The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-25
HISTORY IN ANOLDPLAYBILL
CurioSitieS in
Just Hangs on the Wall Among Numerous
Washington Saloon.

fitted up in the building. but before the
opening severe storm damaged the
scenery. which was en- route from Phil
adelphia to Washington. and an apology
had to be made on the opening night.
The managers were Afessrs. Wignell &
Reinagle. OF the New Theater. Philadel-
phia. who brought their company from
that city The theater was opened in
June and the season closed in September.
The performers were all noted players.
William Warren was born in the city OF
Bath, England. He made his first ap-
pearance on any stage at Chippenham.
Wiltshire. England. as Young Norval in
Douglass" under the management OF
very notorious strolling manager named
Blggs. He made his first appearance on
the American stage at the Chestnut
Street Theater, Philadelphia, IN 1886, as
Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet"
He was one OF the most celebrated rep
.resentatiyes Of Falstafr who ever at
tempted that character in the United
States He married the widow or Mr..
Wigneil, one OF the proprietors, and be-
came manager Of, the Chestnut Street
Theater and the Washington Theater in
Washington. He died in October. 1892,
in Baltimore, Nd.
William b. Wood was born in Mont
real, Canada, May %. 1899. He made his
first appearance on the American stage
at Annapolis, Md, as George Barnwell.
under the management Of Mr. Wignell.
He became one OF the great favorites OF
the stage as q general actor OF ell prin-
cipal characters. but particularly as a
light comedian. He was also lessee and
manager Of the Chestnut Street Theater
in conjunction with Mr.. Warren. He
made his first appearance In New York
IN the part Of De Velmont He sold his
interest in the Chestnut Street Theatep
10 his partner in 1876 and became the
first lessee Of The Arch Street Theater, in
the same city. in 1873 Later he retired
from the profession.
Bernard a Comedian.
John Bernard was born al Portsmouth.
England. in l75s, and was one Of the
most finished comedians Of his age He
was an author as well as an actor. His
first appearance on any stage was at the
village OF Chew Magma. as Jafler in
Venice Preserved" He was for many
years joint manager OF the Plymouth
Theater. England. and made hts first
appearance in London at Coyent Gar
den Theater. as Archer IN Farquar's
comedy OF The Beaux Stratagem" He
made his first appearance on the Ameri-
can stage at Ricketts, Circus. which had
been converted into theater, IN Green
wich street. New York. June !. 1877. as
Goldfish in THE Road 10 Ruin" He
became one OF the managers OF the
Boston Theater in 1876 He returned 10
his native country and died In London
in 1890 He was one OF the founders
and secretary Of the celebrated Beef
steak Club in London.
Thomas Wignell. one Of the managers
OF the United States Theater." was
born in London. He came TO the United
States in 1774. but did not perform then.
When Congress recommended that all
places Of amusement be closed and the
John Street Theater Company. OF New
York. went 10 Jamaica, In the West In
dies, Mr.. Wignell went with It.
He returned 10 the United States after
the Revolution and made his first ap-
pearance on the American stage az the
John Street Theater in 17S5 as Joseph
Surface in THE School for Scandal"
He died in Philadelphia in 1893
William Francis was born in England
He made his first appearance on the
American stage as a dancer at AnnapO-
Is IN E93. He was an excellent repre-
sentative OF old men. He was also
known as a teacher Of dancing at whose
seminary three-fourths OF the leaders OF
fashion in Philadelphia learned the hop.
step. and jump. He acted in New York
In 1876 a. Ricketts, Circus, IN Greenwich
street. on September % 1875. in a pub
lie notice TO his Washington friends, he
pathetically announced that the infirmi-
ties Of age compelled him 10 withdraw
from those duties which had been hts
pride for so many years. He died in
Philadelphia in 1926.
Mr.. Cain was born at Deptford, near
London. He made his first appearance
on the American stage at the Chestnut
Street Theater. Philadelphia, during the
season OF 1799-lsO0.
Mr. Hopkins made his first appearance
on any stage in Philadelphia. March 16.
1900. at the Chestnut Street Theater. as
Toney Lumpkin In 'She Stops to Con-
Quer"
Mr.. owen Morris made his first appear
aEce on the American stage in Philadel-
phia in 1873 al the old South Street Thea
ter. but in what character is not known
He acted in New York IN 1859 as Lord
Stanley. in Richard the Third" He
died in Philadelphia in November 1909
Mrs Merry, whose maiden name was
Ann Bruntou. was born in Bristol. Eng
land, May 30. 1863. She married Robert
Merry. q lieutenant in the Horse Guards.
and known in literature as Della Crus-
ca" He was an amateur playwright
and man OF letters. She was the first
actress of eminence 20 cross the At
lantic and she made her first appearance
on the American stage at the Chestnut
Street Theater. Philadelphia. on Deem
Der 5, 1886, as Juliet in Shakespeare's
ance in New York was on August 70.
1897. as Belvidera In Venice Preserved"
at Ricketts, Circus, in Greenwich street
She made her first appearance on any
stage in the city Of Bristol. England. as
Euphrasia in THE GreCian Daughter
and in London. in 17Sj, as Horatia in
The Roman Father al Coyent Gar
den Theater.
Mr.. Merry died in Baltimore IN 17gS and