Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-06
OITY ITEMS.


walls in the WRig, few years ago, under the caption
"Amusemenis OF Bygone Days" The first chapter, or
number OF the series made up principally OF extracts
from Mr. Mordeca's book, Richmond in By Gone DIys
According the RrGiRsr Of Saturday the author Of
"Recolections Of Richmond sates that the vsry first
dramatic performances in this city occurred in the house
formerly occupied BY old Simon AbIahsms, in tie rear
Of the old county Jail An old diapldsted frame build
ing which believe IL still standing on the hill, near
Main street, jus, beyond the county courthouse, has
been pointed out to US one OF the early temples OF
the dram3 II not the tTs in this city. Mr. hordecAi,
in his interesting work. gives the following account OF
the introduction Of dramatic amusement into Richmond
"A French gentleman named Qlesuey erected a large
wooden ed6ce for An Academy OF Fine Arts, near the
centre of tie square on which now stands the Monu-
mental Church. aud other public and private buldpg1
terprse failed and the extensive square, With the
"A al nv building on it. became the property OF West
an Bignal, or some other English actors, who mar
AGED Theatres in AL Of the Southern States. They
converted the Academy into one and here the tragic and
com muses. f'N bestowed their tears and smes-ln an
ed i,e voted to ,hen-on Richmond su1ienee."
This Theatre maintained its character as the temple
OF for several years. and then met toe late oil
almost all similar es-colhagraton-out without
saster Theatrical performances were afterwards Tin
1901 held in the upper par, Of the Old Market HOUSE,
on Main and l7th streets demolished few years ago,
and Tebuit) and after that in Qlarriers eoaeh-shop,
which stood or Cary and N streets directly opposite
the present Virginia Armory." Temporary Theatres
gave place 10 a feEpiAr Que. n hIB oIlSA
edi6ce was erected in or Cid Academy or Theatre
Square That alas was the OF the most hoIrd
disaster that ever overwhelmed city, where seventy
two persons persisted in the flames on the fatal 2bth De-
ceuiber, 1911, where the Monumental Church now
stands and It's portco covers the tomb and ashes Of
most Of its victims
Alter this dreadful catastrophe there a cessation
Of theatrical amussments until the late Theatre built
It's to- proposed on the 20'h May, 1916, by
Mr. g Holman, an Engishman, who was for SIX years
~ A., fpdn n har If
cz rs - take shares in bis enterprise $500 PER share
aud leaving Mr.. Gliert bs sonnaW ITO organize the
Institution" proceeded London to beat up recruits
for his theatrical corps.
In the month Of November following Mr. Holman
wrote from Charleston to Mr.. Gilter: As follows:
%! have every reason to be satisfied with my vsi, to
Europa have brOugh; over professional talents far
greater than this country has hitherto known and have
made such arrangements Will secure TO the citizens OF
Richmond the certainty Of a decided superiority
every other dramatic scheme on this continent.
Previously my departure for Europe the architect OF
the savannah Taeatre paid visit here, TO examine
this house. and receive nv hints for Improvements. His
model is satisfactory me- aud shalt directly nstruc,
hin to prepare plan for Richmond, on such an extend
cd scale the additional population may render neces
sary. Though | write 10 Savannah for pan
agrseabs 10 the statement have made above, sull
have desired that Mr. Holland will finish What he has so
long been employed on, and forward TO YOU We have
Their the chance Of obAinn; two, from which to
make our selection
NJ Holland referred to in this letter, was Richmond
architect who was engaged 20 fu-tish the plan The
prosecution Of the enterprise delayed by causes not
fuOE remembered and the building was not completed
ll,l The spring Of 1879 priorto which time, Mr. Hol-
nan died while on visit 70 Long Island, y. Y. Mr..
Christopher Tompkins was the contractor and builder
r. l'ert opened the Theatre Friday night, June
Il,h 1879 with the comedy entitled The School OF Re-
'o-n or How to Rule Hcsblud" The price OF admit
An e 10 the box and pit dollar TO the gal
s. r1ftr Of Wei
Non 'av "Wednesday, Friday, aud Saurdty.
Toe ampilsr Of June Ian contained the following
m sion TO he event.
The aew Richmond Theatre was cpsned on Fridy
nigh, by NJ. Gifsrt's company. This handsome edhce
ras erected BY contributors Of individuals. The
decorations Of the anterior distinguished by their
classic design aud elegant execution. The drop
curtain is a pcture Of Rchmoa, supposed TO be drawn
fgom the Armory Hill The house vas well at
ndyd-the company mere than 500, and every ore
,stnad 70 leave tae Theatre, grauhed Win the enter
ri msnt they bad received"
On tn h, Mr. Ccoser made his fret appearance
P ere" IN Venice Preserved" The season closed on
.be All Of August with the comedy Of "Tbe Poor Cen
emu" en- the msl0-drama Of "rimour the Tartar
the cnstom Of the press at this period OF the CT
" history 10 surrender the editorial columns to lengthy
nd generally dscrimiusve crit gass OF iudcous play
.oers On the n Of Osober tue Theatre was reopen
o. tbs occasion Mr. Henry Placlde made his first
pp'ar1nce in Richmond as "Frauk 'Oauaad' During
ne reccss various alterations were made IN the interior
q the Theatre ard the scenery Was renewed and i'm
proved by Hr Cram. o. the IS h, "Nr WAllack from
he Theatre Royal Drury Lane London,' commenced
A engagement. During the following year tls2uD the
-lmptny VI Mr. GlfeftB management, played alter
lyeIg in this CITY and Petersburg 4adames Gilier!,
Wa,a lev and Dfumao ld, and kessrs Prtchard Hsop,
ul,ner Green and Jefferson, father Of the present
comedian OF the Iame, we're members Of the
'ompany
The next m ,naRer, We believe was Mr.. Richardson,
ctz Of Richmond, resPec;ably connected who under,
took 10 ccnduc the Adjustment, ia 1927, after il had
)e closed three years. Miss Cilra Fisher vas
Ne prominent "star and her acting spoken Of ss
"E.ls short Of a miracle During Mr. Richardson's
term there was constant ssion i.stars OF the
hr,t magnitude including M. Hambiu, Mr.. Cooper,
u. AID Mrs Sl1mln, Mrs. kliRht and Mrs Hi,son.
NJ willard succeeded III. r and opened on the I'd
october 1880 With the "Houey Moon o. the ll.b,
N. Hean from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, made
b 6nt appearance, having been engaged Tor four
nj ;lts, 1T an enormous expense" Mr.. Hackett,
) ,ot enc celebrated Amercah fragsdian, aud Herr
ar the great rope dancer, among the cards OF
- s. as,n Iu sSl Mr.. Z. Forrest made bis FIST ap'
pelrance in Richmond.
H. W. Preston was the next manager, II we mistake
not he opened in November 1881. Me-. j. Booth,
Adams NJ. and Mira. Flynn, the prize pal stars
,, hi. SEASON ~ 5. Phillips conducted brisi season
IN 4 e winter OF lS32-3 and Mr.. Hamblin in 1884 -
NJ r. eston tried bis hSnd' again in 1861 Ou the
7 b Of January 33, Mise Josephine Clifton made her
is, appearance in this city "Bi4ncl" in the tragedy
o. "Fazio" which was presented in Richmond for tie
4rst time, on that evening. NJ. 0yey Mr.. and Miss
oofer Miss Grove and Mr.. Poser the Irish comedian,
Eere the stars Of the season Mr. Preston again the
manager 10 1875 sud introduced among Others the
ider Vsnderhoh Yankee Hill" and Mr.. sHd Mrs &c.
Toaes Mr. JOces vas the lessee Of the Theatre in 49,
,ai undoubtedly did much revive the trsni in this
itv He gave The name Of marshall Theatre" TO the
Establishment, and caused It TO be spenddly fitted up.
I bis purpose 20 cultivate the purity OF dra-
nlc literature and urged the public Ito sustain him 10
rushing Instantly any sndeavor within the walls OF the
establishment on CT the STAGE to njure or II suit
he feelings Of the audience" A new sllegorical drop
,urttu, with Shakespeare the central figure paint
"A by Florentns artists which in design more APP
pro pirate impressive than any which hos succeeded IL.
Da the lltL February 1889, the Ldy Of Lyons rai
1,rrormed for the fret time 10 Virgins, Mira Jones
psrsonsting "Pluile, sud M Jones Claude Among
/ L. = n.