The New York herald., 1862-01-06
THE LATE RICHMOND THEATRE-ITs EARLY
HISTORY.
rrrom the Richmond Disuatch lana

From the hlcnnOnd Dispatch, Jan. D.
Our readers are already that tho theatre was
burned to the ground on New Years night. IT'S prede
.ssor which stood whore tho Monumental chWch now
stands burned ALSO with great loss Of life, the
night Of the 26h December, 1871 hfiy years and one
We looked into Mr. Mordecais book to and out when
there Our impression is that it completed at least
the year 1915 and that it opened during the win
oil 1sIs-19 for tho first time. The arst play
In that house, In November, 1920. We rsceect
this hour the eject 1t produced upon u.s. and
feaipg as we then felt The play was virgnius Tbs prn
cpa character sustained by Finn whether the After
wardsfamos comedian and punster who lost at
do not know. Mrs waring-one of the placides--uow
Mrs. W. r. Blake, played Virginia, and actor named
Nichols played Icus II Is difficult for 10 resiizc
this distance Of time tho emotions OF that evening To
the theatre gorgeous palace the scenery supers
human, its movements the eject ~ magic The actors
were tho grandet characters whom was possible 10
conceive and the the beautiful creatures
earth. The farce " High Life Below stairs - and
Hilson played the part Of ths master who has been
cheated by his servants and disguses himself
try boy seeking service in order to detect them. Harry
Pscde in the piece and several other actors who
reality. We believe We half exhausted our power Of
laughing that night; for We never hsve been able
to laugh as we aid then from that time to this.
danced in the box until We attracted the attention OF
everybody in the house We leaned over - though
,hs, time and we believe hs opened tbs house There
such thing as starring then and when manager
got good company u generally stAii with him for con-
may lie Judged from the names have already record
Cd in 1871 Booth came over and played in that theatre
"Od Drury" has Undergone many vicssitudss since
that time has had many mansgsrs, and We are afraid
few OF hsm made money some Of the best players and
the bess vocasts known in the werd have played
and sung upon its boards Its history might be made
very interesting but Is gone, and We Ioot back with
Of rosmsr days with which il is connected.
lYrom the Richmond Examiner, Jan. 2l
When the theatre was nrst erected, IN 1919, It Was
opened under the management Of the celebrated Charles
Gert with powerful psdramHque and he continued
10 occupy IL for several years After he ceased his
psncy casually rented ~ intervals, until about
the drama and continued to perform In the Marshall
theatre, be desgnated II, until some time in 1882
when he suddenly left in disgust and j. was conducted
behalf Of Jones' company, by j. a. Lambert, comic
actor ef rsst cslebriy afterwards OF the Haymarket
Garden London The theatre nsxt fell into hands Of
John g. Potter. william r. Blake succeeded him. and no
was succeeded by Mr.. wi iam L. Maue. Mr.. John Sef-
ton believe, next had tour Of management and re.
tired, did the others in disgust The last managers,
Professor Hewitt who has been turned out BY the Fire
King, whose energetic performances have caused
tire change in The programme OF winter smussmsnis a.
The author Of 'Recoections Of Richmond states that
the very frat dramatic performance IN the city occurred
In the house formerly occupied by old Simon Abrahams
in the OF the old county Jail then called Rosos Brig
IN 1902 theatrical performances were held In the upper
part Of the old market house. Of Main and Seven
teehtb streets Temporary places were occupied ti
1911 when the burning OF the eddce then used gave
dsmper theasrcals from which II took many years TO
relisvs The present theatre succeeded that one. IL
has gone the same way.
In closing our dcsutory remarks may remark that
some of the modern and singers have dis
ported themselves It's boards When dying-it seems
but months since-the comedian, Burton played
farewell engagement in IT, which proved his fsreweilsure
enough for In two weeks after lea, ing this city Toodes
was under ground In Greenwood Cemetery. Fanny
Eslsr, Celeste, Maibrsn, Jenny Lind, Colson, Brisnc
Charles Kssn, Ellen Tree, Macready Booth, Cooke, Fr
rest Anderson d id ons ccus have gathered in the dol
lars In the house that the clog Fort" saw tin last u
Wednesday night