WALLACK THE ACTOR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8623, 26 October 1888, Page 6

WALLACK THE ACTOR.

The San Francisco mail of Monday last brought news of the death of two veterans of the American stage, the name of one indeed, the proprietor of Wallack’a Theatre in Broadway, being known wherever people take an interest in dramatic doings. Lester Wallack was born in New York in 1821, his father being a well-known English actor who had settled in the United States and made his name famous there. His father had been educated in England, and intended that he should enter the British army; but the young ‘ man’s bent was towards the stage, and in 1843 he made his first appearance in Dublin as Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing. Soon after this he returned to America, where his manly beauty, rich voice, and great capabilities won him a favour which never deserted him. In 1851 his father built him the theatre in Broadway which, with successors under the same title, has become world-renowned. Sooner or later every famous actor and actress appears on the boards of Wallack’s. The policy of the management, to secure the best players, the best plays, the best stage accessories, made its fortunes. English were as welcome as Americans. A rising jeune premier, & charming ingenue, or a comedian hardly ever made a <c hit ” in London without receiving overtures for appearance at the celebrated home of the drama ■

in Broadway. In reality there have been three " Wallack’s” theatres. That of 1851 ' was built further “up town” ten years later, and in 1881 the magnificent edifice was erected at the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth streets, the older house being renamed the “ Star.” ;• Lester Wallack, besides being an actor and manager of whom Americans were proud, was a playwright whose successes were by no means small in his own country, the play was the most popular being Bdsedale, which has held the stage, for more than twenty years. The deceased. actor _ and manager was one of the most distinguished and handsomest men in New York, and his perfect manners and liberal patronage of art and letters made him exceedingly popular. It is not so many months since the most extraordinary benefit performance ever given in America was organised on his behalf, when every great actor, actress and singer in the United S fates appeared on the stage, some of them playing quite subordinate and tiny parts, jus tier the purpose of showing themselves and their affection for Wallack. One enthusiastic lady stepped her own performance at a neighbouring theatre, and trooped off with her whole Company to appear cn masse. Lester Wallack had made much money, and lived in a palace; but ho had spent much, too. In fact his great house was a perfect museum of art treasures. Probably he has left very little behind him. Indeed the benefit above referred to, although he generously gave away the proceeds in charity, shows what the opinion of hifl follow-players was regarding the state of his finances.