The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-27


Fever.
Special Correspondence OF the Star,
BROOKLYN, n. v, Oct. 23d, 1879.
1t was not a great number of years
ago, for even I can remember the time,
and the silver threads are only Just be-
ginning to adorn my temples when there
was not single theatre in all Brooklyn.
In those days the Athe '@um, which still
stands, was the nearest approach to Il
playhouse. Then was built our splendid
academy of Music, but it was for a long
time run on such Puritanical basis that
nothing savoring of scantyattire was per-
mitted to appear upon its boards.
Then came the Park Thcater, long and
successfully run under the management
of the accomplished Conways, now dead,
and then the Brooklyn Theater. Then
Hooly's Opcra-house (now the Court
Square Theatcr) and the Olympic ap-
pcared Then on the 9th of December
1876, occurred the ever memorable fire
by which the Brooklyn Thcatcr was swept
out of existence with 2S6 lives, and for q
time it seemed as though the people
would never again care to step inside Il
,hoater. But the demand for theatrical
presentations seems to be innate, and
soon the Park, as the princi pile playhouse
in the city, began to do a thriving busi
ness and have everything its own way
Until pretty little place, chrstencd the
Novelty. suddenly sprang into existence
in the eastern section Of the city, while II
variety business Of Il clean and attractive
order was begun under the name of
NolkS Theatcr, directly back of the Park
in what had once been the city market
and which, under the cXigcncics of the
great calamity of 1876, already referred
to, had done service as a temporary
morgue.
have gone into this bit of detail to
enable you to understand how it is that
new and finely appointed ,heater has
just appeared, and also because ! want
YOU TO realize how speedily even city
of nearly three hundred church edifices
can break away from old prejudices when
it once gets going. Virgil, ] believe,
SAYS something about the descent to
Avernus being easy; bat am not pre-
pared To class the theater and that
doubtful place in the same category
when there are churches in existence that
on Sundays can entertain the SAINT
crowds that on week days listen tc
mlamlet" rip Van Wmkle," "The
Mighty Dollar" Conscience" Kerry
Cow" Faust" Fra Diavolo, .
"Chimes of Normandy &c.
The new thcatcr is the Brooklyn re-
divivus, and erected on the site Of the
cid one. Though tAe Park and Novelty
are excellent in their way, the buildings
are not in size and appointments what
this new corner is, md it was for just
such a structure as the new one that
fashionable society sighed, though judg
ing from the patronage still extended tho
Others named, neither the Park nol
Joyelty need fear to lose their hold or
the popular favor 50 long as their manag
ers offer the first-claSs inducements they
do at present. 1t was natural that til,
Brooklyn should rise again out of it,
ashes, for some Of the wealthiest mel
were pecunarily interested in it, but il
was long disputed whether the public
would care to listen to the voice of TRACE
dy over spot where a mightier TRACED,
than ever appeared on mimic stage, /
tragedy that carried mourning into hun
dnds Of houses, had 50 recently beel
enacted.
But the publican can soon forget, ant
the new theater, though it has beel
open only few days, is doing a livel
business with Mr.. J. II. Haverly, widel
known in dramatic circles, as manager
On the opening night, however, ther
were some strange condolences. Tha
same evening there was playing in tn
"Two Orphans at the Novelty, tn
very woman who in the same play cam
near losing her life when the old Brool
lvn was burned ClaxtOn. The
when the curtain rolled up-the pla
was the Royal Favorite," with Clar
Morris as "Jane Shore"a fir side sccr
was disclosed, and all actor addressin
Lady Alice" said, Upon my soul, fla
dime, it is Il burning shame ETC., thu