New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-06
NEW ORLEANS ARTISTS.
Professional Biographical sketches.

To satisfy that curiosity which is ever felt
by the public to know something of the peo-
pie who so often cause their tears and
laughter, we have obtained the professional
histories of the principal artists now con-
nected with our different theatres, and shall
from time to tine devote portion of our
columns in imparting to our readers what
We learned. Commencing with the Earie
ties Theatre, we shall first notice
Mr.. AUGUSTUS PIToU,
The present leading heavy man of that es-
tablishment, who made his first appearance
on the stage at the Winter Garden Theatre.
New York, then under the management of
Messrs. Edwin Booth and William Stuart,
IN the spring of 1867, in the character of
the Priest, in Hamlet" Mr.. Booth playing
the leading role. On Saturday Of the same
week, the theatre was entirely destroyed by
fire. thus ending his engagement, after his
having played but one part. Undismayed
by what many would have considered a bad
omen, he applied for and obtained an en-
gagemcnt at the Walnut Street Theatre,
Philadelphia, for what is known among pro-
fessioIais as general utility the lowest
rung OF the dramic ladder. Here lie
remained for TWO seasons, and
half, playing with all :he grea:
stars and making rapid progress in his art
When Edwin Booth visited the Walnut"
to play star engagement, he offered MT.
Pitou an engagement at his new theatre in
New York, which lie accepted. appearing
there on the opening night in the character
of the Prince in Romeo and Juliet
During the three years lie remained at
Booths be steadily advanced in public
favor, playing such parts as Eoratio, in
Hamlet" Hing Louis NIII, in Richie
leu Prince M02colm, IN Macbeth :"
F'ori-e!, IN Winters Tale" etc. Since his
advent among us Mr.. Pitou has, by his ar
tistic and intelligent impersonation of many
difficult leading characters, made himself a
great favorite with the freGuenters of the
Varieties
His performances Of Joch Benedict, in
Saratoga - Captain LyrGe. in Divorce" :"
Noratio, IN "Hanlet:'' De BQirodas, in
Riche!ieu;'' Gcorgc BraaGon III The Man
o Airlie;' Colonel Jfcy, in "Rosedale -
FauiAl0nd, in The Rivals" and Francis
De Moor, N The Robbers" have shown
that lie possesses dramatic talent of the
highest order-talent that will win for him,
some day, al enviable position in lis pro-
tession.
Mr.. GEORGE HOLLAND,
Of the same establishment, is the eldest
son OF the late George Holland, the veteran
comedian, wLo. as our readers VII reco-
lect. was buried from the Little Church
Around the Corner" little over year
ago. Young Mr.. Holland, las. since his
first appearance at the Varieties. steadily
increased in public favor, and bids fair 10 be-
come. il time. as great favori-e with the
present generation Of theatre goers as his
father was before him Indeed. MANY Of his
persora;ions this season have vividly
brought TO the minds OF our old theatre
patrons the performances Of lis father
IN similar characters. THIS has been
particularly noticeable IN Mr. Hollands
renditiors Of Dismal. in Married Life"
.Sto1u, in Money! ana as Dotid,
IN the Rivals" Mr.. Holland is al
wavs excellent and artistic in lis i,nper-
sonatiOns, never being mediocre. even in
small pats. and always makes his
performances interesting by correctly
assimilating the character represented.
There is another excellent feature in
his acting that is worthy Of our
greatest praise: We refer 10 what is pro
fessionally called make up meaning the
manner in which tie face. as well Is the
costume worn, is made to closely represent
the character portrayed. In this respect
his accurate attention TO detail j. admirable.
and III glt well be initiated by many ac.o,s
Of much greater preteusiOns.
Mr.. Hollands fore seeLs 20 be repre-
sentiEg comic old mer. Those Of our read-
ers WHO witnessed the comedy OF Sara
toga" at tie Varieties viii recol!ec- lis a9-
mirable performance Of on V.hotree. 1t
was not Only one OF the best played and
best dressed characters in The piece. hut
was al artistic de!;neation Of tie highest
order. We do lot hesitate TO prophesy that
il Mr.. Holland should cont;ne himself 70 The
POTLId Ndl OI 'OIu E-tu d lew wears VIII
place lin among the very best actors in
that line Of business On tne American stage.
JOHN HOWSOy, COMEDIAN.
In giving some account OF me care e. Of
the subject of this sketch we 60 not mo-
pose, as is often the case il biographical
literature, 70 chronicle lis first IL tantile
lispings that were the vremonisoTy iGd;ca-
.ions Of his TLespian destiny, but W ii CON
tent ourselves (and spare oGr readers) by
remal king that he is Of a -hitd genera ten.
whose lives have been devoted 10 musical
and dramatic art, being the second son Of
-he late Mr.. Frank Howson, who, after
professional life extending over thirty years
as an English opera singer and cGm edian
Ia rare ccmbnation) ended his Gays at
Omaha, Nebraska. in September, 1863
Mr. john Howsons advent on the Ameri-
can stage. with the members OF his family,
took place at San Francisco, California, in
1866, making his first impression upon the
public as a burlesque actor and eccentric
comedian. During an engagement under
the management OF Messrs. Edwards, Bates
and Ninson, commencing November, 1867,
Charles Wheatleigh, Miss
Emehe Melville, Mrs. D. 2. Bowers and
c,ters, he rose RAPIDLY into favor, his pcr-
travail Of several original characters cstab-
fishing him. aeyond dispute as pcsstssing