The Daily state register. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1870-1872, 1871-01-01
OLDEST AMERICAN THEATRE,

- 'rrv-sr-----s-- i
OLDEST AMERICAN THEATRE.
The Walnut-street Theatre where |
Edwin Forrest, just fifty years ago,
made his first public appearance on |
the stage, is the oldest theatre in |
this country. The destruction OF
the old Park Theatre in New York, /!
and the Chestnut in Philadelphia,
leave the Walnut alone on classic
ground. Along the dark little alley
at the back, nearly all the great ac-
tors and actresses Of the century have
hurried az night to dazzle and de-
light thousands of ewes long since
closed forever. The Walnut was
built in 1902 tsixty-eight years ago),
by two Frenchmen, Peppin and
Broshard. After many changes in
pr,-rietorship. it was purchased in
II kby J. :. Clarke and Edwin
i for 100000. They remod-
e interior and the stage. spen-
60, 900 in various improve
Old playbills are a curious study.
Those of the Walnut are of dramatic
interest. Ii was on this stage that
Edmund kean made his first appear
ance in Philapelphia, on November
30th. 1890. three days after Forrest
made his first debut ID a boy TRACE
dian, His great rival. Junins Brutus
Booth, first appeared in Philadelphia
at the Walnut, February 2Sth. 1928,
and w. b. Wood says his genius was
first acknowledged when he appeared
as Hamlet. Mrs John nrew's debut
in America was 1T the Walnut, Sep.
tember 2Gth, 1897. She was then
Miss Louisa Lane, and played tie
Duke OF York 10 Booths Richard.
Here the great Rachel gave her only
performance in Philadelphia, No
vember 10Th, 1856. The theatre was
cold: Rachel was clad III classic cos
tune. and on the stage OF the Walnut
it is thought she caught the cold
which finally caused her death.
Fanny kemble male her debut il
this city here as Blanca. October 18th
1882; aad here Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Kean took their farewell of Phila
delphi., March 18th, 1866 Tyrons
Power. the first of Irish comedians
whose praises are still sounded IL
our ears, first appeared in this city
Septtmber 18th 1888; aal Charles
Kemble, October 10th 1s.is, made In.
bow to the Philadelphia public a:
Hamlet. VIVA. a list Of illustrioui
names. But there are many mor'
connected with the old Walnut
Cooper, Fanny Ellsler, Adams, tn
Seguins, the elder Walieck. Burton
Charlotte Cushman, Hacke;t, Mis-
Jane Davenport NOV AIrs. Lander)
oil trod its stage. 1t was at tn
Walnut that j. Il. Murdock playe,
his first star engagement in Phila
delphia, and Edwin Booth playe'
his first star engagement in 1856
Gustavus v. Brooke. the iil-fate,
tragedian, whose last act Of "Othel
10" is said to have been uneGualled
first appeared there in January, lS5.
There rs. Charlie first appeared a
- q star I'm Philadelphia, in 1864
Vouccieault first played there i
4 eril, 1854. These are but some (
: names on the old piaybills. Br
Nv many recollections Of nights (
'mirth, OF nights of solemn TRACED
may they awakenl The history (
the Walnut would be almost I'll
theatrical history OF the centur,
1t is pity that some one cam,
fully preserve those reminiscenc,
of the theatre, those anecdotes Of I'll
green-room, which. if uncollectc
must soon be lost in the limbo of 4
moon, to which Ariosto Says all sue
evanescent memories are consigne,
i Figaro.