New-York tribune., 1905-08-26
OLD PLAYHOUSE PASSES.
PARK, BROOKLYN, CLOSED.
O7cners Cancel Lease Rather than
Make Repairs Ordered.

The cancellation of lease of the Park Theatre.
opposite the Borough Hall. Brooklyn. which has
been held by Hyde Behman for eight nine
years because the estate of Felix Campbell owner
of the property, is willing TO undertake the
pense of the alterations ordered by the Board OF
Health and Fire Department means, without much
question the end of this the oldest regularly estab
lshed playhouse in Brooklyn. 1t was not only the
first established home of the drama in Brooklyn.
but was the leading playhouse there for many
years. and most Of the stars of a quarter of
century ago were seen on it's stage
Although the Park Theatre was built In 1863 and
was an old fashioned playhouse in many ways,
much money had been expended In improvements
and in complying with the laws pertaining to the
sa1ety OF theatre patrons Only two years ago a
consldera bic amount OF money was spent IN widen
ing the Foyer ana main entrance. This year, how
ever. Commissioner Darlington had ordered
Der Of improvements and changes including the
installation of tank and automatic sprinkler APP
Neither William H. Good Adrian T. Herman
Rno aLe the estate could pe found IN
what their plans for the property are The site is
The Tribune received the following telegram
from Richard Hyde, of Hyde & Behman, yes
terday. f,-
The owners of the Park Theatre, by clause in
our lease which gave them the power 70 cancel
or other public departments be too expensive TO
comply with. have taken such action and cancelled
the lease.
Neither Mr.. Hyde Mr. Behman was in Brook
lyn last night and none Of their representatives, YES
lease. 1t could not be learned just how extensive
the improvements were that had been ordered by the
Rght cost soo6 HYDE g Behman have had had their
general offices on the second floor OF the building
probably be determined when Mr. Hyde arrives in
Brooklyn this morning. Workmen were engaged
in taking of their property out or the theatre
yesterday afternoon.
Every arrangement had been made for the COM
ing season at the Park Theatre when the Board
of Health issued its ultimatum 1t had been ad-
vertised that the house would open with the play
Lost in q Big City last Monday night. The
playbills had been put around the borough and
a number Of tickets had been sold. The bills were
covered up and the tickets were redeemed.
Gabriel Harrison the first manager OF the
Park Theatre. which opened September H.
York The auditorium, which seated loo per
sons, was the second floor, a salt water swim
that Mr. Harrison introduced for the first time on
any stage in the country the sunken footlight In
The following year Mr.. Harrison failed in an at
tempt to produce operas and the house was Leased
successfully with high class productions for several
years until the Brooklyn Theatre was built Tor
them. In 1873 A. r. Samuells leased the Park The
atre and dropped the parquette floor 10 a Level
with the street. The following year Edward Lamb
was the lessee, and such stars as John Brougham
and John f Owens appeared
Colonel William E. Sim. who. afterward man
aged the Montauk Theatre. took hold Of the Park
Theatre in 1879, opening II with variety company
others Two yearg later ne started the production
OF high class drT matte works, and had the best
stars In the cojntry~in English opera, well as in
comedy and tragedy. 1t is said that every great
actor actress for twenty years, except J0hn NC
Culough and Henry Irving, appeared at the Park
Sykes there when she was stricken with her fatal
After Colonel sinn gave up the Park Theatre to
devote himself to the Montauk Theatre II was
that a variety show might be opened. which might
interfere with their vaudevle house, just in the
in Adams-st They sublet 1t Tor some years to
a number of stock companies including the Baker
and the sPooner companies For several seasons
priced drama there.