New Britain herald., 1923-03-10
George ID. Morgan of Lib
erty Street, Only Living
Member, Recalls Days
When New Britain Had
No Theaters.

In the year of 1870 New Britain
was too small a town TO boast Of a
theater and II was a rare occasion
when a travelling road show played
here in one OF the many halls or at
the town hall. Today New Britain
boasts of four theaters, three OF which
are equipped SO that road productions
could play here, but 1t is still rare
occasion when local theatergoers are
given an opportunity to see a good
musical show or drama in their own
home town.
There was period OF years be-
tween 1870 and the present time,
however, when good road productions
played here. The people in 1870
wanted to see good shows but there
was not enough interest among the
residents of the town to bring an at
traction here.
Society Founded
As result the famous Histrionic
society was organized in that year and
for period of Is years presented 10
the natives of this town many of the
best dramas Of those days. The HIS
trionic society was founded by rs
New Britain residents interested in
drama and the amusement of the
public.
Several plays a year, sometimes
there were four of them and another
season seven would be presented,
were given by this society, first in
what was known as Union hall, where
Turner hall is now located, and later
in Hanna's hall, where the Palace
theater is now located.
One Member Still Living
George Morgan of rs Liberty street
is the only living member of that as
ISOLATION and when interviewed at his
place of business on Main street by
a Herald representative he recalled
the days when that organization pre-
sented such well known plays as
"David Garrick," kathleen Mavour-
neen.' Among the Beades,' Ship
mate" 1.-The Green Mountain Boy"
HANDY Andy" way Down East"
"Oliver Twist" "Uncle Toms Cabin"
and East Lynn
Because the plays were so success.
full the company often times were re-
ouested to tour many surrounding
towns including Unionyille. Bristol,
Plainville, Southington and Meriden.
Frank Seymour, the only member
OF the society to continue the work In
professional lines, George Stewart. |
William Rally. Arthur Slate, A. S.
Judd. George Jones George Morgan i
w. w. Fenton and William Butler
were the first eight men to appear in
a production of the Histrionic society
he ~
care Of the business end of the game,
making arrangements for the rental
Of a hail. ordering tickets. arranging
the stage and securing the required
properties to complete the stage set
tings
No Women in Society.
For some reason or another, Mr..
Morgan said, it was very hard work
to secure young women to become
members OF the society and act in the
plays. AS result it was necessary
to send to a professional booking
agent in New York for women to
appear in the histrionic shows.
The society was in existence here
for Is years but after this length OF
time the organization disbanded as
many of it's members moved from
town, some we're claimed by death
and soon the first theater was erect
ed. This meant that New York road
productions would appear here and
the demand for the histrionic So
ciety plays was not as great as be-
fore.
Mr.. Morgan appeared Indifferent
when the moving pictures and the
theater entertainments of modern
times were discussed by the Herald"
reporter. He did admit that some
very good moving pictures have been
produced but does not believe that
the movies will ever take the place of
good legitimate shows
Copy OF Original Program.
Several of the programs of the
plays presented as early as 1870 have
been saved by Mr.. Morgan and fol-
Mountain Boy program given on
Thursday evening, February 20, 1873:
The Green Mountain Boy.
With the following cast:
Mr.. Tomkins with dyspeptic
appetite for loud sounding titles) -
Frank Seymour.
Sandfeld Ga gentleman in search
of his honor which he had lost)--W.
A. Murray.
Edward Merston Ca salty morsel OF
youth who is willing to fight for
his love)-George y. Morgan.
Joe Shakespeare "a love struck
youth of so, 99a9th cousin of the
immortal bard)-W. H. Relyea.
Jedediah Homebred Ga genuine
specimen of Onion River and a pu-
pill of Lindley Murray)--A. i. Slate.
Terrence McNab Ga special idea of
judicial agents employed by Nine
Justice ANDREW Kelly.
Miss Squea mish ian ancient maid !
en- of tender age of so and squeam-
ish enough at that)-Mss Minnie
Alexander.
Ellen Tomkins Ga young lady down p
on title and loves her little lump of
salt)-Miss Emma Cowles
Lucy ian independent Yankee girl
who buys her own clothes)--Miss DE
Elite Cobb.
Selected music-Orion orchestra.