Evening star., 1931-12-20

sion, sang Paynes immortal piece-"Home
Sweet Home" Among the most distinguished
visitors to this theater was Gen. Lafayette
who attended q performance here in Decem-
Der, 1924
On Christmas night. 1885, this playhouse be-
came the American Theater, and in 1841 it was
converted into two spacious assembly rooms
which, on March of that year, were used for
the inaugural ball of William Henry Harrison
However. theatrical performances continued to
be held there off and on for a number of years
afterward. On Friday, July 49, 1869 it was
destroyed by fire and never rebuilt previous
to which 1t was for awhile known as Canterbury
Hall
HE next theater to be erected and the one
OF which we probably know most, was the
National Theater, of which the fifth by that
name now occupies the site. The first of these
theaters was opened December 7, 1885 and the
nrst play performed was the comedy, THE Man
OF the World followed by the musical farce
Iurn Out Looking. over the files of the Ma
tional 1ntelligencer, the writer found the fol-
lowing item referring to the opening:
The new and magnificent establishment
was finely patronized on Monday evening De-
cember 7, 1885, by a very full house The
parquet and boxes were filled with ladies and
gentlemen, and the tout ensemble must have
formed highly gratifying coup d'oen' to the
SPIRITED manager, precursor, it is hoped, of
providing he realizes the assurance and prom
ises which he has made
IEe form OF the first tier of boxes is en-
peulshed with slight sketches in imitation of
bas- relief, and surrounded by corresponding
ornaments representing brilliant events in
maritime history, discovery and naval achieve
ments- The second tier of boxes is ornamented
In similar style, referring to victories, treaties
agriculture, etc. The proScenium shows the
same coors and style of ornaments In the
arch thereof is a representation of the Decla-
ration of Independence, supported on the wings
OF Time. The curtain displays an equestrian
statue OF Washington in front of rich drapery,
which Is partly drawn aside and displays the
Tomb of Washington, Mount Vernon, etc. 1t
Is intended as substitute for the green cur
tain and the change will doubtless be ap-
proved of. The machinery and stage arrange
mentS all excellent cf their kind are by Mr.
Warden; and the whole lighted by new
and splendid lamps made expressly for this
establishment"
THE first National 1heater was destroyed by
fire in ls45, and the next three to fol-
low met similar fate in 1857, 1873 and 1885
A history of this theater no doubt would fill
several large volumes, end would prove decid-
edly interesting to large number of Wash
ingtonans who have found recollections of
plays which have been performed there, and of
actors who have performed there to tie de-
light of ALL and Of other events, such as school
and university conmencemcnts which have
taken place there and of which they were a
part.
The National when first built was leased to
haywood, Rowbotham ard Platt of the Chest
nut Street Theatre, Philadelphia. This building
was destroyed by fire on March S. 1845 the
evening after the inaugural ball of President
Polk was held there. Burton was then the
naIaser.
In 1850, temporary building called Ma
etonal Hall, was erected on the site, probably
at the expense of Messrs. Willard and Reeside,
for the accommodation of Jenny Lind-"the
Swedish Nigh tirgale." After this the build
ing was reconstructed by w. H. wnder the
owner, and again opened in 1851. as the Ma
Gonal Theater, by E. A. Marshall.
In 1856 it passed into the hands of John T.
Ford, with whom were associated MeSsrS. Kun
kel and Monley. But it was not to remain
standing long, for on February g. 1857 it was
again destroyed by fire, and was rebuilt in 1862
by Spauldng and Rapley, who leased it to
Leonard Grover WHO ran it as Growers Ma
tional Theater, and opened it as such on Feb
ruary %, of that year, with The Serious Fam
n.y. c. D. Hess, who resided at the Seaton
House, succeeded Grover and ra, il until April
IA, 1865.
On January 28 1873, when tne tneater was
being managed by John G.. Savlle, it was
again destroyed by fire 1t was Immediately
rebuilt. and Saville continued to manage it
until 1875, VIXEN John T. Ford became the
lessee and manager, being succeeded in 1879
by John W. Albaugh, who remained as its
manager until 1884 when it passed to the
control of Messrs. Rapley and Kinsley, who
were the managers when the thecter was de-
stroyed again by FIRE ca February 27, 1885
h lot long since Miss Rainey gave the writer
v some old prcsrsms of performances given
at this theater and by them we find that dur
ing the week of October 5, 1874 Mime. Janau-
schek, the great tragedienne of that period was
playing there Mary Stuart, Queen CT Scots"
''The Lorgnette," the program is called tells
us in its notes:
The ng-looked-for races between the Ana
hcat