Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-08-19
THE rHEArER IN NEW HAVEN

Win SOCIAL 8mueemeQtS.
The social amusements of the young pso-
pie of the first generation were connected
with the frequent huskings of the autumn
nal season, the occasional house raisings,
and the regularly recurring trainings, OF
which there were six in number In the
year. On the last named occasions the
soldiers were required to exercise them
selves IN running, wrestling and leaping.
In 1860 the general court protested
sgsinst corrupt songs, foolish jestings,
mixed dancings and immoderste playing
at any sort of sports and games.
When the second generation IN tnelr
turn were giving place to their successors
the amuseroents of the young people had
become still more dipleasing to the magis-
trates, elders and other persons of gravity.
In July, 1892, the ministers of New Ha-
ven county united In proposing lecture
to be preached in the several towns in the
county, the object OF which was ITO fur
Their religion and reformation in these de-
clining times" The town of New Haven
in town meeting assembled thankfully &C
copied the proposal, "but recommended to
the authority, town officers and heads of
families, to take the utmost care they can
to prevent all disorders, especially on leo
ture days, and particularly that there be
no horse racings on such days."
In the latter part of the eighteenth cen
fury dancing was very fashionable in New
Haven. During the same period the pres
ence of Yale college in the city contributed
to the cultivation of the drama. The Lin
oman society, and at a later date the Broth
ers in Unity, gave an annual exhibition of
tragedies, farcss and comedies with such
aids of costume and scenery as were in
reach. At the anniversary of the society
in 1772 the play presented was 1.-THE
Beaux's Stratagems, and among the per-
formers were Nathan Hale, the martyr spy,
and James Hillhouse.
The first theatrical entertainment ever
given in New Haven by professional actors
was given on Thursdsy evening, April 8,
1900. The Connecticut Journal Of that
date has this announcement:
THEATRE.
This evening, Thursday, April 8, at Mr..
Borth's Assembly nall, New Haven, will
be presented variety of theatrical enter
tainments called an evenings regale. the
evenings entertainment to commence
with monody on the death of General
George Washington, as lately spoken in
the principal theaters of America.
A popular new song called
Nor. "NoDgg;; Tong Paw. or John Bulls Trip to
Bucks, have atye all, or the Picture of a
The whole to conclude with the popular song
called American Commerce and Freedom
Iickets Is sd. each. to be had at the theater:
person admitted free.
Theatrical amusement was, however, OF
slow growth. SO that probably no play was
presented in New Haven BY professionals
for thirty years.
In 1S47 the city was visited by negro
minstrels or by persons calling themselves
by that name.
In 1S48 the New Haven elocution class
gave dramatic entertainment in the hal
of the Mechanics institute In Street,
building, corner of Chapel and Stat,
streets. In 1850 "The Lady of Lyons
and 1.-THE Soar of Lover" were given IL
Exchange hall at the corner of Chapel ani
Church streets by the same class. Com
| mencing on February 26, 1851, the mem
| bers of the class gave five dramatic per
formances and they were SO successful tina
in December of the same year anothe
series was given which lasted four weeks
In 1859 the Holman family gave play
through Christmas week. During tn
winter and spring of 1858 Mr.. George 3
Wyatt and his company presented plays
| At the Temple, corner of Court an
Orange streets, on September 16, 1853, til
Homan family opened the first permanen
theater In the city in Exchange hall, IN
der the name of Holman Att aneum, wit
now stage and scenery.
The "Wyatt's Dramatic Lyceum" az
nounced on September that they woul
give dramatic performances for four week
from date at the Temple Hall.
In September, 1854, Henry Plunkett be
came lessee and manager of the Homa
thester and named it Plunkett's Olympic
He introduced higher class of plays tina
bad been seen in the city. But he was no
successful, and gave up the theater afte
running it for two seasons.
The American theater in q hall corner O
Church and Crown streets was opened Il
1855, but failed after short season.
The Union theater in Union Hal
Union street, was opsned at the same time
The first of the present theaters to b
erected was Music hall, on Crown street
1t was erected in 1860 by Samuel Peck an
was opened under his management with
promenade concert by the Philharmonl
society of New York on November Is
1860.
| During the summer of $50 the stage wa
Il
pliances for dramatic performances.
In 1870 the ownership was transferred t
CLARK Peck, who changed the name of tn
theater to Peck's Grand opera house.
In 1884 1t was leased to G. B. Buhnell
being known for time as Bunnell's mu
scum; later the name was changed to Bur
nelps Grand opera house. The theater wa
entirely remodeled In 1899.
The present Music hall on Church stree
was formerly st. Mary's R. O. church
and at the completion of the Catholi
church on Hillhouse avenue, now 81
Mary's. In 1870, was rented for theatel
From that time till 1881 it passed throug
several managers' hands. In 1881 it wen
into the hands Of Press Eldridge, manage,
and W. n. Van Buren,, treasurer. I,
1888 1t was partially destroyed by fire
Later In that year Van Buren, and EldridR
became sole managers of the theater. Il
1885 it was leased to James Cameron. Th
building was bought by Healy & Bieeloy
in 1889 and turned into dance hall.
Proctor's opera house, Chapel street, wa
formerly a church, having been built earl,
in the 6fties. 1t was opened as theate
February 10, 1877, under the Management
of George 81. Coe, the opening attraetio,
being the Providence Opera company IL
"Rosedale." Miss Cummings next ran tn
/ nouso Luz suoTt tlHle. III 1OoU 6aImef
Ullmer became managesr. They held 1t til
1888, when Horace Wall became the man
ager. In 1887 Proctor & Turner obtaine,
| control of the house, and are still tn
| lessees.
Uarlls opera house was built by Pete
| R. CARL and a stock company In 1880, AM
was opened in September of that year. Il
| 1855 G.. B. Bunnell became the sole Jesse
of it, opening with Edwin Booth. It 1
| the second hall of its kind in size to b.
| found in the New England states.
entertainments.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
There was another large audience pres
| ent last evening to witness the production
of ''She." The company is a strong ant
| eI emily balanced one, perfectly capable o