The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-05-18
TONY PASTOR REMINISCES.
Twenty-Five Years of Theatrical Life
and Its Changes.


Tony Pastor completed lately quarter
of century of theatrical management in
New York city. 1t is now about twenty
five years since he gave his first variety
or vaudeville entertainment, and during
those years there has been gradual evo-
luton and development Of that kind of
disconnected stage performance from the
point OF starting. which included the dis
tribution of hams and of barrels of -four
on Friday nights on the Bowery to the
favored holders Of winning tickets, to the
present point of realization. Seated in
the little office, which is just back of
where the treasurer has sat every night
for years and taken in the dollars, half
dollars and dimes of the patrons, the
veteran actor chatted about his career,
the other night, with a Sun reporter
professionals sometimes complain
nowadays" said Mr.. Pastor, ''of the
difficulties which stand in the way OF
young actor or actress in getting a start
upon the stage, but to speak of such diff
culties TO one of the old timers would be
TO SET him laughing. / remember when
only nine years of age organizing dra-
matte company, and rehearsing the
members after school hours in the cellar
Of my fathers house, which was at No.
165 Greenwich street. | was attending
then the old Thames street school in the
First ward, just back of Trinity Church.
These rehearsals took place, of course,
while he was absent, for otherwise he
would put stop to the proceedings. /
managed by using a sheet to produce
with burnt cork very fair drop cur
tain. We arranged things In the cellar,
piling away the kindling and cord wood,
and by the aid OF barrels and planks Dor
rowed from the neighboring groceryman,
we built our stage. For wings we used
clothes horse, and thus managed TO
make quite stage setting. All these
proceedings were conducted with hushed
voices, and with bated breath, for fear
my parents might discover and Illustrate
our designs; consequently it took some
time to prepare our auditorium.
1.-The prices of admission were rated in
pins; SO many pins for admission, while
white alley or u new top would entitle its
owner to whole barbour private
boxes were barrels. The plays were ex
tempore and consisted of such thugs we
could remember, or had heard from the
older boys who had been to matinee or
to the circus. sang comic songs, but
when my audience became noisy or ap-
plauded too freely would stop in my
lines, and caution them against the ap-
pearance of my father, who, though him
self professional, would not relish the
establishment of u theatre in his cellar.
One Saturday afternoon, when imagined
my father was away,I forgot my usual
caution. One of the boys, an embryo ira
gedian, was shouting for a horse; the
audience were all appiauding, when sud
denly noticed a darkening of the rear
entrance, and a glance convinced me
that the boots upon the stairs were those
of my beloved parent. | gave the word
to run, and set the example as we'll, and
over boxes aud barrels, and up the front
stairs went artists and auditors in wild
scramble. did not care much to appear
at supper that night, but finally | mus
tered courage to go home.
'In fear 1 entered the room, but much
to my relief the ridiculous escape of the
boys amused my father, and | got off
with q caution. Some years after this
helped to give concerts on the steamboat
Raritan, Captain Fisher, plying between
New York and Staten Island. After that
/ went regularly into theatrical business
as singer in the concert company which
accompanied Raymond & Warnings men
agerie. was one of the end mem of the
minstrels. and soon saw chance for a
little extra profit. In those days the
menageries and circus shows did not per-
form at night, but IN the afternoons only.
This seemed to me a waste of valuable
time, SO / arranged side show specula-
ton with the assistance of the other per-
formers. | would engage the Town Hall,
schoolhouSe, or hotel dining-room, and
announce grand minstrel and variety
show by means of the bellman or town
crier At last, however, the proprietor of
the menagerie grew envious of my sue
cess, and took the thing in hand himself.
My next appearance was with Sand &
Quick's circus in the towns of New Eng
land. After that / appeared as a per
former at No. IA Broadway, remaining
there four years. After managing on the
Bowery for ten years and on Broadway
for six, moved TO this Fourteenth street
house on October 81, 1881, nine years
ago."
''The Grand Duchess" Goes, "The Bra
zilianr Comes.
The last nights of 1.-THE Grand
Duchess do not suffer by comparison
with the first in point of business, for the
houses are equally as crowded and the
applause as liberal. There seems TO be a
general feeling Of regret among the
most beautiful of ali the produc-
lions in this house, should be with
drawn when its popularity is
greatest, but they can fiud consolation in
Mr.. Aronson's announcements that the
opera will be seen again in the early fall,
with Lillian Russell in the title role. The
date of production of Chassaigne's new
opera, 'sThe Brazilian has not been de-
cided upon, but most perfect perform
ance is promised on the first night as the
rehearsals are very thorough. Some
very handsome scenery is being painted
by Matt Morgan and Mr.. Young; the
costumes, Spanish in design, will be very
picturesque, and among the mechanical
effects will be practical waterfall. The
cast will include Marie Halton. Edith
Ainsworth, Grace Golden, Florence Bell,
Fred Solomon, II. F. Carroll, John Brand,
George Olmi, Henry Hallam, Arthur
Tams, A. w. Mafiin and the full company
and chorus.
Jacobs Hoboken Theatre.
Commencing on Monday night Matte
vickers will be seen in the play of
"Jacquine. or Paste and Diamonds" 1t
is from the pen of Charles Gaylor The
story it tells serves well the purpose for
which it has been written-to amuse
the public and display versatile talents
of the principal members of the COM
pany. Miss Vickers is of course the life
and soul of this strange medley.
Following Matte VickerS comes charm
ing Lizzie Evans. one of the brightest
and most natural little condolences on
the American stage. She will open on
Thursday next in her latest comedy sue
cess, entitled 1.-THE Buckeye" This play
was originally written for Denman
Thompson, from whom it was pur-
chased by Miss Evans. The scenes of
the comedy are located in and around
an old country cross roads tavern in the