New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-02

'o8.
Judge, with that courteous air which ever
marks his demeanor. "The gas company
owned the lot and advanced money to pay
the workmen. Gait, Pike, Jamison and
Msckintosh assisted; but Sol Smith said the
theatre never would have been rebuilt had
it not been for the kindness Of Mr.. Patrick
Irwin. Irwin has been solid friend to the
theatre from tho first, though he never goes
into it. The new St. Charles Theatre. the
present building, was opened January 1S,
1843, having been built in about two
months time. The company was good
one, and in that spring season Wsllack,
Vandenhoff and poor Joe Field played -
stars. The fall season commenced Novem-
ber Is, ls43, with the 'Hunchback; Then
came Brougham, Placide and others. Ole
Bull performed ono night that winter and
fiddled $1,000 into the house. 1t was in that
season at the St. Charles that w. c. Ma
cready made his first appearance in New
Orleans, February 7, 1874. He played
Hamlet"
"Whst sort of an actor was Macready,
any way9" said the Major.
HE was tho best Hamlet I ever saw, dig
nified and scholarly, but . little too stiff for
the boys. Forrest played the star engage
ment following Macready. The next sear
son was bad ono for the theatre. They
had j. r. Anderson, tho Seguin Opera
Troupe, q good company and good stars,
but lost money. Sol told mo the receipts
for the first week were only $l4o0, and st
the end Of seven weeks he had to get money
from St. Louis to pay the company"
"That 10 tho way DeBar does now"
broke in tho Major.
The season ending in 1886 was better.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Kean had played .
long and successful engagement. The At
fractions for tho season commencing in the
fall Of 1876 were good. I remember Julius
Cesar played with ]. w. Wallack. and the
younger Wallack and wife - stock in the
cast E. L. Davenport and Mrs. Mowatt
played that winter also, the Ravel Troupe
and the Keans again. Tho sensation Of
lS47 was tho appearance Of the Viennoise
children. They danced thirty nights, to q
business averaging $500 per night. Julia
Dean and Nine. Anna Bishop came that
year, hacready and Dan Marble. The com
pany was first class, having George Van
denhoff, Ryder and Melinda Jones in lead
| ing business. Hackett was then playing
Rip Van Winkle' - an afterpiece."
"When did P. G.. como inf" irreverently
inquired the N ajor.
"Mr. Patrick Gleason" said the Judge
with crushing elegance, "came to the St
l849, and he was made full treasurer in
1857. He il here to-day, God bless him.
selling reserved seats for the last perform
ance. he il one of the few treasurers who
handles tho money and counts the tickets
against himself. He is - honest - the
days are long, and never was q politician >
The Msjor showed signs of uneasiness
thinking how rare such men are, and he
suddenly ejaculsted:
Let us drink to the health of P. g., the
honest man and gentleman"
Tho Judge smiled again and continued:
"The next season commenced November
10, lS49, and Mr.. Ben DeBar was stage
manager for Smith and Ludlow, commenc G.
ing . managerial career which he continued
for q quarter of = century. Marx Smith
then . boy, made his first appearance,
November IL, ls49, playing Diggory, in q
farce. He afterward became one Of the
best personators of English comedy old
men ON the American stage. Charlotte
Cushman and c. w. Couldock played TO-
gether that year. They acted one month
to crowded houses. November IL, 1850,
the next season commenced with . new
comedy called the Millionaire Julia Dean
and Charlotte Cushman came. Marx
Smith, who had been acting ut tho Mobile
Theatre, was brought over to play Sir
Peter Ieasel and Harcourt Courtley with
Miss Cushman. It was then he commenced
the line of old men, in which he became 90
popular. That season, the famous Jenny
Lind appeared at the theatre, with grand
orchestra, led by Benedict, of London.
Never before or since has there been such
q theatrical excitement. Seats sold at
auction for $40 and $50 each. The re.
ceipts for the first Dight netted about
$4,000. Jenny Lind gave thirteen con-
certe, and the receipts Of each night never
fell short of $4,000"
Business has fallen of considerably
sincc," put in the Major.
20, yes, considerably" answered the
Judge, without smiling. "The Bateman
children came after Jenny Lind. and then
the Celestine troupe of dancers. The Raw
els closed the season, playing thirty nights
to big houses. The next season was opened
November l, 1851, with good stock COM
pany, including H. A. Perry, Marx Smith,
Mr.. and Mrs. Sloan and others. The stars
were George Barrett, Eliza Logan, Celeste,
Mrs. Barrow, Neafie and Jean n. Daven-
port. Professor Anderson, the wizard, had
$1,000 house. The Ravels again closed
the season, playing IN engagement Of forty
six nights. November 6, 1852. another sea.
son commenced with She Stoops to Con.
quer.' The first star was the Elder Booth,
who had returned from Californea, and he
played ct the St. Charles six nights. This
great actor played in that theatre Novem-
Der l9, 1852, Sir Ed,card Mortimer in the
Iron Chest and it was his last appearance
on any stage. He took passage on the
steamer j. w. Chenoworth, and died on