The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-05-26
~ DRAMA.
First or the Big Beasts Exhibited I'm tint
Country was q star Performer.

FNJt VI tbC Nbtb IN0utU ht Wv
Country was q Star Performer.
With the modern circus the trained ele-
plants are as ~inseparable in the minds Of
most patrons Of the tented arena as the
graceful riders themselves. yet the first
performing elephant 70 be introduced 10
this country was not connected with a
circus. says the Philadelphia Public Ledger,
but made its debut as a theatrical star.
This famous and now forgotten animal
wa the heroine Of a drama specially written
to show of It's powers, Of
II was in January. 1881. that this marvel
lous pachyderm. heralded with g. blast of
press agents notices equalled only by the
announcements some years later for the
coming OF Jenny Lind, was first shown
to American audiences. AS the beast was
landed in New York that city naturally
had the first taste Of its histrionic powers.
Two Philadelphia managers fought for
possession Of the star and the newspapers
and ~cartoonists Of the time kept the public
informed Of avery phase Of the quarrel
as II proceeded.
John Gallot, a French an imal trainer,
who the previous year had made a big
success with his elephant named Mile.
d'Jick" in London and the English prov
inces, brought the beast TO this country.
While the elephant was performing a three
weeks engagement in New York city in
"The Elephant OF Siam and the Fire Fiend, n
described as a magnificent Eastern drama, "
Lamb 4 Coyle, managers Of the Chestnut
Street Theatre, sent an agent over to the
neighboring city TO secure the prize for their
houSs
Unfortunately, in their haste to outstrip
their rivals the Chestnut Street managers
overstepped the mark. Their agent had
neglected 10 sign an agreement with the
! proprietor Of the "star." haywood, the
manager OF the Arch street house, did not
10 about the business 80 hurriedly, but
secured the elephant by signing tt oon-
ract.
The PLAY in which the elephant took part
was Of no dramatic Importance. There
was some chance for the comedians and
the elephant. and Il is presumed both
made the most Of IL. There were process
slons In which the elephant. appeared and
In one scene the animal toseed of several
banquet Apart from his the play was
i~ngehiously constructed 10 give the great
beast o real part 70 play,
In the first act the elephant enters as
one Of the conspirators 10 about 10 murder
the Prince by placing him In the tomb Of
the 0eparUe0 hOtuTCN, oLu, uOOOIdiHH 10
the stage directions. by a o bars their
progress He also ~.looeens the stone
the heir. AZ the close Of the second act
he selects the rightful heir to the throne.
He advances, takes the crown on the
head OF Korrassan (the uHurper) and places
IL on the head OF Alpanzor." He also
takes up Almanzor with his trunk and
bears him Of In triumph
The rightful heir, however, lie not yet out
Of the woods. Through the greater Fart
OF the next act the 'nre lend" and con-
spirators generally are after him. They
finally capture him and place him In a
chest 10 smother quietly. But the faith
full sacred elephant enters. approaches
the chest and lifts up the lid. when Al
manor is discovered almost expiring" In
order TO revive him. the elephant gathers
oranges from the trees which surround
the spot and presents them to the Prince. y
The faithful beast then picks up the trunk
OF q tree and strikes q gong" thus giving
an alarm, II is not difficult TO see the
finale. Inc Prince 10 saved, tine cun-
spirators are captured and the elephant
10 worhlpped.