Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-10

John Lester was still a baby and remain
ed there for more than twenty years:
Although the family were distinguished
for its actors and actresses Ire designed
his son for the army and gave him llhe-
raj education. John Lester however,
tired Of the army a.ter three days str-
vice and took TO the stage in spite OF his
fathers advice.
His road to success was by no means
easy. lie played small parts in Dublin,
and afterward IN Scotch and English
provincial theatres for several years
without attracting attention or securing
good pay. Charlotte Cushman seems to
have been the first to distinguish his I'M
usual capabilities, and she spoke to Ben
iamin Webster of the London Hay
market about him. This amounted to
nothing until Charles Mathews brought
a similar report to Webster. Then Mr.
Wallack WAS engaged, but he made a
failure and appeared at the Haymarket
for only three nights.
Not long alter that John Barnett. m
American actor, brought him to this
country. he made his first appearance
in the Broadway Theatre in 1871, an F..
was Immediately successful. Since then
be has been identified with the American
stage as an actor, manager, and author.
For many years he WAS associated with
his father. and they appeared together
in many different plays.
II was the elder Wallack who estab-
lished Wallack's Theatre at the corner
of Thirteenth street and Broadway, now
known as the Star. 1t was opened in
1861, on which occasion the younger
Wallack appeared for the first time I'M
der his full name. In his previous en-
gagements. even when playing with his
father, he had called himself John Les
ter.
Wallack's Theatre became the fashion
able house of entertainment. and the
best actors were proud to play there as
members Of the company. Charles Ma
thews sought an engagement as "A mem
Der of the " stock, and performed
there for year. On January I, 1852.
Wallack's Theatre, at the corner OF
Broadway and Ihrtieth streets, was
opened, but the veteran has had little to
do with it for two years.
Mr. Wallack wrote eightplays-"The
Three Guardsmen and 1.-The -Four
Musketeers,' both produced at the
Bowery Theatre in 1919; "The For
tune of War" produced at Brougham's
Lyceum. 1851 "Two to One or, The
Kings Visit" Wallack's, 1854 "First
Impressions, Wallack's, 1856; "The
Veteran Wallack's, 1859; Central
Park. " Wallack's, 1861, and " Rosedale, -
Wallack's. 1863. None Of these we're
failures. and " Rosedale was a remarka-
bic success. 1t is now one of the most
widely known Of modern plays.
Mr. Wallack was distinguished as one
Of the best actors OF the gentleman upon
the Fnglish-speaking stage. CuriOusly
enough his first ambition was to play
Irish parts in low comedy. and he drift.
cd into his proper place more by reasoa'
OF observing what things were success
full than 10y aiming at "a chosen mark.
His last appearance IN public was on
the occasion of his benefit at the Metro
politan Opera-House on May y, 1888,
when he spoke briefly in recognition OF
the services his friends had performed
in his behalf
MIR. Wallack was the first president OF
the Actors Fund, and the members Of
the Fund after adopting suitable resolu-
tons have determined to attend the fu-
neral in body.