The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-11

.Wives "a they We're and Maids a. they Are
and che Lady and The Devilo Mr.. Pelby was
manager The principal members Of the corps
were Messrs. Herbert, Blake, j. Mills Bro vn,
Forbes, Reed and Webb, and Me-dames
Young, Blake and Brewster. The old
house, not being disposed to yield place
- the new one, opened the campaign
with great vigor, and with FIRST class COM
pany 1t was probably the best company ever
assembled in Boston. Among the gentlemen
were Andrews, Walton. Tom Flynn, Bernard,
PAN, Kitner Charnork, Clarke. and KING; and
among the ladies' were Mrs G. Young, Mrs.
Finn, Miss C. Mcbride, "old Mrs. Barnes" Mrs.
Pspanti, and Miss Clarke The stars OF the
searon were OF great brightness: Cooper, For
rest, Hackstt, Duff, Blake, Barnes, and Horn
were Of the constellation, a. also were Miss
Rock. Mrs. Bike, Clara Fisher, Mrs. Sloman,
aaa Mrs Dun. Forrest and Cooper, and Hackett
and Barnes, appeared in support Of one another.
There were French dancers, aud various other
attractions. There never WAS more talent In
Boston theatre, and probably there never will
be again. Yet the season proved failure.
The city was unequal to the support OF two
gsod theatres. There were considerable changes
made in the companies Of the two establish
menss, members going from one to the other
with great readiness. Pelbs swsmped the Ire
mont, as be did pretty much every thing else
that he was concerned in. He was unit to be
: manager, and the place was taken from him
In 1928. An association was formed to conduct
the concern, aud ]. B. Booth was made acting
manager. On the LIST OF September, 1928, the
fremont was opened with very fine company,
Miss Hamilton taking the leading female parts.
Alexander Wilson assisted Mr.. Booth. Conner
and Ostinell were in the musical department.
HesEeurs w. H. Smith, Thos. Archer, Hyatt and
Tbayer were ofthe company. as were Mrs. G. Bar
rest Miss Riddle, afterwards Mrs. W. H. Smith
Mr.. Pelby and daughter, and Mrs. Papanti.
Among the stars of the season were Mr. Hamblin,
Miss Lane, Miss Rock, and Mrs. Duff. Booth
did not remain throughout the season, and was
succeeded by that mad wag, Joe COwell. The
rivalry Of the two houses continued, and the old
reduced prices. Many stars appeared there
Cooper, Wallack Clara Fisher, Mrs. Duff. and
Oabers. Forrest appeared Mt the fremont for
the first time on the 18th of November, 1923,
- Hamlet" Hyatt, the beat low comedian
ever saw, excepting, perhaps, Joe Cowell, was
> great card at the fremont. Celeste showed
her legs TO Boston audience for the first time
In 1S28-9. This season was brilliant one, but
the managing committee lost s27, 900. The
two houses were then united. the management
Of the fremont leasing the old one, and keep
ing it ehut.
Having got these dramatic Capulets and
nontaeues united, I must be little more
brief. Mr.. Wilson was manager, and he had Q
splendid company in 1829-3O. "Metamora" was
brought out IL 1880. The main attractions of
the season were genuine old English comedies,
to perform which the company was peculiarly
adapted. The profits were $4,000, the rent
bling not much more than nominal. The
Federal Street ives opened as summer theatre,
by DinnefOrd. who brought ont "El Hyder."
Mr.. R Russell took the fremont in 1S30.31,
and was followed by George w. Barrett. Mas
ter Burke appeared uuder each of these gentle
men. The attempt to mob Mr.. Anderson
occurred under Mr. Barrett's reign. "The
Gladiator" was brought out November 4th,
1881. Mr.. Sinclair appeared. aud Frederick 8.
Hill played several first class characters in
both tragedy and comedy. He was q splendid
fellow, but ruined by the infirmities Of genius.
ought to have previously mentioned that John
r. Gilbert, an admirable actor and an excellent
man, and born and bred Bostonian, made his
dttut in the part Of Jaflier, November %,
1929 MIR. Wilson play ing Pierre, and Mrs.
Duff Belvidera.
Thomas Barry assumed. the management of
the fremont in 1888, and proved the most
popular aud efficient chief that the establish
ment ever bad. He laid out large sum in re-
pairing the house. which was opened on the I'd
Of September. Fanny Kemhle and her father
appeared on the 4th. They played about four
weeks, and were succeeded by Tyrone Power,
who was followed by the Woods. The latter
appeared several times ut the fremont, aud
were always popular, until their engagement IN
1886. Their last appearance. in '36, wa.
regular dramatic ovation, or rather triumph
the premiums on the sales of the boxes rea.hing
to $4,000; and night or two after | saw James
Nallack play some of his best characters to
empty boxes. The Woods were unsuccessful
some years later on their return here. Sheri-
dan Knowles, Fanny Jarwsn, Cooper, Yankee
Hill, Emms(W heatley, Miss Watson and Clara
Fisher we're among the stars Of l834'5. The
Barretts and John Gilbert returned to the
sAeatree. Mathews appeared eight times. &C.
leste played . profitable engagement Charlotte
Cushman made her first appearance on the 9Th
Of April, 1885 as the Countess, in the (" Mar
riage Of Figaro" Clara Fisher play ing Susanna.
The three ears ending with the close of the
fremont, in 1888, were probably the worst
days of that house, 80 far a. good acting was
concerned The Tiernans played with great
success. Jack Reeve drew good houses, and 20
did J. s. Ball. "Old Dowton," when past
% far az ihe quality OF bis aud ences was con-
ceIred, but the profits were not great Miss
Clifton was more fortunate the next season.
The company of 1836-'37 was o capital
enc it contained the Bsrretts the Gilberts,
Kiiner. the Hielda, the Muzsys and others.
Mr.. Murdoch was engaged Nh one Of the stock,
and became popular at once. The host sue
ceesful star was Ellen Tree, ~ho nrst appeared
February 20. 1887, and played for five weeks
The audiences that attended her performances
we're the most elega t that ever assembled in .
Boston theatre. ! remember noting, on one
occasion, that in the crowded first tier of boxes
there were but seventeen men, all the other
feats being occupied by women. Those days
Tor mighty appear now like something that one
has seen in pleasant dream MISS Tree re-
turned TO Bo-ton in November, 81, and was
equally popular as before In 1888, owing to
the miserable manner in which she was sup
ported. Miss Tree was less successful. The
Ke.iey's were here twice, tut on neither ocoa.
tiOU we're they popular, though their acting
was Of the most exquisite excellence At their
second gasement-in the spring Of ~
they played to most miserable houses Mrs.
WATSON and Mrs Bailey came. and failed CON-
p etely. They sang in a manner that ought to
have b, Ouobt anpels down hnt they could not