THE STAGE IN THE STATES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2157, 27 June 1895, Page 37

THE STAGE IN THE STATES.

(Specially Compiled kor the Witness.) March 20. Dear PASqi'ix,— Gertrude Berkeley is playing in "The Girl I Left Behind Me" at tho Callfornian Theatre, 'Frisco. Jules Levy, the comet soloist, was at latfcst »t the 'Fvieco Orpheum. Abbey and Grau's French and Italian Grand Opera Company produced "Tho Huguenots" at St. Louia Music Hall hut week, the cast including Melba, Nordica, the d'Reszkes, and other prorniDent artists. The attendance was phenomenal, over 10GO people standing The receipts, 11,00'Jdol, broke the record, Patti's lO.OOOdoI being the next largest. ihe Connor Brotberp, coloured acrobats, who went out with Charles B. Hicks's Coloured Coons to Australia, where they »en>nined, are well kuown in this country, having toured the Stales at vaiious times with the John Robiuson, Forepaugn, and Barnum Circuses. Niblo's G^Tdens, New York, the oldest pl»yhoiuc in America, on March 23 terminated its career as a place of amusetneut. For nearly acentury the ground where Niblo's now btands has been given over to the use of amusement enterprises of various sort*, and many triumphs oft he most noted people and also many failures have lesulted from its occupancy. A short history of this disappearing landmark of metropolitan amusements may be of interest to readers of this column. About 1800 a circus and training giound for racehor.-jes, called the Stadium, was established on the north-cast cily corner of Broadway and Prince street, New York city. The site, purchased by S. Van Uuusaellcr for lo.OOOJaI, i was a portion of the old Bayard farm. After tho war of 1812 the enclosure wus usnd as a drilling ground for militia officers. Early in 1812 the site I was occupied by the Colun<biat>.Garden<;, devoted to summer night enterUiumeuts, and many singciv, dancers, and specialist* of that day appeared there. On July 4, 1827, th* Sans S<wci Theatre cwno into existence on this tpot. Mr Gilfert was proprietor and manager, and the optning performance was "The Hundred Pound Note," the cast including George Barrett, W. B. Chapman, and Mrs Barrett, the .soasun terminating August 19, 1527. Iv 182S William Niblo established a restaurant and the garden which now bears his name. On May 18 of the following year he opened his concert saloon, and lator erected the fust Niblo's Gardens, a veiy pretentious and handsome thc.ttve. Joseph Jiffcrson and John Sefton with a company appeared here in September 1837. Sept mber 3, 18:t9, the house was leased by James W. Wallack, who opened with his company on October 1 following. A season was opened June V, 1842, when the Ravels gave "Mazulra, the Night Owl" for the fiist time in" America. E. L. Davenport made his New York debut August i), 1813 ; John Dunn ("Rascal Jack '') bin American debut June 21, 1814 ; Mrs W. H. Crisp (mother of Harry Crisp and ihe present | Georgia congressman), a noted actress of that time, her Amer can debut October 13, 18J5 ; Mademoiselle Blangeuse, French dancer, American debut July 7. 1816". The Ravel Family performed September 17, 184(5. and the following morning the theatre was entirely destroyed by file. Tho fiaiues spread so rapidly that in a short time the whole block bounded by Broadway, Prince and Crosby streets was consumed Three yoiUM Uter, July 30, IS 10, the seond Niblo's Gardens was opened witli Chippendale and Seflon as manager* and the Ravels (who wcro heavy loserd by the fire) as reigning stars. Mr Refton wni succeeded in the management by John Brougham May 13, 1850. Madame Anna Thill.m made her American debut September 18, INSI, singing in "The Ciown Diamonds" (its first Ami rican p'rfoimanco in Knglish) ; "The Corsican Brothers," with G. V. Brooke as the Dei Franchi twins, had its first American representation June 8, 1852. Charles Whej>tleigh made his American debut as Doriconrt in " The B-lle's Strategem" Auguot 30, 1852; ditto Henrietta Soutag, of world-wide fame, in Italian opera January 10, 1853, when prices were advanced from 50c to 2dol and Idol. In 1851 the theatre was enlarged and considerably improved. On June 4of the same year Anna Cora Mowatttook bur leave of the stage as Pauline in " The Lad# of Lyons," the house holding GOOOdol— an audience rarely since duplicated in money or in brilliance. Rachel, the French tragedian, playod one week November 12, 18;5. Dan Heed* Equestrian Company filled in the s-pring of ISSB. Mary Devlin (afterwards the / first Mrs Edwin Booth) made her New York debut as Juliet. James W. Collier made his first New York appearance during 1859, and played juvenile leads with the stock people hero fpr five seasous. William Niblo retired from the lesseesbip of Niblo's Gardens May 1801, and A. T Stewart, owner of the property, devoted the summer of that year to beautifying the place and putting in a new stage. The Wollack- Davenport Company reopened January 7, 1802. Fanny Davenport, made her New Yoik debut at E. L. Davenport's bonefit as Charles I in " Faint Hsart Never Won Fair Lady," February 14, 1862. Aug. Daly's version of Leah wa* oiiginally acted by Kate Bateinan, January 19 ; ditto Aurora Floyd (Cli .rles Gnyler's dr.ima»i<-ation of the novel) by Matilda Heron, March 20. Ths first New Yotk representation of "Naicisse," with D. E. Bandmann in the title role, was given September 1, 18G3. Felicia VestvaliC'Thc magniheient ") made her first appearance in English draniaScpteinber29, lß63. Shakespeare's " Ooriolanus," with Edwin Forrest, John M'Uiillough, L. R. Shewell, and J. G. Burnett in the chief r6les, was> fir«t acted at tbi.s house November 2, 1863. Charles Gayler'H "Connie Soog.ih" was first pc formed (and van live weeks) January 11, IS(J4. The first New York representation of " The Fool's Revenge," with Edwin Bouth as Bettuccio the Jester, with the support of Koso Eytinge, Ada Clifton. J. W. Collier, B T. Ringolrl, J. W. Blaisdell, K.B. Holmes, J. Nunan, C. de Forrest, Mary Well?, and Mrs Koeves, \yas given January 11, 18G4. " Arrah na Pogue" (with a nine weeks' inn) was given its first American representation July 12, 1863. Charles M. Barras a spectacle, "Ihe Black Crook," was performed first time on- any stage September 12, 18G6", and had a run of 475 consecutive nights, t'll January 4, 1868, has been several times successfully revived, and is now being played through the States by three different companies. No ballet spectacle before or since "The Black Crook" has placed co many representations to iU credit. It made a fortune for its author and for Wheatley, Jarrett and Palmer, then Niblo's managers. "The White Fawn" followed, ami had an uninterrupted run of 175 nights. These two triumphs gave to Niblo's Gardens its fiist fame as a home of great pictorial productions. Offenbach's ' Baibe Bleue" was sung for the first time iv America on July 20, 18G8. William WheSftley retired from the management of Niblo'a, and was succeeded by Jarratt and Palmer, on August 1, 68. Dominick Murray made his first American debut in a revival of "Arrah na Pogue, pn August 2. 1869. " Little Eni'ly," with Lone Burke in the title role, was first acted in New York on December 20, '69. Charles Fechte and Carlotta Leclerq jointly made their American debut in " Ruy Bias." A benefit to Matilda Heron realised 5390d0l on January 7, 1872. Niblo's Gardens was burned down for thesecond time (the total losses amounting to several hundred thousand dollars) on May C, 1872. The present Niblo's Gardens was rebuilt and rededicated on November 30, 1872. The opening attraction, under Jarrett and Palmers management, was the spectacle " Leo and Lotus, with 123 performances. Lulu, the boy gymnast (then supposed to be a woman), made his Amsncan debut on April 28, 1873. Jarrett and Palmer s lease terminated on May 1, 1874, and C. K. Thome, sen., the next lessee, opened the-house with "The Lady of the Lake" on May 25, 1874. The Thome venture wa« a failure, and 'the Kiralfvs - Omre and Bolos3V — t)ok over^the management, and opened with "Ihe Deluge on September 7, 74. The hou*« closed early in 1875, and remained so till opentd by John M'Coole and Charles E. ("Hans the Boatman") Arnold, with " Baba " (the cast including Eliza Weathersby, first wife of N. C. Goodwin, jun.), on September 18, 1870. Their season closed on December 9. The Kiralfys held control from December 25, 1876, to March 10, 1877. Benson Sherwood was the next manager, and reopened the house with "Anthony and Cleopatra" on April 2, '77. Gardiner and Bache held a lease, at 22,500d0l a year, from March 18, 1878 ; but were ejected for failure to pay rent on August 17, 78. J. H. Haverly and E.

G. GUmore became the managers, and opened witli the Kiralfys' spectacle, "The Enchantment," on March 29, 1579. The Danene Family made theit New York debut on September 29. J. H. Haverley became sole lc-eee and manager on Marvh 29, 188tf. "Tho Black Vonu3" (still being playei in the State?) had its first American representation on January 12, 18S1. J. 11. Haverley >iet- red from the management in 1882, and John F. Poole and E. G Gilmore Btepped iv on August 21 the same year. Fenmlo usheiy were intruducen by Mutineer Comstock during the first week of John P. Smith's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," on January 15, 1893. Tho last performance given in this noted playhouse was *' My Aunt Bridget," by George W. Monro3 and Company, on March 23 of this year. April 29. Dear PaSQUIN,— " Every boy has quarrelled with his first sweetheart," as sung by J»me3 C. Shannon, is a hit. Mark 1 wain's "Pudd'uhead Wilson," dramatised by Frank Mayo, had its initial representation at Proctor's Ojpera House, Hartford, Ct., on April 8, with Mr Mayo in the title role. " He's somebody's darliDg, J know." During a rehearsal of " Olivette" at the Pasedona Opera House, Los Angelos, a stage trap gave way, p-co'pitnting six people into the cellar 30ft below. No one was seriously hurt Oscnr Wilde is the name of " ono of tho smallest and homeliest donkeys ever exhibited before the public" with the Mohawke Valloj Circus. In the sawe fitible are a pair of beautiful Ro'-ky Mountain horses, so nearly matchnd that it ia hard to distinguish one from the other, standing 16 hands li iarb , with white maues and black tails, and a rni'lget black stallion, General, 40iu high. While Lew Hunting, of Hunting's Circus, was doing his trapeze act, the bar of his trapeze broke and precipitated him into the ntt unexpectedly. In the full his band caught one of the hooks at tho cud of the trapeze bar and was lacerated. Signor GAiupabollo. who was out your way with a company about 1884, but came back by tho return boat, is rehearsing his grand opera company, to open shortly in New VTork. The company includes Moreska, Montagriffo, Roaa Linde, and Catnpabello. E. 11. Southern will commence Im annual engagement at tho Lyceum Theatre, New York, on September 1 in a new play written for him by Civ do Fitch. . „ A new extravaganza, " Little Robinson Crusoe, libretto by Harry B. Smith, will be produced shortly at the Schiller Theatre, Chicago. EUUe Fay, comedian, and Marie Dicssler will be the leids. Camille d'Arville has purchased a new comic orora entitled " Hilda," libretto by Henry Gallup Paine, nud music by Thomas Poarsall Thorne. (> " There's a new one coming in the morning. 1 During the Oscar Wilde proceedings in London Oscar's name was removed from programmes and all adveitising matter of the Lyceum Thsatre, N.Y.. while Rose C6ghl«n announced that she "will not asaiu present 'A Woman of No Iniportarcc."' Mrs Kimball and Corrine, tho star of the K'mball Opera Comiquo Company, sail for England in June. Joseph JefFer»on, now on tour with Kip van Wiukl«," last week appeared at Providence, R.1., and more than tested the capacity of the Opera House ; in fact, from all indications ,he would have done so had the houne been as large again. No one was admitted after 7.30 p.m except checkholders, and the locil papers said that nothing was ever seen like it since the house waß built. Alexan ier Salvini played Hnmlc at tho Walnut Slivet Theatre, Philadelphia, Pj., last week, but failed to score a success Although not conventional, his Hamlet is melodramatic and unpoetical, and lacks repose. The effect of the " shaking of his disposition" by the supernatural, though earnestly striven for, seemed to be beyond the actor's leich, and he utterly failed to give that atmosphere of brooding molancholy without whiiih the" whole pisture is har.-h nud unconRobert Mantell is touring with " Tbc Hu3band," and although the play was condemned by the local press it ran to big bufciuess for two weeks at the Park Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. The piece de resistance in the curio hall or a Pittsburg Museum iB "The M»stodom"c Fat Baby, six montjis old, and weighing Mlb. Mr and Mrs Bterbo^m Tree sail for England April 17. They were the lions of Washington during their stay theie, and were the recipients of much attention and hospitality from society Clarence Flemmin?, of Beerbohm Tree's Haymarket Company, v/ill manage the American tour of John Haie, the English comedian, opening m December next. Pauline Markham is playing Old Woman m "Two Coloxels," a four-act pastoral comedy by William Richard Goodall. '' It is an inoffensive play, written by one whose aspirations are in tho "right direction, but who has yet much to learn before he can rightfully claim the title of dramatUt.' 1 . , . „ Uncle Sam, the tattooed marj, who drives spikes with his fist and pulls them out with his teeth, is an attraction at a Chicago museum. William Roberts, an old time circus man, who diel at the Morristown (Pa.) Insane Asylum, April 3, had travelled with the Old London, Burnum'fi, Doris's, Forcpaugh's, and other shows. One of the latest plays is entitled Jack Harkaway, Afloat and ashore." The principal chaiacters ara Jack and Colonel Harkaway, Harvey, the villain Huuston, the African servant Friday, and Professor Mole, who furnishes the comedy. „ „ , G. 11. Snazellc is playing to good houses through Canada. "Eena. Meeaa, Mina, Mo. Unzie, the Circassian youth, who was out to the colonios some few yoara back, now styles himself "The Austra'ian Albino^' " Push it along, it's a good thing, old boy. Madame Adelc Scarsez, mother of Mrs Alexander Hermann, wife of Magician Hermann, died on April 11. . , , , Pauline Hall states that at the close of her season she will make a bicycle tour of Europe, accompanied by her husband (George B. M'l'lellan), Duncan B. Harrison (out in btralia in '92) and wife, William Trevor, and a stenographer. The party are to sail "from New York City. After vißiting London they intend going through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Bohemia. Ilaly, Austria, Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Olga Nethersole returns to the States in October. Before leaving for England Mies Nethersole entered into a contract with Charles and Daniel Frohmau, whereby bhe willbe under their management for a term of yeai-3 both in this country ancl in Europe. The terms of tho co-itract are that Miss Nethersole is to appear in the States for a season of 25 weeks in each year, returning to Europe to fill engagements in the leading cities. John Hare, the actor-manager of London Ourrick Theatre, sails for the States the latter end of November. Clarence IS. Flemmmg, late of Beerbohm Tree's Haymarket Company, will direct Mr Hare's American tour. . Frederick Forbes Robertson, who appeared in New York City in Sardou's " Thermidor. and who for the past three years has been John Hares leading man at London Garrick Theatre, will not come to the States with Mr Hare in November, but will manage London Lyceum Theatre dunnr Mr Irving's American tour next sea»on. Marion lorry will be his leading lady. Mr Robertson opens his season in September with the production ot a new play by Henry Arthur Jones. Caroline Miskell (Mrs Hoyte) will star next season in Charles H. Hoyte's new farce, A Dog in the Manger." . Harry Devere is with Sam Picketts Pam Gaiety Company, now touring Canada. Ten lady barbers in a 9having contest is a feature in the curio hall of a Pittsburgh museum. , „ Pete Baker is playing "Chns and Leona up south. Ci»sy Loftua and husband, Justin Huntly M'Carthy, have gone Home. Sanders, the boy Samson, is 17 years old, weighs 971b, and claims to be able to lift 2501b with his t«eth and over 7001b for a body lift— Yours truly, ■ Mario. The Rialto. .

— Once a year, with great ceremony and unusual pomp, the Emperor of China ploughs a furrow, in order to dignify agriculture in tat eyes of his people.