The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-06

perusal of the earliest archives o
this city indicates that the drama an,
its disciples have always been well patron
lied by the people of Washington an,
Georgetown. Thus, although the adven
of that eminent engineer, Major L'Enfant
to whom the city is indebted for its pres
ent beautiful plan, is described in a copy
of the Georgetown Weekly Record o.
1894 as that of a distinguished astron-
omer," there is no mistake made in an
other number of the same journal for 179!
regarding the accomplishments of com
pany of strolling comedians. under the
management of one Archibald Marlbor-
ough Hamilton Sterling.
Whether the manifold and brilliant
promises of the advertisement were car
ried out in the actual performance there
are no direct means of ascertaining. In
view of the fact, however. that the latter
was given necessarily by candle light
and without the aid of any of the me-
may be inferred that much was left to the
Imagination of the audience.
1t is stated. by the way in the adver-
tisement for this performance, that
the manager petitioned the town au-
thorities in behalf of himself and
associates to remit the onerous tax that
was imposed upon theatrical representa-
tons, amounting to Sc per night, and 1t
further transpires that the selectmen did
meet and graciously consent to suspend
the operation of this tax law while the
comedians were in town.
Mr.. L. Monkey, of this city, possesses
an old poster of the date of November
is, 1855, ten by twelve inches in size,
which announced the last two nights of
the "Old American Company" the come
dies on the bill being the School for
Scandal" and Love a la Mode" 1t is
stated that this poster came from the
collection of theatrical "reminiscences made
by the late Peter Force. who asserted
that the performances took place in a
theatre which was located on what is now
the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue,
between Four and-a-H Half and Sixth
Streets, the exact site being at present
occupied by a coach factory. 1t is other
wise stated, however, that the perform
ance must have taken place in some other
city. most probably Philadelphia as
Washington at the date mentioned in the
poster was nothing but wilderness
year 1896 there was felt longing by the
people Of the city for some public amuse-
ments. of which there was, at that time. a
dearth. a chronicle for the year 1895 refers
to this barrenness OF theatricals, and pub
fishes from a London paper an announce
ment CT the fact that new play had been
brought out at Venetian theatre with
applause, entitled 1.-TWO Gentle
men of Verona" (altered from Shakespeare)
with Signor Buonaparte in the role
Of First Gentleman and Signor Beaulien in
that of Second Gentleman" etc. with a
triumphant entry into Milan. in which an
danced a hornpipe." 1t was |
stated TO be the intention of the company |
10 visit London. This was at the time |
when the great Napoleon was spreading |
error throughout all Europe. and it was |
cared that his triumphant march would |
lot be checked before he should make an |
.Ssault upon the British Capital.
1t is said that, in all probability, the first |
lramatic performance that took place in
Washington was given in the year 1900, at
he Great Hotel" then the largest tav-
I'm in the city which was kept by man
famed Blodgett, and was located on the |
round now occupied by the General Post
flee Building Whether this Blodgett was
he originator of the celebrated Blodgett
lain which created such stir in the Dis
riot a few years ago is not known. The /
lays that were presented on that occasion.
IT the actors who participated, cannot be
scertained. but there is authentic record ]
o show that the performance took place.
The first building devoted exclusively 10
dramatic amusements was erected in 1894. /
II was situated on the corner OF Eleventh /
and Streets. A stock company built il, T
md they gave it no other naIae than The ,
he frnH uCfa fr- raj hut
vas at length burned down, and the site !
.old to Mr.. -Carusi. who Is well remem
)ered by old residents of the city, in 1922,
md who reconstructed il, and named it .
he City Assembly Rooms. Here Carusi
ield his dancing academy, and in this hall
we're held many notable parties and balls.
n 1897 Carusis saloon was remo1eled into
| theatre, and excellent performances took
place there for long series of years, be-
ore 1t became variety hall. Il was called
he Washington Theatre. and among the
many notable engagements was ore OF two
weeks. which took place in March, 1865,
It the time Of President Liucoln's second
by the Wallack and Daven-
,ort combination. which introduced, be-
ides these distinguished actors Miss Rose
styrge, Harry Placide. and others. The
irst week vas devoted to the new play OF
How She Loves Him" with Wallack as
he suffering Tom Vacil: Davenport as
captain Gawley, Harry Placide as Diog-
mes and Rose Etynge as Atlanta Cruiser.
The second week was given TO English
'omedy. and The School for Scandal"
Honeymoon" and still Waters Run
Deep were presented.
The next theatre built here was erected
u Louisiana Avenue. Just east OF Sixth
street. and was called The Washington
Theatre, and afterward The American
Iheatre 1t was, in all likelihood, built
'aiIy in the 20s, for there is a record of
Is having been greatly enlarged and i'm
Droyed in 1928. This theatre ENJOYED great
popularity and success for a number OF
'ears. In it were held two Inauguration
,slls. and several bslls and receptions by
ocai military organizations. During tie
var II, too, became variety hail. and was
lnown as The Canterbury" After the
louses mentioned had fiourished and de-
lined. there stood on the site described by
he late Peter Force as that of the 1856
performance above referred to. q theatre
allied The Adelphi." II was destroyed by
Ire in 1850. only enjoying few years of
xistence
Ford's Tenth Street Theatre is still re-
rendered by many. favorably, because OF
he enjoyable performances once rendered
here. and on account Of the tragic occur
snces of which 1t has been the scene. TIE
riginal building was a Baptist Church. in
mich the Rev Obediah Brown used IN
reach. and was altered into a theatre in
s5s. After an existence of only about a
ear, this place OF amuseent was destroyed
y fire, and no few people said IL was a
augment against those who had turned a {
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