Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-06-13
ORIGIN OF VAUDEVILLE:
POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT


lplay-goers regarding the growth of
vaudeville. That is of earlier date
than negro minstrelsy. In fact. it
is the root from which minstrelsy
grew.
THE variety show was originally
confined to bar rooms, where the pat
rons could drink and smoke, and the
patrons We're almost all men. The
first real variety theatre of any pre-
tensions was at 35 Bowery, and was
run by Charlie White. the minstrel.
in the early sos. 1t was little
place, but the performers were strict
! ~ up to date
Some of the men of that day who
are still living well recall Master
Diamond the jig dancer. He was the
best dancer in the business then,
and his and X. NJ. Carroll's Jig dane
! ing-Carroll is alive today-was
very popular. Carroll and Diamond
used TO have dancing contests, and
their meeting was considered an
event.
After White theatre came the
American at 444 Broadway and popu-
larly known as 444. 1t was managed
by Robert w. Butler. Butler depart
ed somewhat from Whites policy.
producing ballet dancers. engaging
circus performers and prominent min
strelS. He made a big success. But
none of these places catered to wo-
men or children. They were eXclus-
lively Patronized by men.
I'm 1865 Tony Pastor, who had al
ready made his mark as singer and
all-around variety entertainer, con-
ceived the idea of opening theatre
devoted to vaudeville shows of such
nature as would not offend the
most fastidious and eXacting person.
He realized that this would he pro-
ftable undertaking. so he leased the
premises at POI Bowery, formerly the
Nolks-(iarden and now the present
site of the Peoples theatre.
Pastor opened the house in Aug
ust. 1865. 1t was known as Tony
Pastors opera house, and Tony gave
a clean, firstclass show. He estab-
lished ladies' nights and matinees, till
then unknown at theatres of that
caliber. Then he eliminated all
smoking and drinking. His persever-
ance and patience were finally re-
ronage he wanted.
His theatre lasted till 1875. when
Tony removed to SIS and 5s7 Broad
way. where ne remained until 1881.
From there he went to Fourteenth
street in the Tammany hall building,
where a theatre bearing his name
stands today.
Mr.. Pastors success soon brought
out competitors. There were the
Theatre Comique at $50 broadway.
and the Olympic theatre at 620 Broad
way. These houses rapidly grew in
favor. and to keep up with the pace
Mr.. Pastor was compelled to enlarge
the scope of his entertainment. He
introduced some comic opera and
dramatic sketches in his perform
ances. Then he Travelled extensively.
His advent gave a new impetus and
prestige 10 variety all over the coun-
try.
In 1876 Pastor adopted the term
vaudeville to describe his show. and |
that has since become the usual |
designation for that kind of enter |
tainment.
The. continuous performance was
originated by Il. f. Keith about 1893 |
in Boston. After that almost every |
vaudo Vile theatre in the country gave |
a continuous show. Pastor fell in
line in 1896. The greater number of |
theatres of this kind and the in
creased patronage created = popular
demand for n more extensive per-
forIhance and better talent. and as
a consequence the attention of legiti
r Il IN h.al
vaudeville stage. till it has reached
its present Importance in theatre
land.
THE early vaudeville artists used
to receive big pay, but few of them
saved it. Sam Richie. who was the
best Irish comedian then. received
$500 a week. and he was so uBre-
liable that the management had to
hire man at $25 week to see that
Ritchie kept sober. John Hart, AN
other celebrity, is alive today and is
stone blind. Despite the large sums
he earned in his day he is broke.
after the Bowery theatre Pastor
used TO give presents to his patrons.
He gave away tons of coal, silk
dresses. barrels of flour. hats and
ham. Tickets with certain numbers
we're sold and the fortunate possessor
of the lucky ticket got the present
1t called for. That advertised Pas
tors theatre all over the country.
Perhaps from the giving away of
ham at Pastors the impression may
prevail that that's just how the
term 'hamfatter' for a bad perform
err originated but this is not so.
THE expression is an old minstrel
term and came from the refrain of
Il song and dance which goes some
thing like this: Ham fat, ham fat.
smoking in the pam This song be
came popular, and the performers
and later the public caught up the
[ erm. When a minstrel or a variety