New-York tribune., 1873-09-15
THE DRAMA.
BALTIMORE HoLLDAY-sT THEATER

BALIlMOhE hOIDlDA1-Sls IhEAlBh.
IuE "oID DRURY" OF AAiERICA--sKETCH OF ITS
HIsTORY-RENnNIsCENCE OF OLD ACTORS.
lFRox An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRBUNE.l
BALTIMORE, Sept. 1O-By the destruction of
the Holday.st Theater tins morning, the oldest and
one the famous theaters In America has passed
away Nearly century ago. at the close OF the Ameri-
Revolution the original theater erected on the
site OF the just burned quaint old chonicer de-
scrbes having the splendOr of great barn. weather
boarded. milk white, with many windows; looking down
upon the street with hospable, patronzing, ragi'
comic air The announcement OF It's completion was
first published Christmas Dav 1884, and on the loth Oh
January 1884, a O'Clock in the afternoon IL was ior
may opened In the presence Of Washington Lafayette
EOchambeau De Grasse and other distinguished freneh
and American officers who had recently arrived In Bal
umore. after the surrender Of Cornwas ut Yorktown.
The play selected was historical tragedy called
King Richard ILL.," followed by farce Miss IN Her
Teens OF the Medley OF Lovers" The prices were as
follows Boxes, dollar; pit, five shiings; gallery
three and uinepence 1t announced that mo per-
son on any prctense, would be allowed behind the
scenes" The theater became popular aud fash-
onablo resort OF the people of Baltimore. Here the
elder jefferson GIFTED audiences, by his gay wit and
melting hupOr; while Bssett Francis and other lesser
lights from time to time appeared on its boards
I'm 1911 tins old wooden tneater which had become too
small for the rapidly increasing population of the city,
was pulled down TO make way for larger and more
complete play house.
In the Spring of 1872 the theater iust destroyed
o,cned with appropriate ceremonies. The managers
we're William Warren, father of the present well-knOwn
comedian of the name, and william Wood author
OF Annals the American Stage" Although the war
with England declared, the theater COM
plete from the beginning. In 1914, when the
British Army flushed with its victory at Badens
burg and capture of Washington threatened Baltimore,
number of the actors then comprising the stock COM
pany volunteered for the defense of the city, and be-
haved with great ganry at the battle of North Point
sept within week after the retreat OF the British
from their unsuccessful! attempt upon Baltimore,
The starSpanged Banner" written by Francis S. Key
,n the night of the 18th of September during the bonn
bardment Of Fort McHenry, set music and sung
10y the DuraBg brothers Wo OF these volunteer actors
IN the stage Of the Holday-st Theater, creating inn
mcnse enthusiasm SO popular did it at once become
that its repetition demanded every night for sew
aral weeks. gave the theater national repu
tation aud the war; all the leading American and
every foreign actor who visited this country appeared
On boards Here John Howard Payne the author Of
Home sweet Home" won the name Of "The Young
Roscus hero the great George Frederick Cooke then
AZ the zenith OF his power. gained fresh aures; here
Edmund Kcan drew the largest audiences which had
ever been seen in Baltimore theater; here the classical
and scholarly Maorcady enchanted the most cultivated
citizens by Gelneations Of shakcspeares most cele
braied heroes; here the elder Booth displayed that
amazing genius which made him the acknowledged head
oi the American sage here Forrest first appeared
star; here Ellen Tree aud Fanny Kemblc, Cooper, the
elder VandeuhoG. Murdoch, Burton, Charles Kean, the
elder WallacL Madame Celeste, Fanny Essler Hackett
aud other famous actors appeared from time time.
Later came Mr Joseph Jefferson, the younger Booth,
owens, Clarke al of whom made their debut hero,
Boucicaut the Williamses and FOrenceS Davenport,
Holland. the younger Warren, Laura Keene, Maggie
Mitchell Ristori, Charlotte Cushman, Matilda Heron,
and host of Others.
After Of successive managers. the 10Th of
August 1861 Mr. John T. Ford assumed the entire
Of the teater and fifteen years later. in 1870 pur-
chased the property for 100000 Under his efficient
management the establishment attained degree Of
popularity and prestige before known in the
tuairca annals of Baltimore. Season after he
presented the best native and foreign talent
sonally varying the dramatic engagements by intro
ducng the Italian, German, French and English opera.
An admirable managerial trait OF Mr. FOrds his
kind and udcious encouragement of young debdnteS,
many whom aitorward attained national reputation.
The thcatcr just destroyed designed by Robert
Carey Long an eminent architect Of this city. In style
II was Djric, with six plasters supporting massive
cornce. The interior admirably arranged and most
asefuy decorated. There three tiers OF boxes,
which, with the balconies, supported great dome. The
stage was deep aud the width.of the wings such
60 afford ample convenience for all the complicated
fixtures and machinery required for scenic display.
There were seats Tor ZOO PERSONS put nor lnlfequehty
1850 have been accommodated within its walls.
The present season. which doomed 10 so sudden
sud disastrous termination, opened on Monday, Aug.
H. Win the spectacular udlld OF me ice NtCh, ana
promised De the most brilliant and profitable II had
.yer experienced. On Monday last, after Dark" was
placed on the boards, and on Tuesday night was again
performed. Thai evening the curtain fe! for the last
lime on the stage OF our Old Drury Tor ess than hVe
hours aftcrward the fire broke out which IN short
Cyced 20 with the ground. Mr. Ford has the sym
pathy OF tho entire community. aud although his loss
as been very heavy he has determined TO rebuild I'M
mcdatey.