The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-20
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OF Garrick. can remember a score Of
capital performers who once played in this
city, who now only awaken the hackneyed
exclamation, las poor Yorck!" Among
these were the elder Booth, llarrey Placide,
Abbott, Fisher, and also Gates, who was
noted as man of numor. Then came
Yankee Hill, who did down east elite so
admirably, also lIaokett, the noted Fall
staff, Charles Kean and his gifted wife, for.
merly Ellen Tree, and others Of equal note,
who only Dwell in the memory.
THEATRICAL NOTES.
The papers have announced the sale by
the sheriff of the Park theatre, but it should
be understood that the real estate was 10,
included, the sale being merely the lease
and the properties of the stage. This I'M
lucky Park theatre is the second of the
name. The first, which was the historic
Park theatre, was situated in Park Row,
opposite the new postoffice. 1t was built
shortly before the beginning of the present
century, and was then called the "new
theatre to distinguish it from the old thea
tire in John street, which Washington at
tended, and where Hail Columbia was first
sung. The new theatre was suhseQuel tly
called the Park, and was distinguished by
Among these was Cooper, who stood well
in tragedy, and was the first American who
was above mediocrity Here, too, in 1926,
Edwin Forrest made his first appearance
in this city. Among foreign tragedians the
most noted was George Frederick Cooke,
Ellen Tree, afterwards Mrs. Charles Kcan,
Tom Ilamblin, Macready, old Booth and
Charles Kean. Among comedians Tyrone
Power and Harry placide may be men
toned. On these boards Fanny Elser
first was first greeted by an American au-
dience. Like the last mentioned Park
theatre it never was success and its early
mana gers, Stephen Price and Edward Simp.
son, died poor. Tom Hambin was its man
ager at the time Of its destruction, which
occurred in December, 1913. The fire
broke out just before the time of opening.
and in three hours the theatre was IN ruin.
The exterior of the building was graced by
a statue of Shakespeare. which was un-
touched by the flames, and stood for months
in melancholy solitude The next building
on that plat was a block of stores, and
thus the old Park theatre passed away
forever. All of its managers and players
are now dead, and it is only remembered
by the senior class Of citizens. The Park
witnessed the lowest reach of dramatic ad-
verstv. This was in 1912, when times
were very hard, and rs consequence mat
tiers of taste were neglected. At this time
Louis Fitzgerald Tasistro, then 4 well
known amateur, appeared in the role of
Othello, and but one ticket was sold to the
boxes. The money was returned to the
solitary visitor, and the play was postpon-
ed. Such an instance as this never occurred
before or since.
OWNERSHIP.
The last Park theatre is said 20 lie the
property of A, T. Stewart, but the first was
owned by John Jacob Astor, who also own
ed the Bowcry-these being then the two
largest theatres in the city. Astor was very
fond Of theatrical shows, and often attended
the Park, and the latter was burned the
same year the Old man died. As he was
n member of the Lutheran church, it
might have seemed inconsistent 10 pcrmi;
in his theatre the ihiId tier and the punch
room, hich were plHccS Of ;,bominablc re-
Sort bat Astor was not man to stand at
trifles. The Park was the scene Of much
that was horrible as well as much that was
beautiful. The fourth tier or gallery was
open to the colored people, aud also To
whites, being divided into two sections for
this purpose The admission was quar-
ter dollar, and hence it was well filled.
At the time the Park was burned it was, as
have said, under the management of Tom
uamblin, who had undertaken to revive
the old theatre, and was in the inception of
u prosperous season when the final catas-
trophe took place.
AN OLD PLAY BILL.
The bills of the ''ncw theatre" afford
AZ n; &
gotten. Look ing over the records of that
timeQ799)when this and the theatre in Phil
adelphia were the only commodious play
houses in America, find among the per-
formanccs the Siege OF Belgrade The
School for Daughters Sternes Maria
The Natural Daughter or old Sins With
New Faces All the Worlds a Stage
The Stranger, etc., etc. The last is the
only one of the record that lives, though it
is not often brought forward On the 18th
of June, 1899, was performed the Battle
of Bunker Hill. The American officers
personated were Warren, Prescott and Put
nam the players being Barrett. Iallam,
Junior, and Bates. The British officers
were Gage, Howe, Percy and Abercombie,
who were represented by jefferson. Hall
man, senior, IIogg and Martin. OF these
names, only that of Jefferson holds a place
in modern comedy. One Of the stars of the
new theatre was Cooper. VINO married Miss
Fairlie, once belle of this city. She was
much admired by Washington Irving, ana
her letters are published in his memoirs.
Many years afterwards he assisted in get
ting Il West Point appointment for her son,
and thus showed the strength of his old
friendship. The ''new theatre got TO tie
sold" long before it burned down. II stood
just half century, which is a long time in
city ike this, where population during
this interval increased from $4,000 TO Il
half million.
GLANCE AT THE OLD uMFs.
The play bills OF the "New Theatre |
find in file of old papers which suggests
many associations. Among those who might
have attended the performance were such
men as Hamilton, Burr, Gen. Gates, Coz.
Willett and other historic names. Wash
ington Irving was theatrical amateur, and
was then at the age of sixteen fast getting
ready to study law. One theatre was all
that the city could support, ami the play
ers were no doubt poorly paid. The only
memorial of the New Theatre or Park,
whichever term may be used, is the lahe
| which connects Beckman and Ann streets,
and which is still called "Tbeatie Alley
Here the park performers were seen eN-
cry night going or returning from Tue rear
entrance of the theatre AL present
place for the delivery of goods and mer-
rhandse has taken the place of Of the
Thespian crowd, without any regrets from
TuE HERMIT IN NEw YoEK.
August Flowers.