Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-05-19
GRAND OPENING
OF THE NEW COLONIAL THEATRE"
LAST NIGHT.
The Initial Performance A Great Success
A Crowded Se-EICeIIeRt
Scenic Effects In "The
Holy City," x
SPEECHES BY Mr.. {. S. RILEY AND
MAYOR DUBOIS.

"Is this Annapolis p "Can you realize
you are in the Ancient City p "Did you
ever expect to live to see such beautiful
theatre here ?" These and dozens OF
other queries were asked by persons in
the large audience last night that filled
the handsome new Colonial Theatre from
stage to doors and from front row balcony
to last row gallery.
II was beautiful sight. The vast
audience of nearly, or quite 600 people,
Tor the capacity OF the tneatre was taxed,
presented handsome picture as attrac-
tive as the beautiful setting OF the artistic
new theatre, complete in all its furnish
ings, decorations and equipments. The
theatre at its opening night presented a
brilliant appearance, the audience being
a gathering OF Annapolis representative
citizens both in the social and the busi-
ness world. Before the performance Mr..
Elihu S. Riley, on behalf of the directors
OF the theatre, delivered an address oI
introduction and presentation.
MIR. RILEY'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Riley, who is thoroughly familiar
with all that pertains to the history OF
colonial Annapolis. related many iGci-
dents Of historic interest. He said IN part:
"The board OF directors of the Colonial
Theatre Company of Annapolis has given
me commission TO present. through the
Honor able Mayor, this new temple OF
histrionic art, to the citizens of Annap-
oils. Whatever incense arises around this
lame of dramatic worship, will come from
censors waved in the hands of the resi-
dents OF this city. What this stage will be
is what the people of Annapolis make it E.
Theatres are like books-some good,
some Indifferent, some P0sfff1sly bad i.
Manager of this splendid shrine OF dra-
matte devotion has authorized the an.
nouncement that this Stage is erected TO
present to the people of Annapolis and
the Naval Academy that which IS highest;
that which is best; that which is purest in
the bright fields of theatTic creation.
1--WE stand this evening in the august
assemblage OF great events in the annals
OF this famous city. This was the first
place in all America to erect the dramatic
stage, and the American drama beg an
here when, on the 2znd of June, I757. al
tie HeU Hieaf'e in Anaab0lis. the company
OF comedians from Virginia presented
The BeRgar's Opera and The Lying
Valet. This fact and this hope is har-
monious with the past and subseuuen,
history Of Annapolis. This was the first
city in the colonies to give free school
10 the public.
This was the first place in America to
make forcible and successful resistance
TO the British King. when on August 40
1905, Hood, the Kings stamp officer,
with his vessel and stamps, was driven
away by force and arms from the Civ
Dock. This was the only colony tha,
ever dared to refuse to vote the British
King supplies that be demanded to carry
on the French and Indian War.
"The first colony to offer religion.
liberty to the wcrld and the dogma va:
sanctiied here by the asylum that Cath.
lc Maryland gave to our Annapolitar
Puritan torefathers driven from ViTginia
by Protestant persecution. was the colony
that furnished the first United States vol
unieers to reach Washington's camp be
f.re Boston in I775. This was the com.
monwealth that gave the last martyr Il
The cause of American independence and
here the invincible Maryland line OF the
4
Observation-Disclosures at Lor g Island and
victorious at Cowpens, had its birth
and organization.
"Rising above these great events. ard
hovering about US as actcrs on that stage
which created these ilIustrious scenes are
the sacred names of the d,aDEafis be,sona4
who played SO well their parts in the
stirring drama Of their heroic times. The
past OF this i,lustrious city looks dowr
upon as in this dedication. 1t will bs
another honor rectrded in the magnifi
cent annals of our matchless city, illus
trious in modern times as the seat of 'ths
greatest naval school in the world, if. il
this reflex of the board. where all ths
world Is stage and men and women II.
actors, there should come forth from these
wings and side-rooms, that which vii
cheer and amuse, teach and strengthen
and nOf fnIis,s.
$50. this evening, Mr.. Mayor. thii
theatre is pledged by its manager and