The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-28
TIE DRAMA I'M NEW YORK.
THE ERRClieH OF TWO AEw falAyRES
DessriPtssn Of the opera usae, Feurteenth
Street,
THEllRIcAL AND nvsleAL CessIP.

Ibe history Of the rise and progress Of the drAms
IN The city Of New York would make q most inte-
resting volume. In no part Of the civilized world
has the dramatic profession received more consi /
erssaon, support and encouragement, tan on this
samc iAlaDd OF MAnhsttAn. Our aud eaces are geae-
rcos, but just ard no artist considers hts reputation
gained until his efforts have received their sanction
ard approval.
Although there were several places whsre theatri
cal entertainments were given previous to the Revo.
luton, yet the existence Of the legitimate drama
Gates nom when the Park theatse was erected. For
Deasly half estury the Park was recognized as
the leading theatre Of the United States, msnooox e
ing all the "stars," and, ia Consequence,
attracted the best audiences. Here Edmund
Kean, George Frederick Cooke, Cooper. the
elder Vandenho6 Charlotte Cushman. Mrs.
Wood, Fanny Kemble, Charles Kembe,
Ellen Tree, Macready, and host Of lesser lights,
performed the actors office TO hold the mirror no
70 nature, and show the very age and body the
time, his form and pressure" Hero we had such
stock actors as Wheatley and John Fisher. Macy
OF these names. 80 dear to the remembrance of
ancient theatie-gcers. have beea missed from the
rli of the hviDg-others have retired. The theatre
itself is thing Of the past.
No one theatre can now claim the position held
by the Park, because, where there Is much excel
leDce, it would be hard to award the palm Of supe-
riority. Each manager caters for the taste OF his
audience, and the success OF Messrs. Barton sad
wallack has given severe blow to the star 81 ysteu
While the number Of theatres has Increased. the
stock companies have improved, the actors are
better paid, popular prjud,ces against them are
melting away, and the members Of the theatrical
fac< II ~
society to which they are fairly entitled. The favor
with which thy are regarded BY the public has
bad good effect. and the recklessness, tmprovi-
dence and dissipation Of which portion Of the
profession was once guilty, and BY which the stage
was disgracsd in public estimation are things Of the
past.
Since the destruction Of the Park, the Broadway
theatre, Walsck's theatre, and the Astor Place
Opera House have been erected. The last named
house proved TO DO an unlucky affair, for reasons
very we'll known to the public. Tne Broadway
theatre was opened 10 eighteen hundred forty
seven, and since that time has been the "star"
theatre Of the city, although very large portion OF
the public favor Burtons and Wallaok's where the
money which, under the star system, would 90 into
the pocket of one person, Ia distributed in heavy
salaries, paid to fstrate actors. The last two sea
sons have been singularly profitable to the managers
anf the next bids fair to bo still more brilliant.
hrst class tflratrU hss kss~ Rass1Sy ax
near Bond street, and new opera house on Four.
teenth street No pains or exoense have been spared
to make the New York theatre worthy OF Its second
title. "thc Metropolitan" and tho new opera house
win bea splendid affair.
The amount Of capital invested In theatres In
New York is enormous, and may DO reckoned in
round numbers, as follows:--