Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15

sadness that many of our citizens, vete-
ran play-goers, who are now journeying
on the shady side OF life, viii see these
old walls. which on so many an evening
have sheltered them, laid low in the dust
Here. az the years went by. and they
dropped gracefully from gay youth into
vigorous manhood, and then slowly into
old age, they watched the progress or
what some are pleased TO term the rise
and fall of the drama" In other words
the stage world has kept pace with the
rapid flight of time instead Of being left
I'm the race.
And vet there are many who put on a
lorg face and sigh for the good Old
DAYS" before the stage became degene-
rate. Still this is very natural, for those
same "old days" were the best ones Of
their lives. Any one would exchange OLD
age for youth. The more youthful play
goer. however, is puzzled 10 understand
the lamentations of his respected senior,
the veteran when at every spectacular
performance. when feminine loveliness,
scantily attired, is on exhibition, he sees
him comfortably seated in the very first
row of the pit.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Rnt 10 return 10 Ilt fNltitlDuu
This venerable playhouse is dear alike
70 borh those who have seen many
plavs in their day, and are now calmy
waiting for the curtain to be rung down
on their lives and TO those with whom
the first act OF the Creat drama of life
has but commenced. How many can say
that they saw their first play within the
Richmond Theatre? Will they ever forget
those first Impressions? Every detail in
the architecture and interior decoration
OF the old playhouse is stamped in their
memory. They remember how they craned
their young necks looking at the great,
round "hole" I'm the roof, and wondered
what II was there for The boxes, too
were then objects OF curiosity TO them.
How impatient they were for the curtain
10 rise that they might see the wonderful
things they were told Of They remember
seeing the man creep from behind the
corner OF the curtain, and the cries OF
"supel Supew that greeted his appear
ance, as with torch In hand he lit the
footlights. And then the musicians one
by one came up, out Of the floor seeming
ly, and took their seats. How they jump
ed when, without the least warming, the
orchestra started the overture. AS to the
play itself they probably remember very
little of 1t, and certainly they did not
understand the plot.
SUCCEEDED THE MARSHALL.
The playhouse which now stands on the
southeast corner OF Broad and Seventh
streets was built In 1853. the site having
been occupied two years before by the
Marshall Theatre. which was destroyed
by fire The new building cost about
$50 900. and was designed by the late AL
bert /. West. Joseph Hall and John J.
Regnault were the contractors
From 1866 until lSt the house was man.
aged by different persons. its owner,
Mrs. McGitt afterwards Mrs. PowelD,
snending a portion Of this time In New
York. Graw & Bricken ran It In 1867,
and later Joseph Ogden was Its manager.
For short period there was no regular
narager and agents here had the leasing
of IL In 1871 Mrs. Powell returned and
took the management. and kept IL until
a few years before her death. Josh. F..
ogden. who for many years acted as
treasurer became manager for few
months.
MIR Thomas G. Leath finally came into
control. Colonel John Murphy having
bought the theatre for sSs.5Oo. and leased
n 10 him. 1t was used very little, how
ever. Mr.. Leath booking nearly all of
his attractions for the Academy.
The work Of tearing down the old
theatre will begin next Friday. and under
the contract the four-story building
which will be erected on the. site must
be completed by August 18th.
THE VETERAN DOORKEEPER.
Probably no two persons In the city
are as well acquainted with the history
Of the old playhouse as Mr.. Peter Jack
son and Squire Lonnie Graves. The
FORMER was connected with the Marshall
Theatre for years. and when the new
niavhouse was built he was still at his
most. Mr.. Jackson Is % years OF age. and
over forty years Of hts life have beer
spent In the business. For over twenty
years no hes been IN front and worked