The Washington times., 1905-08-20
Theaters OF Old.
Plauhouses That Were Fa-
nous in New York Gen
erations Aqo-Some Of the
Great Actors That Started
There.

In the last Issue OF the Dramatic Mir
ror. J. J. McCIosk,y gives his recolIec-
lions of the forgotten playhouses of
New York and the famous actors who
played there
The old Park occupied the site of
what was the New York Express build
ing on Park Row, opposite the present
postoffice. In those days. says the writer,
we truant scholars would wend our way
Il Theater alley (stilI known by that
ranle) and watch the player folk hurry
ing to rehearsal. Big Peter Richings,
then New York's glass OF fashion and
mold of form. would push us aside
from the doorway. The Two PIacides,
Harry ana Tom. the Drcmios OF the
profession, salIow of complexion and
stout of limb would follow; then came
CHEEKY old John Fisher with his smile
and Now then. my little men, give us
room. Go home to your mother and tell
her she wants you.
Where Wallack Played
The next well remembered old play
house was the National, at the corner.
OF Church and Leonard streets, now oc-
cupied by a dry goods house. Originally
+ was built for an opera house and for
a season or TWO the experiment was
tried but It failed to catch the non
musical society folks of old New York,
and J ". Wallaek. ST., then in the re
NTH OF his popularity. leased the opera
house, and it was known Till its de-
Strucuon about the year 1872 or 1913 as
the National Theater. II WAS the homo
of those romantic dramas that made
the name and fame OF g1he Wallack to
be known as the oest exponent OF do
zlestio and romantic drama living.
Billy Williams was the low comedian of
the National I have seen the acting of
all our great light comedians. including
Murdoch. Harry Perry and J. X. AForti-
ner, but j. S. Browne outtopped them
all, and that was no light task, either
After lis destruction the National was
rebuilt BY one Mr.. Wilson a tragedian;
Int his season was shortlsved- Then W.
=. Burton. OF The Arch Street Theater,
Philadelphia, took the National for the
production Of the ever popular Made
Queen, introducing Charlotte Cushman
as the water nymph-
Aaron Burr's Residence
My next recollection was the Rich
mond Hill Theatre. situated on the cor
ner OF Yarick and CharIton-streets. The
building was Of the Colonial type and
was formerly the residence OF the
famous Aaron Burr. ex-Yiee President of
the United States and the slayer of his
inveterate foe, Alexander Hamilton.
Niblos Garden. occupying the block
ON the east side of Broadway from
Prince to Houston. is well known TO the
graybeards OF old New York; like Vaux-
hall Garden. which stood on the grounds
now occupied by the Astor Library. i'm
rnediately opposite 10 Cooper Institute,
both dispensed soft drinks and lee cream
to the visitors while listening 10 the
strains Of the orchestra.
Only One Left.
OF all the old playhouses but one re-
mains. the Old BowerY, now known as
the ThaHa. What history is in it's life
from 1890 to 1857 Scarcely an actor of
any celebrity in the United States but
won his spurs on the boards of the Old
Bowery. Away back 10 the days OF
Duff. Hamblin, Ingersoll and Thorne.
ST, within the walls OF the old house
the heroic voices Of ]. r. Scott, Edwin
Forrest, Edwin Eddy. Lester Wallack.
William Whally. J. B. Study and host
OF others now forgotten have been heard.
There the humorous BIZ Gates. the
unctuous George Fox, the versatile Fan
ny Herring. the popular favorite, Mrs.
W. 6. Jones. have all played to admir-
ing audiences But the old home Of the
drama win hear then no more. Save one
or two. all have passed away. and Yid-
dish only is heard within those old
walls now. where the English language
in all its purity was the rule OF other
days.
Old Broadway Theater.
Two doors from the corner Of
Worth, the site Of Tefft, Weller & Co S
large dry goods warehouse, stood the
original Broadway TheateT. I say orig
inaI. for there were two others that
took the name II few years later The
old Broadway was the model playhouse
of America II was built BY Col. Alva
Manus . retired circus manager. Col
onei Mann gave instruction TO the arch
ttect and buiIaers 70 erect q theater