

General Nelson A. Miles

THE SEASON OF 1894-95

A performance of "The Rivals' 1 was given on the after-
noon of Thursday, June 13, 1895, with this cast:

Sir Anthony Absolute William H. Crane.

Captain Absolute Henry Miller.

Sir Lucius O'Trigsrer Nat C. Goodwin.

Falkland Thomas W. Keene.

Bob Acres Joseph Jefferson.

David De Wolf Hopper.

Fag Thomas Q. Seabrooke.

Lydia Languish Viola Allen.

Mrs. Malaprop Mrs. John Drew.

Lucy Nellie McHenry.

These actors had volunteered for a benefit in New York to
C. W. Couldock and were afterward engaged for this single
performance by C. B. Jefferson and Joseph Brooks.

The Windsor Opera Company of New York gave per-
formances in Yiddish of "Blumele" on June 14, "The Beau-
tiful Esther" on the 15th and "Alexander" on June 17.

The theatre was then closed for reseating and decoration,
which prevented the customary Fourth of July exercises of
the City of Boston from being held there. Having once
gone away they have never returned, but are now held in
Faneuil Hall, which seems to be the most logical place for
them. Scaffolds were erected which filled the entire audi-
torium and an army of painters took possession of the
premises, the work being in charge of L. Haberstroh and
Son, who had been the decorators of the theatre when it
vvas built, and had also redecorated it once before, - - in
1870. The relief and sculptured work was done by Max
Bachmann, Air. Albert Haberstroh planning and carrying
out the color scheme. All of the old folding-chairs and

427

THE BOSTON THEATRE

benches were removed from the first floor and the first and
second balconies, and new, comfortable chairs substituted.
The lobbies and foyers were included in the rejuvenating
process, and the magnificent old playhouse looked like a new
building when the next season opened.

CHAPTER XLIV

THE SEASON OF 1895-96

Thatcher and Johnson's Minstrels were the first attrac-
tion, opening on Saturday evening, August 10, 1895, and
continuing; the following; week.

Byrne Brothers' "Eight Bells" followed for the week of
August 19.

Primrose and West's Minstrels filled the week of August
26, the Triennial Conclave of the Knights Templars of
America being held at that time. The effect on the theatre's
business was not good, the outside attractions proving too
strong.

On Monday, September 2, 1895, the last great production
that the Boston Theatre has made was first shown to the
public. 'Burmah," or, as it was called at the Drury Lane,
"A Life of Pleasure," was written by Henry Pettitt and
Augustus Harris, the authors of so many Boston Theatre
successes. It was cast as follows :

Sir Frederick Avondale James E. Wilson.

Captain Chandos H. Cooper Cliffe.

Desmond O'Brien Eugene Ormonde.

Captain Danby Max Figman.

Marcus Scasi Dore Davidson.

Sir John Berkeley Russell Hunting.

Johnson John J. Geary.

Doctor Delamere Eugene Chester.

Nora Hanlan Victory Bateman.

429

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Lady Mary Cli fiord Grace Mae Lanikin.

Phyllis De Belleville Minnie Dupree.

Lady Nellboroug-h Alice Belmore.

Laura Somerville Mary Hurley.

Ethel Morton Adelaide Nye.

Grace Mortimer Maude Brewer.

Mrs. Higgins Mabel Herbert.

During the run of the play Victory Bateman fell ill and
Henrietta Crosman was engaged to fill her place. A Maxim
gun was used in the battle scene and smokeless powder was
employed, both for the first time in America. A Gatling gun
was also introduced, and the largest church-organ ever heard
in a theatre was built especially for this production. A male
and female chorus and a choir of madrigal boys were intro-
duced in the cathedral scene. A genuine Irish jaunting-car
was employed in the first act. The synopsis of scenery was
as follows :

Act I. Ireland. Scene 1. A Village Forge.

Act II. The Thames. Scene 1. The lawn at Skindles.
Scene 2. Boulter's Lock. Scene 3. The House Boat.

Act III. London. Scene 1. Piccadilly Mansions. Scene 2.
The Vestibule. Scene 3. Empire Theatre, London.

Act IV. Burmah. Scene 1. The Camp. Scene 2. The
Jungle. Scene 3. The Chasm.

Act V. London. Scene 1. Captain Danby's House. Scene
2. Lady Mary's House. Scene 3. Clifford Hall. Scene 4.
The Cathedral.

A sensational feature of the piece was the leap of a horse
with a rider on his back across a wide and deep chasm, and
afterward the climb of the same horse up a steep and winding

430

bl)

-f^>

rfl

-4-J

.id

cr?

o
O

*-*

-G

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Ignace Paderewski

way at a distant height at the back of the stage. 'Burmah'

ran fifteen weeks, closing on Dt member
14, after which it was taken about New
England and to New York. It has not
since been seen here.

On Sunday, October 6, Ingersoll lec-
tured on " Foundations of Faith."

On Sunday, October 13, the Catholic
Total Abstinence Societies of Boston
celebrated their Silver Jubilee by a con-
cert and a lecture by Rev. P. A. McKenna
in reply to the "North iVmerican Re-
view's" "Menace of Romanism."

On Sunday, November 3, a concert was given by the Ger-
mans of Boston in aid of the fund for the proposed "Alten-
heim." Carl Zerrahn, Gustav Strube, and Dr. Louis Kelter-
born directed an orchestra of 75 musicians, a male chorus
of 350, and a mixed cho-
rus of 125. The receipts
were $2300.

Thomas J. Gargan lec-
tured on Sunday. Novem-
ber 17, on "The Patriot-
ism of Adopted Citizens."
Gilmore's Band, under
the leadership of Victor
Herbert, gave concerts
on Sunday evenings. No-
vember 24 and Decem-
ber 1 . Mrs. James Brown Potter

432

THE SEASON OF 1895-96

Helena Modjeska

"In Old Kentucky" began a two weeks' engagement on
December 16.

At Father Cummins's Christmas concerts on December 29,
afternoon and evening, Joseph Murphy, Joseph Haworth,
Sadie Martinot, Al. H. Wilson, J. K. Murray, and a double
quintette of pianists, who played simultaneously on ten
pianos, were among the attractions.

Madame Modjeska, with Joseph Haworth as leading
man, began a two weeks' engagement on December 30, pre-
senting "Mary Stuart," "As You Like It," "Camille,"

433

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Emil Paur

"Measure for Measure," " Macbeth," " Magda," " Much Ado

About Nothing-," and "Twelfth
Night."

Paderewski the pianist, in con-
junction with the entire Boston
Symphony Orchestra, conducted
by Emil Paur, appeared on Sun-
day, January 5, for the benefit
of the family of A. Goldstein, a
former member of the orchestra.
The receipts were $3262.75.

At a performance given on
Tuesday afternoon, January 7,
1896, for the benefit of the starv-
ing Armenians, Modjeska, Mrs. James Brown Potter, Kyrle
Bellew, Richard Golden, Willie Collier, and Louise Allen
Collier took part.

Primrose and West's Minstrels
filled the week of January 13.

At the Theatrical Mechanics'
Benefit on the afternoon of Jan-
uary 16, E. H. Sothern, Howard
Gould, Charles Barron, Annie
Clarke, Cleveland's Minstrels,
Aubrey Boucicault, Sadie Mar-
tinot, Louis Massen, Bunth and
Rudd, and others were seen.

Henry Watterson lectured on
Abraham Lincoln on Sunday,
January 19.

434

Henry Watterson

Behrens

Popovici

Alvary

Schilling

Berthald

Klatsky

Gadski

Ternina

Gruening

Damrosch German Opera Company 1806

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Hanlon's "Superba" followed for the fortnight beginning
January 20.

On Sunday, January 26, at a concert given under the aus-
pices of the St. James's Choir, Rossini's 'Stabat Mater"
was sung by Gertrude Franklin, Aagot Lunde, J. H. Ricket-
son, T. E. Clifford, and Arthur Beresford, assisted by an
orchestra of Boston Symphony musicians and a chorus of
300. Signor Augusto Rotoli was the conductor.

On February 3 the Damrosch Opera Company initiated
a two weeks' season, the artists being Klafsky, Gadski, Ter-

nina, Mulder, Eibenschutz, Schilling,
Maurer, Stoll, Mattfeld, Max Alvary,
Gruening, Popovici, Fischer, Ber-
thald, Behrens, Mertens, Lange, and
Stehmann. Walter Damrosch s own
opera, 'The Scarlet Letter," was
presented at this time, the libretto
having been written bv George Par-
sons Lathrop, son-in-law of Na-
thaniel Hawthorne, the author of
the novel from which the opera was
taken. Other offerings were 'Lo-
hengrin," " Tannhauser," " Die Wal-
kiire," ' Gotterdammerung," 'Siegfried," 'Die Meistersin-
ger," 'Tristan and Isolde." and "Der Freischiitz."

Timothy Adamowski gave a concert on Sunday even-
ing, February 9, being assisted by Fran Klafsky and the
New York Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Walter Dam-
rosch.

Kathryn Kidder opened in Sardou's " Madame Sans

436

E. H. Sothern

THE SEASON OF 1895-96

Katlnyn Kidder

Gene" on February 17 and remained five weeks, Augustus
Cook assuming the role of Napoleon.

At the Elks' Benefit on the afternoon of March 5, Kathryn
Kidder, Ward and Vokes, Marie Dressier, Dan Daly, Neil
Burgess, John Le Hay, Maurice Farkoa, Fred Wright.
Raymon Moore, and Maggie Cline were among the enter-
tainers.

Ingersoll lectured on March 8 on 'The Liberty of Man,
Woman, and Child," and on Mav 17 he gave his new lee-
ture, " Why I am an Agnostic."

437

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Richard Golden and many others were seen at the benefit
for the St. Agnes Industrial School on Sunday, March 12.

Fanny Davenport began on March 24 a four weeks' stay,
presenting " Gismonda " for one week and a half, " La Tosca"
for one half week, and " Cleopatra' ' for the final fortnight.

The Emergency Hospital had a
benefit on March 31, at which were
seen Fanny Davenport, W. H. Crane,
Kate Claxton, Robert Hilliard, Arthur
C. Sidman, the Castle Square Opera
Company, and others.

Innes's Band was heard on April 12.

rLa Loie Fuller was seen in her
j$^mjr famous dances the week <>F April -20.
supported by Charles D. Kellogg, bird
imitator, Hines and Remington, Ameri-
can costers, Julius Witmark, baritone
soloist, Sherman and Morrisey, acrobatic comedians. Will H.
Fox, comedian pianist, and Fannie Went worth, the female
Grossmith.

On the afternoon of April 22, Eleo-
nora Duse, the Italian tragedienne,
supported by a company of her coun-
trymen, was seen in " Cavalleria Rus-
ticana" and "La Locandiera." On
the afternoon of April 24 she played
"Camille."

The Boston Press Club Benefit on
the afternoon of April 23 was made
attractive by the presence of Henry

438

Maggie Cline

limes

THE SEASON OF 1895-96

Irving, Frank Daniels, Chauneey Olcott, Fanny Davenport,
Julia Arthur, Elita Proctor Otis, the Fadette Orchestra, and
the Castle Square Opera Company. This was Mr. Irving's
last appearance in the Boston Theatre. He appeared in "A
Story of Waterloo," a one-act play by Conan Doyle.

Sousa's Band was heard on the evenings of April 26,
May 3 and 10.

Joseph Jefferson
played his annual en-
gagement the week of
April 27. Mary Shaw
was the Gretchen at
this time.

During this week the
manager of the theatre
was arrested for allow-
ing Sousa's Band to
give a concert in his
theatre on Sunday and
was fined fifty dollars
for his wickedness.
Since that time all Sun-
day evening concerts
and vaudeville enter- Eleonora Duse

tainments in the city

of Boston have been ostensibly 7 for religious or charitable
purposes.

Madame Yale lectured on the afternoon of April 28, seats
being free to ladies. The male sex was supposed to be
absent, but those of the ushers and musicians whose busi-

4S9

THE BOSTON THEATRE

ness kept them in the theatre heard and saw nothing to
shock their sensibilities.

James A. Heme was seen in "Shore Acres" for four weeks
beginning May 4.

Sheridan's comedy, "The Rivals," was given on the after-
noon of May 29, 1896, with Joseph Jefferson as Bob Acres,
William H. Crane as Sir Anthony Absolute, Nat C. Good-
win as Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Robert Taber as Captain
Jack Absolute, Joseph Holland as Falkland, E. M. Holland
as Fag, Francis Wilson as David, Mrs. John Drew as Mrs.
Malaprop, Julia Marlowe Taber as Lydia Languish, and

Fannie Rice as Lucy. The re-
ceipts were $6996.50.

On the morning of Memo-
rial Day, May 30, Hon. Albion
W. Tourgee spoke on "Yester-
day's Duty and How It Was
Done," under the auspices of
Edward W. Kinsley Post 113,
G. A. R.

Tommy Stringer and Willie
Elizabeth Robin, both born
deaf, dumb, and blind, ap-
Kyrie Beilew peared at the Commence-

ment Exercises of the Perkins
Institution for the Blind on the afternoon of Tuesday,
June 2.

'The Liberty Bell," which was billed as a Patriotic,
Romantic Opera, opened on the evening of Tuesday, June 2,
in hopes of making a summer stay, but the public failed to

440

W. H. Crane
Julia Marlowe
Joseph Holland

Mrs. John Drew
Joseph Jefferson
Francis Wilson E. M. Holland

The Rivals 1896

N. C. Goodwin
Fannie Rice
Robert Taber

THE BOSTON THEATRE

respond to its allurements and its season suddenly closed
after the performance of Friday, June 5. Thus ended the
season of 1895-96.

The number of stars, past and present, who appeared at
the Boston Theatre at one or more performances during the
season of 1895-96 has doubtless never been equaled in a single
season at any other playhouse in the world. The following
names comprise the list : Joseph Jefferson, Henry Irving,
E. H. Sothern, Nat C. Goodwin, Francis Wilson, W. H.
Crane, Frank Daniels, Kyrle Bellew, James A. Heme, Robert
G. Ingersoll, xVlbion W. Tourgee, Joseph Murphy, Willie
Collier, Neil Burgess, Richard Golden, Dan Daly, Chauncey
Olcott, Ward and Vokes, Robert Hilliard, Joseph Wheelock,
Jr., Joseph Holland, E. M. Holland, Maurice Barrymore,
Robert Taber, Joseph Haworth, Howard Gould, Howard
Kyle, Aubrey Boucicault, Robert McWade, John Jack,
Joseph Jefferson, Jr., Melbourne MacDowell, Al. H. W'ilson,
J. K. Murray, Charles Barron, Louis Massen, Dan McAvoy,
Neil Warner, Edwin Arden, Max Figman, Dore Davidson,
Robert Drouet ; Eleonora Duse, Fanny Davenport, Helena
Modjeska, Julia Marlowe, Julia Arthur, Kate Claxton, Mrs.
James Brown Potter, Henrietta Crosman, Kathryn Kidder,
Loie Fuller, Sadie Martinot, Mary Shaw, Elita Proctor Otis,
Minnie Dupree, Victory Bateman, Marie Dressier, Louise
Allen Collier, Lizzie May Ulmer, Mrs. John Drew, Fanny
Rice, Louise Rial, Annie Clarke; Walter Damrosch, Johanna
Gadski, Katharina Lohse-Klafsky, Milka Ternina, Max
Alvary, Wilhelm Gruening, Emil Fischer, Barron Berthald,
Conrad Behrens, Gerhard Stehmann, Demeter Popovici,
the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Symphony

442

THE SEASON OF 1895-96

Orchestra, Sousa's Band, Gilmore's Band, Innes's Band,
Reeves's Band, Ignace Paderewski, Timothy Adamowski,
Victor Herbert, Carl Zerrahn, Augusto Rotoli, Alfred de
Seve ; Primrose and Wests Minstrels, Thatcher and John-
son's Minstrels, Cleveland's Minstrels, George Wilson, Lew
Benedict, Raymon Moore, Bunth and Rudd, and the Brothers
Byrne.

CHAPTER XLV

THE SEASON OF 1896-97

In 1896 Eugene Tompkins took a five years' lease of the
Park Theatre in Boston and managed it in connection
with the Boston Theatre. The venture proved profitable,
but not highly so.

The season of 1896-97 at the Boston Theatre began on
August 24 with a two weeks" stay of the Cuban melodrama,
"The Last Stroke," with Frederic de Belleville in the leading
role.

Denraan Thompson in "The Old Homestead" opened on
Labor Day, September 7, and continued seven weeks to his
customary large business.

A benefit was given on Sunday, September 27, to the family
of J. W. Kelly, "The Rolling Mill Man," an Irish specialty
performer of unique personality. A great many performers
volunteered and the sum of $2460 was realized.

The New York Seventh Regiment Band played on Sunday,
October 18, and again on the 25th.

The Cleveland-Haverly Minstrels were seen the week of
October 26.

Fanny Davenport played "Fedora" to a week of large
receipts beginning November 2.

Evans and Hoey offered "A Parlor Match" to large houses
the fortnight commencing; November 9. Anna Held made her
Boston debut with them at that time. One evening during

444

M**

3Br

. t

M .

Durot

Col. Mapleson

Di Marchi

Bimboni

Scalchi

Darcl^e

Dado

Huguet

De Anna

Rnndaccio

Bona plata- Bail

Ughetti

Mapleson's New Imperial Opera Company 1896

THE BOSTON THEATRE

this engagement Chiquita the midget brought over from the
Zoo (the old Public Library Building) a baby lion and pre-
sented it to Miss Held.

Hanlon's "Superba" followed for the week of November
23, the receipts for Thanksgiving evening, November 26,
1896, being $2695.75, the largest house at the prices ever
known in the theatre.

Grand opera by the Imperial Opera Company, under the
management of Colonel J. H. Mapleson, was announced for
the fortnight beginning November 30, the artists being Mme.
Darclee, Mme. Bonaplata-Bau, Mme. Chalia, Mme. Dotti,
Mme. Scalchi, Mme. Ponzano, Di Marchi, De Anna, Dado,
Randaccio, Ughetti, and others. "Aida" was the opening
bill and that opera was given the best rendition it had ever
had in Boston. 'Lucia di Lammermoor" followed on Tues-
day, and that too was exceedingly well done. The public
neglected the company, however, as had been the case in
other cities, and those who assembled on Wednesday evening
to hear the new opera, "iVndrea Chenier," discovered that the
orchestra had gone on a strike for money due for the previous
week's services. Mr. Tompkins offered to guarantee the pay-
ment of all bills incurred for the Boston performances, but the
musicians refused to discuss the matter, and left the theatre.
The small receipts were returned to the ticket-buyers and
the audience was dismissed. Two benefits were given for the
members of the company on Saturday and Sunday evenings,
December 5 and 6. The bill for Saturday evening was
"Andrea Chenier" and the fourth act of " Les Huguenots,"
while on Sunday the "Stabat Mater" was sung.

James O'Neill, hurriedly summoned in from a New Eng-

44fi

THE SEASON OF 18 9 6-97

land tour, played "Monte Cristo" the week of December 7

to excellent houses, considering the short

time available for advertising. Margaret

Anglin was his leading lady at this time.
Maurice Barry more in "Roaring Dick

and Co.," his own dramatization of Bes-

ant and Rice's novel, "Ready Money

Mortiboy," occupied the theatre the weeks

of December 14 and 21, the houses being

very light. The receipts for the evening

of Wednesday, December 23, 1898, were

the smallest in thirty-three years, the gross

takings being forty-three dollars, the non-
attractiveness of the play being aggra-
vated by a blizzard and a street-car strike.

W. J. Le Moyne was Mr. Barry more's

principal support. A benefit was given to Colonel Mapleson

on Sunday, December 27.

" The War of Wealth:' a mel-
odrama by C. T. Dazey, author
of "In Old Kentucky," was
presented on December 28 and
ran two weeks to light houses.
"Brian Born," a romantic
Irish opera by Stanislaus Stange
and Julian Edwards, opened on
January 11 and ran three weeks,
the chief singers being Grace
Golden, Amanda Fabris, Ame-
lia Summerville, Helen Brack-

Anna Held

447

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Blanche Walsh

ett, Max Eugene, Bruce Paget, George O'Donnell, Jefferson

De Angelis, and John C. Sla-
vin.

Sunday, January 24, 1897,
was a day to be remembered
in the annals of the Boston
Theatre for its diametrically
opposed attractions. In the
afternoon Rev. Sam Jones,
the noted revivalist, preached
a sermon. In the evening Col-
onel Robert G. Ingersoll, the
famous agnostic, lectured on
'How to Reform Mankind/'
The receipts for the evening
were the largest that Colonel Ingersoll had ever drawn in
Boston, the gross amount being $2317.50.

Walter Damrosch's German Op-
era Company began a two weeks'
season on February 1, his singers
including Lilli Lehmann, Johanna
Gadski, Susan Strong, Marie Matt-
feld, Ernest Kraus, Paul Kalisch,
Carl Somer, Emil Fischer, Ger-
hard Stehmann, William Mertens,
William Xanten.and others. "Tris-
tan and Isolde," " The Flying Dutch-
man,'' "Carmen," "Tannhauser,"
"Lohengrin," "Die Meistersinger,"

"Fidelio," "Das Rheingold."

"Die

Maxine Elliott

448

THE SEASON OF 1896-97

Walkiire," " GOtterdammerung," and " Siegfried" were given.
Emma Calve was to have come from New York to sino; Car-
men, but was prevented by illness, much to the disappoint-
ment of the ticket-holders. Camille Seygard was hastily sub-
stituted and the opera was presented, but its chief attraction
was lacking;.

"Under the Polar Star," a well-staged melodrama of the
Polar Circle, was the attraction for four weeks beginning
February 15. William A. Brady,
its manager, performed a feat
which he has often duplicated,
of going on the stage at ex-
tremely short notice and play-
ing well a part that had been
left vacant by an ailing actor.
This time it was the role of
Alexy, an Esquimaux guide,
that he so well impersonated.

Robert Mantell, Charles T.
Ellis and wife, Gus Heege,
George Thatcher, Phyllis Al-
len, and others volunteered for

the Emergency Hospital Benefit on February 18. Phyllis
Allen, a lady with a phenomenal contralto voice, had been,
in 1880 and 1881, a member of the dancing ballet employed
in "The Voyagers in Southern Seas" and "Michael Stro-
goff."

A reception was given on Sunday, February 21, to Edward
J. Ivory, who had recently been on trial for his life before an
English court. The receipts were not large.

449

Andrew Mack

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Brooke's Chicago Marine Band played on the afternoons
and evenings of Sundays, March 14 and 21, and April 4.

"Jack and the Beanstalk/' an extravaganza by R. A.
Barnet with music by A. B. Sloane, which had been originally
performed by the members of the First Corps of Cadets,
was brought out on March 15 for a two weeks' engagement.
Its success was phenomenal, the receipts for the fortnight
reaching $29,969.25. The cast was:

Jack Hubbard

King Cole

Sin bad

Mr. Ruse, a Giant

Sir Harry Hatewurk

Neverwash

Evertyrd

Rowland

Oliver

Sir Guy Coffin

Princess Mary

Little Miss Muffet

Sonanum Tuberoseum

Mrs. Ruse

Asparagus Blossom

Caterpillar

Old Mother Hubbard

Madge Lessinsr.
Alexander Clark.
Harry Kelly.
H. M. Morse.
Hubert Wilke.
Basil Tetson.
Robert Craig.
Justine Batio.
Kitty Perry.
H. L. Trau b.
Maude Hollins.
Nellie Lynch.
Ross Snow.
Daniel Baker.
Miss Hearn.
Meta Caldwell.
Carrie Perkins.

"In Old Kentucky" followed for the week of March 29.

The Elks' Benefit on April 1 enlisted the services of Nat
C. Goodwin and Maxine Elliott, Madame Janauschek,
Blanche Walsh, Adah Richmond Stetson, Chiquita, Marie
Jansen, Harry Conor, Harry Gilfoil, J. K. Murray, Clara
Lane, Hattie Belle Ladd, Sam Collins, Florrie West, the

450

THE SEASON OF 1896-97

Frederic De Belleville

Fadette Orchestra, Clarice Vance, Dore Davidson, George

Fawcett, Amelia Bingham, Min-
nie Dupree, Jessie Busley, Alice

Fischer, Laura Burt, and a host

of others.

"Lost, Strayed or Stolen," a

bright comedy which had met

with great success at the Park

Theatre, was presented the weeks

of April 5 and 12, but the removal

was disastrous and it failed to

draw. Louis Harrison and Geor-
gia Caine headed the company.
Madame Yale lectured to ladies

on Monday afternoon, April 12. 'The Sporting Duchess,"

a drama of racing, with a cast
which included Rose Coghlan,
Cora Tanner, Elita Proctor Otis,
J. H. Stoddart, Harry Lacy, and
Louis Massen, opened on Patri-
ot's Day, April 19, for one week.
James J. Corbett, who had met
with pugilistic defeat at the hands
of Robert Fitzsimmons on St.
Patrick's Dav of this vear, was
seen in "The Naval Cadet" the
week of April 26.

Andrew Mack played his first

starring engagement in this theatre the week of May 3, the

play being "Myles Aroon."

451

James J. Corbett in 1897

THE BOSTON THEATRE

George Richards and Eugene Canfield appeared in "A
Temperance Town" the week of May 10.

Fanny Davenport returned for the week of May 17, play-
ing "Gismonda," "Fedora," and "La Tosca."

Rt. Rev. Bishop Watterson of Columbus, Ohio, lectured
on Sunday, May 30, the theatre having been closed all the
previous week.

Moving pictures of the Corbett-Fitzsimmons contest opened
on May 31 and drew surprisingly large houses, the receipts
for the first day being $3893.75 for three performances,
at prices ranging from twenty-five cents to one dollar. The
first week of twelve performances drew $10,760, there being
no performance on Tuesday afternoon on account of the
Commencement Exercises of the Perkins Institution being
held then. The pictures remained four weeks, the season
closing on June 26.

CHAPTER XLVI

THE SEASON OF 1897-98

IV-

For the season of 1897-98 Fred C. Parker and Frank A.
Harding were the ticket-agents. No other changes of any
importance took place in the business staff.

Harkins and Barbour's version of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin"
opened on Saturday evening, August 14, and continued the
following fortnight. Although a better play, it did not prove
so popular as the familiar version.

Primrose and West's Minstrels were seen the week of
August 30, Milt Barlow and George Wilson being in the com-
pany. George Primrose sang
" A Hot Time in the Old Town
To-night," which a few months
later was called our national
anthem.

"The Cherry Pickers," a
drama of the Sepoy Mutiny,
written by Joseph Arthur, oc-
cupied the house for two weeks,
beginning on Labor Day, Sep-
tember 6.

The Bostonians returned to
this theatre on September 20,
after some years of absence,
rendering "The Serenade" for

453

Jessie Bartlett Davis

THE BOSTON THEATRE

two weeks and 'Robin HoocT' for the third. These were

financially the largest three weeks the Bos-
tonians had ever played, the last week
being their largest week, and the last day,
Saturday, October 9, their largest day. The
company included H. C. Barnabee, W. H.
MacDonald, George Frothingham, Eugene
Cowles, William E. Philp, Harry Brown,
W.H.Fitzgerald, Alice Nielsen, Jessie Bart-
lett Davis, Josephine Bartlett, and Elea-
nore Giusti.

Ingersoll lectured on 'The Truth' on
Sunday, October 3.

Joseph Jefferson in "Rip Van Winkle"

crowded the houses during the week of

Edna May

October 11.

Fanny Davenport began her last engage-
ment in the Boston Theatre on Wednesday, October 20, the
theatre having been closed for rehearsal on Monday and Tues-
day evenings. Great secrecy had been observed concerning
her new play, the name and theme having been kept from
the public until the opening night. The
title when finally announced proved to
be "A Soldier of France, " the life and
death of Joan of Arc being the subject
treated. Business was not good and the
play ran but three weeks.

A drama of similar title, "A Ward
of France," was the attraction for the
next three weeks. This play had to do

454

Eugenio Sorrentino

THE SEASON OF 1897-98

with the character of Lafitte, the pirate, this part being
played by Maurice Barrymore, and was written by Franklin
Fyles and Eugene W. Presbrey, the latter a former member
of the stock company.

The Banda Rossa, an Italian military band, was heard in
concerts on November 4, 21, and 28, under the leadership of
Eugenio Sorrentino.

"The Belle of New York," with Dan Daly and Edna May
in the principal roles, played the week of November 29, 1897,
making an unexpected hit, as it had not
done well at the Casino in New York,
though it afterward created a furore in
England and this country as well.

Margaret Mather began what proved
to be her last visit to this house on De-
cember 6, playing "Cymbeline" all the
first week, while the second was divided
between "Romeo and Juliet." "The
Honeymoon." and " Leah." Miss Mather died suddenly early
in the following year at Charleston, West Virginia.

One of the attractions at the Theatrical Mechanics' Benefit
on December 16. 1897, was Rosie Boote of the London
Gaiety Company, who offered her dancing specialty. Miss
Boote has since gained fame by marrying an English marquis.

Hanlon's "Superba" was the holiday attraction, opening
on December 20, and remaining two weeks.

W. Bourke Cochran lectured on Sunday evening. January 2.

Sousa's opera, 'The Bride Elect," with both words and
music by the celebrated bandmaster, was produced on Janu-
ary 3 and ran four weeks.

455

Margaret Mather

THE BOSTON THEATRE

Anna Held, supported by a vaudeville company and by a
number of players who were seen in the Chinese play, "The
Cat and the Cherub," opened in a blizzard on January 31,
but succeeded in attracting good houses before the week was
over. The vaudeville artists were Dixon, Brown and Dixon,
Lizzie Evans and Harry Mills, Frank Lawton, Burke and

Andrews, Bessie Bonehill.
the De Kock Troupe, and
Ben Harney and Strap
Hill.

Lillian Russell, Delia
Fox, and Jefferson De
Angelis, in a comic opera
by Stanislaus Stange and
Julian Edwards, ' The
Wedding Day," played
two big weeks beginning
February 7.

On February 21 Wal-
ter Damrosch began a sea-
son of opera in French,
German, and Italian, his
manager being Charles A. Ellis and his artists Melba, Gadski,
Barna, Seygard, Toronta. Standigl, Mattfeld, Van Cauteren,
Nordica, Ibos, SalignacRothmuhl, Breuer, Vanni, Van Hoose,
Kraus, Bispham, Boudouresque, Fischer, Stehmann, Rains,
Viviani, and Campanari. Mr. Damrosc