The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 113

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 113

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1 Mies RIDDLE mads her debut in the Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, in 1823. After playing many seasone in New York, Boston, and other cities, as a great favorite, che retired from the stage for several years, but returned to it at Laura Keene's Theatre, in 1866, as Mrs. Smith. Her last engagement was at Howard's Athenaeum, Boston, where she died in 1861. She was a lady of eminent and spotless character.

# Mr. SCOTT Was a very large man, and was known among the pleygoers as "Fatty Scott." He was a fine actor, as the writer can testify, as he has often seen him on the stage of the old Ohatham Theatre, where Scott made his appearance on the 10th of May, 1825. He often performed the part of

Thus we have the record of the first dramatic per- formance in the City of Brooklyn, with stage, scenery and decorations in full, and for a consecutive number of nights with success.

Mrs. Chester's coffee-house was situated on Front street, east side, and was known at the time as 28 and 30 Front street. The coffee-house consisted of two frame buildings, made into one, with a large room on the second floor, which was appropriated for balls and public meetings and the same as was used on the occa- sion of the dramatic performances above mentioned.

1828 .- The Amphitheatre .- The next event of importance in the dramatic history of Brooklyn was the erection of an Amphitheatre, on leased ground in Fulton street, east side, between Nassau and Concord streets. The ground was broken for this building on the 22d of May, 1828. Its front was of brick, while the theatre itself was mostly of frame. It was erected by Charles W. Sandford, lawyer, of New York City, and for many years Major-General of the First Division of the New York State Militia. At the time he erected the Amphitheatre he was the manager and owner of the Lafayette Theatre and the Mount Pitt Circus, New York. His object in the erection of the Brooklyn theatre was to find use at times for a portion of his over-full company. This was the first building ever erected in Brooklyn for theatrical purposes. The wife of Mr. Sandford was an actress ot superior ability, and a vocalist of remarkable skill and sweetness of voice. Her representation of the part of Clari in Payne's opera of "The Maid of Milan " was a splendid performance, and was repeated many times to crowded houses in the City of New York.

The above Amphitheatre was first opened to the public on the evening of July 17th, 1828, with great feats of horsemanship. Among the company were the celebrated Richie, De Forest, Whittaker and Master Alexander ; boxes 50 cents, pit 25 cents ; open at 7, commence at 8 o'clock. The Brooklyn Star remarks that the new theatre " was a plain building, suited to convenience rather than show. The drop curtain was beautiful and the scenery very fine. The ring for the horsemanship was directly in front of the orchestra, while the seats for the occupants of the pit were under the boxes." On the evening above mentioned, the melo- drama of the " Broken Sword " was performed. " It was well done, and attracted the silent and orderly attention of the audience." The performances were

"Fitz James," to H. Wallack's "Roderick Dhu," in the drama of "The Lady of the Lake." Scott was born in Philadelphia, and died in New York, in 1849. He was not related to the celebrated J. R. Scott.

§ Mr. WALSTEIN was born in New York, made his first appearance at the Chatham Garden Theatre in 1825. He was a good actor and had a fine per- snnal appearance for the stags. He died in Philadelphie in 1836.

| Mrs. WALSTEIN was the sister of the celebrated Mrs. Barnes. She made her debut, at the Old Park Theatre, New York, April 17th, 1815, in the char- acter nf the " Nurse," in " Romeo and Juliet." Shs became so large a person that she wee unfitted for the stage. She retired from the profession Jenu- ary the 8th, 1839, and died in New York, April 1st, 1855.

1109

THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.

given two or three times a week, and for a while did rather well, through the attendance of country people of the Island coming in to see the circus. On August 14th, Mr. Richie took a benefit. This was the last night of the season. September 5th, the place re-opened as the Brooklyn Theatre. The ring was removed ; the company was excellent. The following pieces were performed, commencing with the musical drama of " The Poor Soldier," and the foilowing cast :

Patrick (with songs), Mr. Gainer; Darby (with two songs), Mr. Roberts; Dermont (with a song), Mr. Blakely; Captain Fitzroy, Mr. Nsilson; Father Luke, Mr. Quin; Bagatelle, Mr. Walstein; Boy, Miss Fisher; Norah (with songs), Mrs Sandford; Cathleen, Mrs. Fisher; after which the laughable farce of the " SLEEP WALKER ": Somino, Mr. Roberts (in which character will be given imitations of Messrs. Kean, Macready, Hilson, Simpson and Cooper) ; Sir Patrick Maguire, Mr. De Camp ; Scilly, Mr. Blakely; Squire Rattlepate, Mr. Woodhull ;* Mrs. De C., Mrs. Walstein; Ellen, Mrs. Fisher.

The Miss FISHER, mentioned in the above cast be- came the well-known favorite, Miss ALEXINA FISHER,

* JACOB WOODHULL, whose real name was Hull, was at one time one of the most noted and remarkabie men connected with the drama in New York. He made his first appearance upon the public stage at the old Park Thestre, in 1816, in the character of Jafier, in "Venice Preserved," made a Bnccese, and soon became a valuable addition to the Park company. He was an educated and lively-hearted gentleman, and of versatile talents, alwaye ready to do a favor, and made every one his friend whom he met. One of the best critice of New York remarked " that no one man on the stage could poesihly fill Mr. Woodhull's place as a versatile actor, and that while he was one of the most useful men to & manager, still he was the most ill-ueed actor that ever trod the boarde of a theatre. His good nature was imposed upon, as he would consent to perform any part that would accommodate the management. He played the blood-thirsty villain, misers and young ependthrifte, graybeards and lovers, walking gentlemen, soldiers, sailors, Iriehmen, Scotchmen, Dutchmen, Jewe, Gentiles, Turks, Indian savages, the heroes of dramas, and all with perfect satisfaction to his audi- ence. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, he went through hie performances of all these various characters, with more propriety and rationality than many would-be stars." Mr. Woodhull pos- sessed a remarkable memory, an secertion which one anecdote told of him will serve to illustrate. "One evening, after the performance, while standing in a saloon with eome gentlemen, enjoying a social intercourse, one of the party inquired of Mr. Woodhull, "How is it possible to commit to memory 80 many parts in eo short a time ?" Woodhull replied it gave him no trouble whatever ; that he had frequently committed a character by once reading it. This the gentleman doubted so emphatically that Mr. Woodhull immedi- ately offered to wager a champagne supper for the party there and then on the epot, that after reading a column of advertisements from any newspaper only once over he could repeat the whole letter-perfect. The wager was accepted, and Mr. Woodhull was the winner." On another occasion, one of the actors failing to appear at night to perform the character of Ludovico, in Sheilds' tragedy of "Evadne," he, on arriving at the theatre, was requested to take the delinquent'e place. He consented to do so if the management would keep the curtain down while he had time to read over the words of the first act, and eo on, between each act, that he might have a chance for study. This, with the little time he had between the scenes in which Ludovico does not appear, was all the time he had to commit this difficult blank verse part. And yet it is stated that he not only performed the part without a eingle prompting, but to the applause of the audience and the astonishment of all the company around him. It was for Mr. Woodhull's benefit at the Park Theatre, New York, in 1826, that Edwin Forrest made his first appearance before a New York audience. He performed the part of Othello, and carried the house by storm. He was at that time a stock actor at Albany, N. Y., and was allowed this opportunity to do his friend Woodhull & service. The occasion made Forrest, as it was not long after he was prevailed on to play & star engagement at the Bowery Theatre, where he made a great success, and soon had his pay raised from forty dollare a week to two hundred dollars a night. Mr. Forrest himself told the writer these facts, and spoke of Woodhull in high praise. Mr. Woodhull left the Park company in 1832, and went with Mr. Barne as etage manager of the Richmond Hills Theatre, N. Y., but the cholera, whose firet terrible vieitation occurred in that year, caused his death on the 3let of August, when he was only forty years of age. He was born in Greenwich street, New York City, 1792.

and turned the heads and hearts of all the men who saw her. They became wild in admiration of her beauty, fine acting in comedy, and sweetness of voice in singing.

It appears that a company from New York advertised a performance to take place at the Amphitheatre on the night of Sept. 23d; money was taken in at the doors, and the audience, after waiting for nearly an hour for the curtain to go up, discovered that neither actors, or treasurer could be found ; on which the en- raged audience took satisfaction by commencing to pull the building to pieces, and did much injury before the constables could quell the disturbance. The advertise- ment did not mention who were the managers. The press and people of Brooklyn looked upon it as a shame- ful swindle. This had the effect of keeping all man- agers away from Brooklyn, and nothing occurred in the dramatic line for a number of years. The Amphi- theatre was numbered among the things of the past, and so ended the first attempt to give the drama a local habitation in Brooklyn.

1840 .- Colonnade Garden .- A new place of amusement made its appearance in Brooklyn under this name, and was located on Brooklyn Heights, on Col- umbia street, opposite to Pineapple street, on August 6th. The vaudeville of "The Lady and the Devil " was presented, with Mr. Graham and Mr. Charles in the cast. " The Rendezvous " was the after-piece. The stage and scenery of this place was of temporary construction. Several performances were given by good actors, but the dramatic part of the garden soon came to a final exit.

1842 .- June 29th, Mr. WALCOTT* made an at- tempt to introduce the drama at the Colonnade, and appeared as "Hector Timid," in the "Dead Shot." Mr. Collins, the Irish comedian, also appeared on the same little stage.

1844 .- Some actors from New York fitted up the long room at City Hotel, Fulton street, with some scenery, and performed the drama of the " Drunkard;" the enterprise was a failure. The drama in Brooklyn now became perfectly dead, until

1848 .- When, in November, Mr. GEORGE WALDO HILL, a personal friend of the writer, made an attempt to establish the drama in Brooklyn. He became the lessee of the large frame building that stood in the grounds of "Military Garden," Dufion's old place, and known at the time as the "City Hotel." The beauty of the old garden had been destroyed for many years

*Mr. WALCOTT Was a great favorite at Mitchell's Olympic Theatre in New York; was for several years a member of Mr. Wallack's Company. His perform- ance of " Lavator," in Planche's comic drama of that name, was a master performance. He was the author of " Hiawatha, or the Ardent Spirits," and "Laughing Water," " Washington," "Giovanni in Gotham." "David Copperfield," "Richard the Third to Kill," " The Customs of the Country," and "Snips Snaps," all excellent burlesques. He was born in London, Eng- land, 1816, and died in Philadelphia, May 13, 1868.

1110

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

past by the encroachment of buildings on the adjacent streets, which had left only the centre part, containing a few bushes and the building alluded to. Mr. John Tremble, the celebrated theatre architect, transformed this building (known as the Assembly Rooms) into a beautiful little theatre, with a parquette and a balcony circle, with seats for six hundred people. Mr. Hill was under the impression he could make the place pay under the form of a " Dramatic Asso- ciation." There were a few unprofitable performances given, when he closed the place for a few weeks and re-opened it as a theatre, on the 19th of December, with a small stock company of but little merit. This second attempt soon became a failure, and the place remained closed until

1849 .- When, June 11th, it was opened with a good company. The pieces were the "Youthful Queen," Count De Odenstein, by Mr. Bass. On the 12th, " Charles the II," Bass as Captain Copp. On the 16th, " The Dead Shot" and "Wandering Minstrel," with Bass in the leading characters. On the 18th, Mr. Walcott, of " Mitchell's Olympic Theatre," New York, appeared as " Jeremiah Clip" in "The Widow's Victim." Friday, the 22d, Miss Fanny Wallack ap- peared as " Pauline," in the "Lady of Lyons," with John Dyott as " Claude," and Bass as "Col. Dumas ;" this was a splendid cast. Saturday, 28th, " Naval En- gagements." On the 26th, " The Married Rake" and "Brooklyn in Slices," with T. B. Johnston in the casts. As a summer season experiment, it was a fail- ure. September 29th the place was opened again, with Barney Williams as "O'Rafferty," in "Born to Good Luck," and the after-piece of the "Secret," with the celebrated GEORGE HOLLAND as "Thomas." This was the gentleman whom a professed Christian minister refused to do funeral service over, because he was an actor, and whose name became prominently associated with "The Little Church Around the Corner." On the 24th of September, J. R. Scott* made his first ap- pearance before a Brooklyn audience. He performed the character of "Michael " in the drama of the " Adopted Child." There were not over a dozen per- formances given, and the place was closed as an utter failure.

In November, 1849, the writer was induced to play six nights. The engagement was accepted with the understanding that they should be made subscription nights and giving two performances a week. The plan was adopted, and made to pay. The piece se-

lected for the opening night was the tragedy of "EVADNE ":

Ludovico, Gabriel Harrison; Colonna, Mr. McDonald; King of Naples, Mr. Connor; Vicentio, Mr. De Forest ; Spalatro, Mr. Rogers; Evadne, Miss Mason; Olivia, Miss Norton.

On the second night, " Damon and Pythias," with McDonald as "Damon," and Harrison as "Pythias." Third night, " Rolla," Mr. Harrison; " Pizzaro," Mr. McDonald. Fourth night, "The Wife," with Mr. Harrison as "Julian St. Pierre." Fifth night, Harrison as "William Tell." Sixth night, as " Carwin."

1850 .- The Brooklyn Museum .- Messrs. Chanfrau* and Burke (according to their advertisement) " caused to be erected " a large brick building on the northwest corner of Fulton and Orange streets, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, which they called the " Brooklyn Museum," containing a collection of pic- tures, stuffed beasts and birds. On the top floor was a room fitted up with a stage and scenery, styled a "lecture room," for the representation of " chaste and moral dramas. This "lecture room " was nothing less than a pretty little theatre. The Museum opened its doors for the first time on Monday evening, July 1st, 1850, with the following company and pieces :- " THE GAMBLER'S FATE."

Mr. Derance, Mr. C. Burke; Augustus, Mr. D. P. Bowers; Amelia, Mrs. D. P. Bowers; Louisa, Miss Smith. Concluding with the Farce of "THE DUMB BELLE." Vivian, Mr. Bowers; 0'Smirk, Mr. Burke; Eliza, Mrs. Bowers. Price of admission, 25 cents.

On the second day of the opening, performances were given on afternoon and evening. The manage- ment continued the stock company till July 29th. Mr. Couldock commenced a star engagement as "The Stranger," with Mrs. Bowers as Mrs. Haller. He played for a few nights, when the Museum suddenly closed its doors for the want of support. The edifice was the finest place of amusement that had hitherto been given to the Brooklyn public, and deserved a far better success. The building was owned by Mr. Cam- meyer. "Kimberly's Minstrels" reopened the place on the 26th of August, with little or no success.

Chanfrau and Burke made another attempt at the management of the Museum, and re-opened it Septem- ber 9th, with a splendid stock company. Charles Dib- din Pitt played a star engagement for one week, open- ing in " Hamlet;" on September 16th, Mr. Charles Kemble Mason appeared as a star. September 23d, on the same night, T. D. Rice gave the people of Brooklyn a taste of his peculiar genius in the character of " Jumbo Jum." On the 30th, Mr. W. H. Reeves, an English singer of fine ability, appeared in scenes from the operas of "Maritana " and the "Love Spell."

* J. R. SOOTT was an actor of splendid ability. In such characters as "Rob Roy," and " William," in " Black Eyed Susan," he was unsurpassed. He had a splendid stage appearance, and one of the finest-shaped heada that over sat upon an actor's shoulders. His voice was full and flexible, and he always gave evidence of closs study in the characters he performed. He was born in Philadelphia, and died there March 22d, 1856. Fanny Wal- lack, Dyott, and Baas were all prominent members of the New York theatrea, whose interesting biographies must be sought for elsewhere, as our limited apace will not allow us to do them justice here.

* Mr. CHANFRAU was born in New York, 1824. He commenced hie dra- matic life at the bottom of the ladder, and by his talente and industry he soon advanced to higher positions. He made a great hit in the character of "Moss," a local drama written by Mr. Bøn Baker, entitled "Life in New York." He performed this character to crowded housea for a whole season at Mitchell's Olympic Theatra, New York, He wae a man of versatile talent, and in every way a credit to the profession of hie choice.

1111

THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.

October 7th, James E. Murdock* made his entree on the Brooklyn stage. He performed "Hamlet," " Claud," " Beverly," and his other best characters. Murdock was followed by John Brougham. On Saturday, No- vember 2d, Miss Mary Taylor, once famous at Mitchell's Olympic Theatre, New York, appeared in the after- piece of "Jenny Lind." She made a hit with her andience. She appeared in "Cinderella" for twelve nights. She proved the only great success that had as yet ap- peared at the Museum, in spite of the fact of many other superior artists that had gone before her. At the conclusion of her engagement, Chanfrau and Burke wisely gave up the management, with what little cash they had made. November 23d, the names of Lovell and King appear at the head of the bills as managers, with Mary Taylor, continuing her engagement till November 30th. Monday, December 2d, the celebrated elder Booth appeared for the first time in Brooklyn. The piece selected was :

" NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS."

Sir Giles Overreach, Mr. Booth; Lord Lovell, Mr. Lindon; All- worth, Mr. Lovell; Justice Greedy, Mr. King; Marall, Mr. Kent; Margaret Overreach, Mrs. Lovell.

The newspapers hailed Mr. Booth's appearance in Brooklyn with much favor. The Star remarked the next day, " that this child of true genius renewed their old impressions of his former days."

" Tuesday, December 10th." "THE IRON CHEST."

Sir Edward Mortimer, Mr. Booth; Wilford (his first appearance

* JAMES E. MURDOOK was one of the finest actors America has produced. As a light comedisn, in his own day he had not his superior. As & tragedian he was fins, and of the Cooper school. He was a man nf marked poetic feel- ing, and an nunsuslly mature scholar. Flis love of the dramatic art was a love for its elevation. He was a student of close application, and his repre- sentation of characters an intellectual treat. He had a fine figure, & rich sonorone voice, was graceful in action, and with the exception of Edwin Forrest, the finest elocutionist on the American stage. It is an unusual thing to find sctors snd actresses accomplished elocutionists, for most of them treat this branch of their profession with too much neglect.

Mr. MURDOCK was born in Philadelphia in 1812. He made his first appear- ance at the Arch Street Theatre, that city, as "Frederick " in "Lovers' Vowa." In 1838 he appeared as " Benedict," and made s fine impression. About 1842, he withdrew from the profession for the purpose of completing s college education, and after three years' hard study, he resppeared upon the boards of the Park Theatre, in New York, Tuesday, October 21st, 1845. Ou this occasion the writer performed the part of the " King." to his " Ham- let " He had a splendid audience, and performed a week's engagement with great success. In 1858 he went to England, and appeared for the first time before s select British audience, September 22d, at the Haymarket, London 88 "Young Mirable," in which character he made a fine impression. He performed the part of " Young Rapid," in " Cure for the Heart Ache," for meny consecutive nights to crowded houses. In 1857 he returned to the United States, and performed in all the principal thestres throughout the country, making admirere wherever he went. Mr. Murdock was slao a patriot, as the following anecdotes will show:

During the rebellion, and while he was playing an engagement at Milwau- kee, hearing that his son had joined the Union troops and was on his way to Washington, he immediately gave up his engagement, joined the army, and declared he would not sct again till the war was over. His health failing him, he was forced to give up the active service of the field, and devoted his four years to the cause by attending to the sick and wounded soldiers in the different hospitals; while doing so, he frequently gave readings for the amnsement of the soldiers, and for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission in Washington and other cities. He was appointed Volunteer Aid on the staff of General Rousseau. After the war he resppeared upon the stage, and performed asveral brilliant engagements. For several years past he has not appeared upon the stage ss an actor, but occasionally gives public readings. At this time hs etill livss, honored and respected in his old age.

on any stage), Master Edwin Booth; Wenlerton, Mr. C. W. Taylor; Lady Helen, Mrs. Lovell.

It will here be observed that EDWIN BOOTH, the famous tragedian, made his first attempt as an actor upon the Brooklyn stage. Through the indisposition of Mr. Booth, he was prevented from filling out his week's engagement. In fact, the houses were so poor that it was not worth the great actor's exertions to continue. A few more nights of ill-success, and it was found necessary for some of the prominent and liberal- minded citizens, headed by the ever noble-spirited gen- tleman und editor of the Star, Alden J. Spooner, to give the manager, Mr. Lovell, a complimentary benefit.

This took place on December the 20th, and we might say that here the ill-fated Museum closed its public career.

Upon the stage of the Brooklyn Museum, within a few months, appeared the finest dramatic talent of the country, and yet the managers and actors did not meet with a success that might be expected in any country town of five thousand inhabitants; Brooklyn's popula- tion at the time was two hundred thousand. The only solution we can give of this singular neglect to support a well-regulated place of amusement is in the sup- position that Brooklyn was too convenient to New York, where abounded theatres and opera-houses of more gorgous proportions, and performances of greater attractions.

1851,-February 7th, some of the principal citiz- ens of Brooklyn and New York gave a complimentary benefit, at Burton's Chambers Street Theatre, New York, to Dr. NORTHALL, of Brooklyn, the dramatic author. They were John C. Vanderbilt, Gen. George P. Morris the poet, Hon. Samuel Johnson, Hon. Edward Copeland, Hon. John Greenwood, Hon. John A. King, Hon. Henry C. Murphy, Arthur James, Alden J. Spooner, and many others. The bill offered for the occasion was Dr. Northall's dramatization of "David Copperfield." The cast of characters comprised the names of William E. Burton, Rufus R. Blake, Lester Wallack, T. B. Johnston, Mrs. Russell, (Mrs. Hoey), Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Skerret and Miss Hill (afterwards Mrs. W. E. Burton). The after-piece was a burlesque from the pen of Dr. Northall* entitled "Lucy-did- Sham-Amour." Miss Caroline Chapman appeared in her original character of Lucia.

* Dr. WILLIAM KNIGHT NORTHALL was the son of William Knight Northall of England ; his father came over to Brooklyn in 1830, and finding here a promising field, sent for his son, who had been educated for a surgeon- dentist. The Doctor soon got into an extensive practice, interrupted, how- ever, by sickness and nervousness, which forced him at times to seok relief in opium. He soon began to display his accomplishment as a writer, and was the first editor of the " Brooklyn Daily Advertiser." Subsequently he engaged as dramatist with Mr. Mitchell, manager of the N. Y. Olympio Thestre, and Mr. Burton, of the Chambers Street Theatre, N. Y. He wrote trsvesties for these managers, all of which met with great success. Many of them embraced Shakespeare's plays. He had also great aptitude for sketch- ing, as his capital portrait of Jacob Patchen, "The last of the leather breeches," now in the rooms of the Long Island Historical Society will attest. Besides editorials and plays in great numbers, he wrote the life of

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 113

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345