The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-10
DAYS OF THE PENCE
Recalled by Phosa McAllister Of the
Frawley Company.
LESSEE OF THE PENCE 18s1-1ss4
Some Who Were FavOr1tes in the
Old Days-Their Successes
Since.

Miss Phosa McAllister, a member Of the
Frawley Stock company, which appeared
IN repertoire at the Metropolitan theater
during the first half Of the week, was
prominent figure in Minneapolis thea trl-
Gals of the early eighties. She came here
originally to join Frederick Bryton as
leading man, but remained with him only
short time and then returned to the
east. The theater at which she appeared
was the old Pence opera-house, Hennepln
avenue and Second street. The building
still stands, but has not been used for
theatrical purposes for ten years. The
theater was on the seconds floor.
Shortly after Miss McAllister left Min
neapolis, Brytons popularity began to
Wane. He was a handsome, dashing fell
low, and had been a great favorite, but
his career here was not without it's un-
pleasant incidents and he was finally COM
PEELED to seek a new field. When he
left, Miss McAllister was recalled, and in
1881 organized a stock company and took
charge of the Pence on her own account,
her name appearing on the programs as
lessee and manager.
She continued in this capacity for three
years, until the opening of the Grand
opera-house (since torn down to make
way for a business block, when the
Pence was given over to the production Of
plays on the 80, 20, 30' system, the new
company having at its head Frederick
Book and Jessaline Rodgers.
Between 81 and 81 Minneapolis had
one other It heater, the Academy Of Music,
which stood upon the present site of the
Temple Court, and which was destroyed by
fire one Christmas day few years later.
Upon the erection of the Grand, however,
the Academy was jelosed, a contract to
that effect having +been made by the
management. fE4id'4 -. @
The new theaters was handsome play
house-one of the best constructed in the
west, and Miss McAllister feared that it
would ruin her business. Consequently
she gave up her lease and left Min
neapolisl for the east, a step which she
afterward regretted. In speaking Of the
matter recently, she said:
1t was a very foolish thing to do. but the
management of theater was a new thing
to me then and I became frightened. Since, I
have often wished that I had stayed. The
three years at the Pence were prosperous.
We always made money. Not much, but still
enough to pay; and if I had remained there
would probably have secured one of the new
theaters, as they were built and, I suppose,
would be much better off than I am to-day.
On Dec. 2, 1881, benefit performance
of sheridan's "school for Scandal was
Allister played Lady Teazle. Fred
Hight, now living in New York city, was
the Sir Peter, and J. L. saphore appeared
as Sir oliver Surface, while his wife, Hat
tie Saphore, was cast as Lady SneerWeH.
Both Mr. and Mrs Saphore are now In the
east. j. F. Herne, q brother of the late
James Herne, author of "Shore Acres
and other plays, was Sir Benjamin Back
bite He is now dead. So Is A. II.
Phelps. the Joseph Surface of the pro-
Charles Surface, was played by c. A.
Stedman, now a resident Of Boston; J.
Edwin Irving, prime favorite, was seen
as Crabtree Mr.. Irving was said to be
one of the best stock comedians in the
country. He has now gone the way OF all
flesh. Opposite the role Of Rowley, on
the old program, appears the name, &c.
Handyside" This was Clarence Handy
side, who made his stage debut at the
she gave up her lease and left Mime
apolis in support of Nat Goodwin, and still
later with Frederick Warde.
Another player who first .trod the
! boards in Miss McAllister's company was
Harold Russell. In '"The School for
sell was in Minneapolis few weeks age
with Mrs. Sarah Cowell LIE Moyne, and
| played the Duke of Marlborough.
few years ago he came here in support o.
Stuart Robson in a historical comedy
drama entitled SOLVER Goldsmith"
| Ante Harris played Maria. Sne "as
the soubrette of the company. In speak
| ing of her Miss McAllister said:
| Times change in theatricals as IN everything
else. We have no soubrette in this company
but we have an ingenue. In the old Pence
stock Miss Harris was known as the SOU
brette.a Had she gone on the stage when
did, in 1866, she would have been termed
either the first or second ''chambermaid.
In private life Miss McAllister is known
| as Mrs. H. s. Duffield. Her husband Is
also member Of the FraWley company.