The Washington herald., 1918-09-08
In the Midst of Fields.

a.
In the Midst of Fields.
The United States Theater" was
located IN the midst OF a clump Of
trees and surrounded by morasses and
fields, some of them being under cul-
tivation. For decorative purposes a
flower garden was planted at the
front entrace. and playgoers reached
the lobby door by passing along a
graveled path flanked by rose bushes
and other exotic plants. in striking
contrast with the electric lighted and
ornamehted fronts of the playhouses
OF today.
One of the most interesting
theaters of old Washington seems
to have been overlooked by local
historians. It was the Canterbury,
located on the south side Of Louis
lana avenue. between Fifth and
Sixth streets. opposite the present
police court. The site Is marked by
a large billboard. as for some
mysterious reason the lot occupied
by the ancient playhouse has re-
mained unoccupied since the build
ing was destroyed by fire about
forty-six years ago. In the period
OF the civil war. from 1851 to 1868,
the Canterbury provided amusement
in the lighter vein for the thousands
of soldiers and temporary residents
in the war congestion and hurly-
burly of that important period.
Patriotism was featured in the old
Canterbury more than fifty years
ago, just as 1t Is being so generally
featured today in the playhouses OF
the nation. A member of the vaude-
VILE stock company OF the Canter-
bury. Mag Mason. made the great
est wartime hit when she sang for
the first time the patriotic song,
Tramp, Tramp. the Boys Are
Marching" Another gem from hel
vocal repertoire was the comic song,
which began.
Wen all drink stone-blind,
Johnnie fill up the bowl"
The chorus recited when Johnnie
Comes Marching Home Again, Hur-
rah, Hurrah."
In those days the stage singers
were modestly attired in street
dress and sang old ballads, mostly
sentimental incidentally. one OF
in tights was known as Lydia
L
Blondes" Her first appearance in
this city was at the old National
Theater. soon after the civil war
had ended. Next came the spectacu-
lar Black Crook" managed by the
greatest leg show" OF ancient or
modern times.
Beer for the Audience.
After the civil war the Canterbury
was given up to melodrana and va
rieties.": the olden designation for
vaudeville. Reanuts, popcorn and
lager beer were sold in the audience
by walters. Preceding each perform
ance a brass band, comprising the
players, headed a street parade con-
sisting Of a line OF boys bearing aloft
big cotton transperencies announcing
the features of the show. For several
weeks, as a boyish prank. about fifty
two years ago. I played the cymbals
in the Canterbury brass band, my in
structions from the leader being to
clang the cymbals whenever the bass
drummer hit his big instrument with
his three-pound drumstick.
Among the melodramas given, as l
recall them, were: Jack Shepard"
Mick WHITES, the Trapper." Claude
Duvall. the English Highwayman"
and others equally mellow. 1t was in
the Canterbury I first heard the pop
ular songs. ION the Beach at Long
Branch" Capt jerks of the Horse
Marines THE Bells They Go Ring
ing for Sarah" The Southern Refu-
gee" The building had not been in
active use as a theater for several
months and was only rented occa-
sionally to local and travelling trou-
badors. when It was fired by incen-
diaries, according to common report
at that time. Why no structure has
been reared on the site of the Canter-
bury in the central section of the
city, may be treated In a later article.
Mr.. Scrivener recalled that the
Washington Theater was opened at
the northwest corner of Eleventh and
c streets northwest. in the fall of
1904 One OF the early plays at this
house was Wives as They Were and
Maids as They Are.% Several years
later Joseph Jefferson. the elder.
grandfather of Joe Jefferson who be-
came famous as Rip Van Wrinkle,
made his appearance at the Washing
ton Theater as Bob Acres In THE
Rivals" Among the noted men who
attended this venerable playhouse was
Gen. Andrew Jackson, "Old Hickory"
The Washington Theater having
been burned. the site was acquired by
Carusi. who built a new theater known
as the Washington Assembly Rooms,
the doors of which were opened to the
public in 1892. A second Washington
Theater was erected in Louisiana ave-
nue. In 1921. Among the famous actors
and actresses who appeared at this
house were Edwin Forrest, the elder
Jefferson. T. d. Rice. said to have
been the original negro minstrel. and
Fanny Kemble. This playhouse was
afterwards remodeled and renamed
the American Theater.
Origin of National Theater.
The original National Theater was
built in 1s40. and destroyed by fire
in 1s45. In 1862 this playhouse was
rebuilt and opened as Growers
Theater." Again in 1856 It changed
hands and became the National
Theater with Spalding and Rapley as
proprietors. Among the famous
players who occupied the boards OF
this theater in bygone days were John
Wilkes Booth, Joseph Jefferson, Bar
ney Williams, John Mccullough
Maggie Mitchell. Lydia Thompson,
Frank Mayo. Lawrence Barrett,
Lewis James, and Mary Anderson.
The National Theater was totally