Evening star., 1934-04-15

Illuminated N token of the surrender of Lees
army at Appomattox, just five days before
"Our American Cousin" was comparatively
new play when it was being performed at Fords
Theater on the night of April IA, 1865 having
had its initial performance at Laura Keenes
Theater New York ON october 18, 1858.
FREQUENTLY the best source of information
l for settling upon dates and for the obtaining
of facts the early newspapers, and SO in his
quest for information the writer sought the files
of the New York daily papers. Here he was
rewarded by finding a write-up on the original
production of the play, together with its hrst
cast, follows:
Laura Keene's Theater GA Broadway.
"The necessary arrangements for the produce
ton of Tom Taylors new and original three
act comedy having been completed, the man.
agement would respectfully inform the public
that the first representation OF Our American
Cousin, which piece has been written especially
for this theater by one of the most popular
dramatists of the period, and never before acted
on any stage, will take place on Monday eve
ming, october 18, 1858, with new scenery, ap-
propriate costumes, properties, appointments,
etc, and cast comprising within its limits
nearly the entire strength OF the comedy
company"
Then follows the original cast: Asa Trench
arQ uVe YANKEE, Ar. JeII6ISOL5 OH EINdIo
Trenchard Hampshire baronet, Mr. Varrey;
Lord Dundreary, Mr.. Sothern; Lieut.. Vernon,
r. N, Mr.. Levick; Capt. de Boots, Mr.. Clinton;
Coyle, attorney-at-law Mr. Burnett; Abel Muir
colt, his clerk, Mr.. Couldock Binney, butler,
Mr.. Peters; Buddicombe, Lord Dundreary's
man, Mr.. McDonail; Rasper, a groom Mr..
Wharton John Wicker, an under gardener, Mr..
B. Brown: Florence Trenchard, Miss Laura
Keene; Mrs. Mountchessington, Miss Mary
mon; Georgiana, Mrs. Sothern; Mary Meredith,
Miss Sara Stevens; Sharpe, Miss Trenchard's
maid, Miss Flynn; Skillet, Mrs. MountcheSsing-
tons maid, Mrs. Levick.
The play was in three acts and proved great
success. 1t made reputation for Jefferson
and the elder Sothern, who created their
respective parts of Asa Trenchard and Lord
Dundreary and fame for Miss Keene, the
Florence Trenchard of the play.
4 Ar. JEFFERSON, after the play had long
lVl run at Miss Keene's theater, left the COM
pany to star for himself, and finally met his
greatest success in RIP Van Wrinkle" which
few older folks have not seen. He was especi-
ally popular in Washington, and we'll that he
should have been, for here it is said he was
born, and he does not deny it in his autobio-
graphy, when he says "I may almost say that
I was born in a theater. At all events, my
earliest recollections are entirely connected with
one: it was rickety old frame building with a
broad gable, facing a wide avenue and sit
uated in the City of Washington The door
from our back entry opened upon the stage,
and as toddling little chap in a short frock
I was allowed full run of the place"
This reference by Mr.. Jefferson is evidently
to the old Circus Building, on street be-
tween John Marshall Place and Sixth street,
which was demolished in August, 1898. to make
room for an addition to Havenner's Bakery.
The Washington Theater-that is, the one
erected in 1921 on Louisiana avenue to the
north of the Circus Building-was a brick
structure, and would not fit the description OF
the building remembered by Mr.. Jefferson from
his childhood days. ..- l.. ..
An old-timer, about the time the c street
building was being razed, said to Star
reporter: r2f'.. s5
IT remember seeing Joseph Jefferson and
his father and mother playing in walkers cir.