The times., 1899-04-09
WASHINGTON'S OLD
THESPIAN Temples
Early Days of the Drama in
the Capital.
The Adelphi, Canterbury Hall, and
Carusi's Academy.
Who Held the boards in the
Days of Our Grandfnthers.

Washington playhouses have been a part
of the city itself for only very short time
in comparison 10 the growth and size OF the
town A long time elapsed after the es-
tablishment OF the seat Of Government in
the District of Columbia before the erec-
fion of its first theatre So long in fact
that the residents of the city became i'm
patient for lack OF amusement and built
the first legitimate playhouse themselves
Thespis has long been the patron deity of
the residents Of the National Capital, how
ever as is atrested by the outpouring of
money that followed the appeal of the citi-
gems for theatre in 1895 when the Nation
al Theatre was built There were several
playhouses in the city before that time,
but that signalized the opening of perma-
nent theatres in Washington The house
was and always has been the home Of the
best that the country could produce, and
some of the greatest stars in the theatrical
armament have made their first appear
ance on its stage.
There were numerous theatrical per-
formances before the erection Of the Ma
tional and there were numerous play
houses of more or less popularity. The
first theatrical performance that is known
10 have taken place in the District of CO.
lumbia given by Archibald Marlbor
ough Hamilton Sterling and mis- company of
love OF the citizens OF the District Of Co
lumbia for the drama at even that early
date is attested by the fact that the select
men of the staid old town of Georgetown
decided that the event was of such mu
steal nature as to admit the remission of
the tax of IS per night assessed against
theatrical performance by the city. Where
and how the performance or performances
were given it in impossible to learn, but
hat fhe 10 Nf he ri " arp
very much pleased at the visit of the COM
pany. as 1t is matter OF record that the
gentleman with the long name returned
the next year and repeated his former sue
cess There is some discussion as TO the
existence of a theatre at that time. In the
collection of programmes and theatrical
posters in the possession of L. Moxley. of
this city. there is one that came from the
collection of Peter Force. The poster was
printed for two performances Of the 'Old
American Company" given November 16,
1856. which included in its repertoire. ac-
cording to the poster, school for Sean
dal'' and Love la Mode"
The First Regular Show.
These performances were said by Mr..
Force to have been given at a theatre
which stood on Pennsylvania Avenue, be-
tween Four and Half and Sixth streets
northwest. Mr.. Moxley thinks, however,
that the poster referred TO Theatre in
Philadelphia A theatre did stand on the
SPOT mentioned by Mr.. Force, but il was
not erected until later in the present CEN
tury. The fact that the performances were
given in this city is still a matter Of doubt,
no one being found to either affirm or deny
the statement of Mr.. Force. The first
regular theatrical performance given in
this city, OF which there is authentic record
occurred at the Great Hotel. which was
then the principal tavern of the city. The
hotel was conducted by a man named
Blodgett. who also superintendent the per-
formances given The names Of the people
or the plays that were presented at that
time are not known, but it is certain that
they were acted at the hotel as early as
1900
In 1904 stock company purchased a site
at the corner Of what is now Eleventh and
c streets northwest and erected thereon
theatre. which was known as THE Thea
tre." Performances were given here for
number Of years, when it burned down and
was not rebuilt until 1922, when it was sold
TO a man ramed Carusi, who erected a
large building. which was known as the
City Assembly Rooms.
Then followed career OF gaiety such
as the city had never before known. The
atrical performances of all kinds We're Civ
en- in the building and the most fashion,
able balls and receptions of the social
world of the National Capital were held
here. During the course of its career sew
eral inaugural balls were held in the hail.
the most notable of which was after the
Inauguration of William Henry Harrison
when the latter caught cold that result
ed in his death few weeks later on. In
1857 the building was remodeled and was
then known as the Washington Theatre
and number OF notable performances
were given here. During March, 1865. i'm
mediately after the second Inauguration
OF President Lincoln. the most notable
performance that was ever given in the
house took place. The company playing
at that time was the WaIIack-Davenport
combination, and on the night in question
these two stars were at their best in a
performance of How She Loves Him
In the east besides the two mentioned
were Harry plaeide and Rose Etynge. the
latter having just made her debut in the
theatrical world. The School for Sean
dal. Honeymoon" and Still Waters
Run Deep" were also given by this com
bination before the close Of their season,
which lasted several weeks.
In 1872 the house WAS rented by Eugene
Herman. who started variety theatre in
the place. He was succeeded in the man
agement after two successful seasons by
a man named Rodgers. After a short ps-
riod Rodgers sold out to Budd & O'Nel
who after short season released the
theatre TO Tom SRellbacher who remod-
eled the house and called 1t the Comique.
In 1885 Mr. Herman again secured control
OF the house and has been conducting a
variety theatre at the place ever spce
The house has been improved several
times since then and the entrance has been
changed from C Street to Pennsylvania
Avenue.
Colonel Sinn's Playhouse.
The next theatre to be erected in the city
was another Washington Theatre" which
was afterward known as the American
and more recently as the Canterbury and
was managed by Col William Sim. II
passed out OF sight years ago. however
and only the Oldest inhabitants OF the city
can remember where ii stood. The the
atre was built early in the twenties OF
Louisiana Avenue between Fifth and Sixth
Streets, and for a long time was the prin-
cipal theatre in the city.
For years it had practically no opponen
in the production Of 1rst-class dramas ant
II was not until just before the Civil Wal
that IL became a variety house and as sucl
was run until 1t burned down Billy Rice
Billy Emerson, Sol Smith Russell. then {
member of the Berger troupe of Swis.
bell ringers and Nat c. Goodwin, Their
song and dance man, have appeared a
this house at odd times during its career
Besides these a number of famous star,
presented the legitimate drama at tn,
house. Early in the ffties a theatre wa.
erected on Pennsylvania Avenue between
Fo1r-and -a-half and Sixth Streets north
west. which was known as the Adelphi
The house was only in operation a few
70 a Cel