New-York tribune., 1902-07-06
CHANGES OF THE STAGE
INTERESTING PHASES DISCLOSED RY
STUDY OF OLDTIME NEW
YORK PLAYBILLS.

The fad of the day is evolution. To trace de-
velopment has become the approved method OF ap-
preaching all subjects. From the oyster to the
archangeI," as the orator remarked, from the
ieIIyfsh to the genius" he might have said is
the reading of history in the physical world The
modern patient scientist, armed with statistics
finds no surprises anywhere along the line only
growth There is no reason why the relations OF
the old to the should not be traced in the
theatrical world in all other provinces. The
making of a theatrical reputation is about the slow
est work known. Stars are stars, and not meteors
Not a bad place to study the beginnings Of
theatrical regulations, the slow making of name,
is little old restaurant in Greenwich-ave- The
proprietor. Charles Britting. has lived in the Iow
brick house whose ground floor is the restau-
rant for thirty-One years. The restaurant is a
tiny one room affair, containing six tables. But on
it's walls is a theatrical history Of New-York Mr.
Brittfng has collected ten thousand playbiIls They
date back to 1865. They paper the walls. fill the
front window, and overflow into seven trunks in
the cellar. The collection is enriched by some five
thousand photograph steel engra yngs and guer-
reotypes CT oldtime stage favortes, and the place
Is a resort for actors of a generation ago bin
of Purdys Theatre for May Il. 1888, Miss
Louisa EIdridse in the Irish historical drama
Darby the Blast" Another shows that at Laura
Keenes New Theatre, No. s2i Broadway, on Thurs
day evening March 3. 1859, Our American Cousin"
was produced, with Joseph Jefferson in the part of
Asa Trenchard, a Live Yankee" Lord Dundreary
being taken by Mr.. Sothern. father of f. H
SOthern. Miss Laura keene appeared as Florence
Trenchard.
Or again. a little earlier Mr. Jefferson at the Win
ter Garden on Monday evening, April o. 1S5s. "First
night of the beautiful and brilliant cOmedenne
Mrs. John Wood, and the admirable comedian Mr.
j. jefferson. in the fJvorite comedy Of Jenny
Lind Mrs. John Wood Jenny Lind. Mr.. Joseph
jefferson in his popular character Of CRANKY Gag
with his celebrated Break Down To conclude
with the laughable comedy of The Governors
Wife. Lefty Briggs, Mrs. John Wood. Short Mr.
]. jefferson"
A bill for Tuesday evening. March u. 1851 shows
that J. II. Stoddart was acting the part of Frar
Domanick in Loves Sacrifice
On Monday October g. 1852, at the Grand Opera
House, Hazel kirke" was given with Miss Annie
Russell Haze. and Pittacus Green, our Mutual
Friend Mr.. De Wolf Hopper.
There is an interesting sidelight the literary
methods of Dion Boucicault in of the pro
grammes Tonight an entirely drama. in
three acts written by Dion EoucicauIt being the
seventh that has come from his pen within six
months the others being Dot 'Chamoni.' 'Smike'
The OctCroou.' Jeanne Deans Vanity Fair IN
wcaried with this prodisOUs amount Of literary
labor. Mr.. BouciCault now produces the last work
he will give the public this season"
Twenty-Five years ago there was demand for
the dramatized novel there is to-day At the
WorreH Sisters New York Theatre Nos Us and %
Broadway il was announced for November a. 1851
that IAN original dramatic comedy, in five acts and
numerous tabIeaus founded with permissiOu) on
the great novel by the Rev Henry Ward Beecher.
and completed from advance Sheets most kindly
furnished by Mr. Robert Bonner of The New ork