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 115

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 115

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The object of the manager was to conduct the theatre on the most refined principles, with a stock company of excellent artists for the performance of light and pleasing comedies, dramas, and musical pieces of every character. The following is the bill for the opening night:

PARK THEATRE. Fulton Street, opposite City Hall.

LESSEE AND MANAGER Gabriel Harrison. STAGE MANAGER Mr. B. A. Baker.

SCENIC ARTIST . Mr. George Tirrell.

MR. GABRIEL HARRISON

Respectfully informs the public that this New and Elegant Theatre will open for the REGULAR SEASON

On Monday evening, September 14th, 1863, with a first-class company, consisting of the following ladies and gentlemen :

Miss Henrietta Irving. . From the Western Theatre.

Miss Mary Shaw From the Baltimore Theatre.

Miss E. Couren From the Boston Theatre.

Miss E. Burnett From Niblo's Garden.

Madam Pozzoni . From the St. Louis Theatre.

Mrs. Tyrell. From Laura Keene's Theatre. Miss Curtis, Miss Singleton and Miss Norton.

Mr. George H. Andrews. . From the Old Park Theatre, N. Y.

Mr. Delmon Grace. From Winter Garden, N.Y.

Mr. George Metkiff. From Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

Mr. Walter Lennox .From Laura Keene's, N. Y.

Mr. T. C. Gonilay From Niblo's Garden, N. Y.

Mr. George Rea, Mr. S. Florence, Mr. H. Flood, and Mr. B. A. Baker.

Of the Old Olympic, N. Y. Together with a numerous Corps de Ballet.

On this occasion will be presented Buckstone's excellent Comedy, in three acts, entitled

" Married Life."

Mr. Coddle .Mr. George H. Andrews.

Mrs. Coddle . Mies H. Irving.

Mr. Dore Mr. Walter Lennox.

Mrs. Dore. Miss Mary Shaw.

Mr. Lionel Lynx Mr. Delmon Grace.

Mrs. Lionel Lynx. Miss E. Conran.

Mr. Younghusband Mr. Metkiff.

Mrs. Younghusband. Mise Burnett.

Mr. Dismal. Mr. Gourlay.

Mrs. Dismal. . Mrs. Tyrell.

To conclude with the musical farce of

" The Loan of a Lover."

Peter Spyke. Mr. Walter Lennox.

Captain Amesfort . Mr. Metkiff.

Suezsell Mr. Gourlay.

Delve.

Mr. Rea.

Gertrude (with song). Miss Mary Shaw.

Ernestine.

Miss Burnett.

Orchestra, of 26 performers, under the leadership of John M. Loretz, Jr.

PRICE OF ADMISSION.

Private Boxes $5.00

Orchestra Chairs. 1.00

Parquette .75

Balcony

.50

Family Circle.

.25

No Extra Charge for Reserved Seats.

The theatre was packed from parquette to gallery. The following expression of the success of the opening we take from the New York Times :

"The charming little theatre, the first attempt of our sister city in the dramatic line proper, was opened last night to the fullest house we have ever seen. Long before the rise of the curtain, the cheerful placard of 'standing room only' was placed conspicuously at the door, and hundrede were compelled to go away disappointed. We have already given a detailed de- scription of the house, which for neatness and elegance of finish, is a credit to the city and an exception even in the long list of metropolitan theatres. The bill for the first night included 'Married Life' and 'The Loan of a Lover.' The company in- cludes several well-known names, prominent among which are : Mr. G. H. Andrews, "Old Park," favorite, and Miss Mary Shaw, sister to Mrs. Hoey and Mrs. Watkins. It would not he fair to criticise closely the initial performance of an opening night, and yet it affords us pleasure to state that Mr. Harrison's cast, scenery and appointments are hy no means inferior even to those which at Wallack's last season we so pleasantly remem- ber. Mr. Tirrell's scenes are worthy of special commendation, ranking far above those of ordinary establishments, and worthy really to be examined as works of art. After the first piece, Mr. Harrison, who was loudly called for, made a neat and telling speech, thanking the audience for their generous patronage and promising to do all in his power to deserve a continuance of public favor. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Loretz, Jr., was well balanced, plastic, and practically useful."

The house was well filled night after night to wit- ness such pieces as "The Soldier's Daughter," " Beauty and the Beast," "John of Paris," " Sketches in India," and such light pieces. On Monday night, November 16th, the style of the performance was changed to a heavier class of plays, in which the manager, Gabriel Harrison, appeared as Julien St. Pierre in Sheridan Knowles' tragedy of "The Wife," in which he was sup- ported by Miss Irving as Marianne, with the rest of

1117

THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.

the cast filled out to the best ability of the company. It is always an unpleasant task to write in the personal pronoun I, even when used with the greatest modesty, but as the matter is one of history, the writer shall allnde to himself as if speaking of another person. On Mr. Harrison's first appearance, the honse was crowded in every part, and he met with such a success as an actor that he performed the one character for a whole week. The second week he performed the character of "Claud Melnotte " in "The Lady of Lyons ;" third week, "Carwin " in the drama of "Therese ;" fourth week, in the drama of "The Impostor." This was the first production of a Brooklyn dramatist on a Brooklyn stage. It was a translation from the French, made by John J. Ryan, one of the editors of the New York Herald, and adapted to the stage by Gabriel Harrison. This drama had a run for ten nights, and was with- drawn on account of the illness of Mr. Harrison.

The New York Herald remarked that " Mr. Harrison conceived and acted his characters with great power. He has a nervous manner and an excellent voice, which he manages well. Per- fectly at ease on the stage, he is also utterly without the affected poses, exits and other traditional nonsense of the profession, and is a valuable addition to our list of actors."

The New York World endorsed the above in saying:

" Mr. Gabriel Harrison has a firm appreciation of stage art. He has a capital presence, enunciates finely, and furnishes throughout excellent reading of his text. His actions are ani- mated, easy and natural, and in some scenes he is surpassingly fine, There is a taste and a gentlemanliness in all that he does."

These remarks of the press were more than gratify- ing to the writer. Success and fortune seemed to be extending their hands, but sunshine can be obscured in the brightest day. Mr. John J. Ryan, of the Herald, and several other highly cultured gentlemen, suggested that Mr. Harrison should introduce the English Opera upon the boards of his theatre. The idea seemed a good one, and Mr. Harrison immediately organized an English opera troupe.

1864 .- After some three weeks' preparation of new scenery, dresses, &c., &c., at an expense of nearly $3,000, he announced the engagement of Mad. Compte Borchard, of the Italian opera, as sorprano, Mr. Wil- liam Castle as tenor, Mr. S. C. Campbell, baritone, and Mr. Theodore Thomas as leader of the orchestra. Castle and Campbell were members at the time of a minstrel troupe, and had never before performed in opera. The orchestra had thirty in number, and the chorus thirty-seven picked voices.

Monday evening, January 4th, 1864, was presented Balfe's opera, in four acts, entitled the Bohemian Girl, with the following cast, viz: Arline, Mad. Compte Bochard ; Gypsie Queen, Miss Mary Shaw; Thaddeus (his first appearance in opera), Mr. W. Castle ; Count Arnheim (his first appearance in opera), Mr. S. C. Campbell ; Devilshoof, Mr. Geo. Rea ; Fiorstein, Mr. Pike ; Captain of the Guard, Mr. Florence; Tambourine Dance, Miss Jennie Gourley ; Conductor, Mr, Theodore Thomas ; Master of Chorus, Mr. Metzler. New scenery, dresses, &c., &c.

The houses were crowded for a few nights, and al- though the press of New York and Brooklyn spoke of the performance in the highest terms, still, with the extraordinary expenses of the two companies, the man- ager found it impossible after a few months' struggle to keep his theatre open any longer. The operas of " Maritani," "The Bohemian Girl," and "Fra Diav- olo " had been placed upon the stage in the best pos- sible style to no other effect than the ruin of the manager; and, in the latter part of February, 1864, Mr. Harrison retired from the management of the Park Theatre. The house was then let out to Miss Fanny Herring, who performed for a week; after her Mr. Hackett had the house for a week, and the theatre changed hands till April 2d, when Mr. and Mrs. Con- way became the lessees, and opened with the play of Ingomar, themselves taking the parts of Ingomar and Parthenia. They met with some success. Their sum- mer season, as they called it, lasted nineteen nights, when they closed the theatre until the 3d of Septem- ber, on which occasion they re-opened the Park Theatre with the comedy of " School for Scandal" to a full house, with Mr. and Mrs. Conway performing the leading characters. The first season of Mr. Con way's management was a struggle, but by hard work and ex- cellent management (with an occasional introduction of stars) the theatre became a marked success. At the time they took the theatre, the great Rebellion was over, and the people of the North flushed with victory, and an immense amount of money, put into circulation by the paying off of thousands of troops, gave the masses means for enjoyment, and all kinds of places of amusement gathered in rich harvests.

The Brooklyn Theatre .- The Conways ex- tended their ambition, and after several years of brilliant success in the little Park Theatre, they felt that they must have a larger one. Upon their application, Judge McCue, Messrs. Kingsley and Keeney purchased the old St. John's Church property on the southeast corner of Washington and Johnston streets, and at once began the erection of a fine theatre. It had a width of seventy feet on Johnston street and one hundred and twenty-eight feet deep, parallel with Washington street, with the entrance to the auditorium on the extreme south end on Washington street. This entrance was 28 feet wide by 40 feet deep. The face of the building was constructed of Philadelphia brick with brown stone trimmings, with no pretension to arch- itectural beauty. The auditorium was well arranged and the decorations were of the richest description. It was equal in this respect to any of the finest theatres in New York City.

Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Conway were the lessees, and the doors of the Brooklyn Theatre were open for the first time on October 2d, 1871, with Lord Lytton's admirable character comedy of Money, with the following distribution of characters: Alfred Evelyn, Mr. Frank Roche ;* Sir John Vesey, Mr. F. Chippendale ; Mr.

1118

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Graves, Mr. E. Lamb ; Sir Fredrick Blount, Mr. M. A. Ken- nedy ;* Captain Dudley Smooth, Mr. R. C. White ;* Mr. David Stout, Mr. G. C. Charles ;* Lord Rosemore, Mr. C. Loveday ;* Old Member, Mr. George Spear ;* Sharp, Mr. J. Msckay ; Ser- vant, Mr. F. Edwards ; Toke, Mr. A. S. Wright ; Clara Douglas, Miss Ells Burns ;* Lady Franklin, Mrs. Fsrren ;* Georgiana Vesey, Miss Maud Ernest .* Prior to the comedy, sn opening address, written by Mr. John Brougham, was delivered by Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Conway, and at the rising of the curtain the national ode of the "Star Spangled Banner " was sung by the entire company.

The house was crowded with a brilliant audience, and the future of the theatre promised prosperity; but the Conways lost during their management, up to 1875, over $12,000. After the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Con- way, which occurred within one year of each other, in 1874 and 1875, their daughters managed the theatre for a short time, but not successfully.

No two dramatic artists were ever connected with the history of the drama in Brooklyn more deserving of a biographical notice than Mr. and Mrs. Conway.

For years they worked night and day for the ad- vancement of the drama and the pleasure of the peo- ple, and we deeply regret that our limited space will not allow us to do them justice in full detail.

FREDERICK BARTLETT CONWAY WAS born in Clifton, England, February 10, 1819, and was at the time of his death 55 years of age. His father-known in drsmatic history as the Elder Conwsy -was an sctor of eminence, one of the proud names that adorn the British stage. Frederick, & lsd of unusual promise, was en- tered at Oxford at an esrly age, in the expectstion that he would sdopt the clerical profession. The histrionic instinct of his rsce wss strong within him, however, and would not con- form itself to the vocation selected for him. He broke away, and went upon the stage as soon as his majority wss sttained. With that quick, manly intelligence and artistic impulse which were among the distinguishing features of his subsequent career, his advancement was exceptionally rapid, and at the age of 24 he had become one of the favorite impersonators of "leading juvenile" characters in his native country. He wss judged competent to sustain opposite parts to the brightest stars of the theatrical firmament, and the record shows that his pri- vate life was one of moderation, modest and manful persever- ance, and the closest sttention to the study of an art he held in profound reverence. His fame grew stesdily, and when, in 1851, he accompanied the eminent comedian, Mr. William Dsv- idge, to America, Mr. Conway found that his good name had preceded him. His welcome in this country was prompt and cordial, and he at once took high rank among the most capable and erudite members of his profession. His first appearance in America was made at the Broadway Theatre, New York, where he performed Charles Surface in the "School for Scandal."

About this time Mr. Conway formed the acquaintance of a brilliant young actress just then sscending to fame, Miss Sarah Crocker. The acquaintance, promoted by an enthusiastic devo- votion to a common art-purpose, speedily developed a tenderer feeling, and the beautiful and talented young srtiste soon be- came Mrs. Conway. It was a brilliant and prosperous alliance of hearts, animstod by the generous impulse that leads to renown -devotion to each other and to their art. Mr. Conway was one of the most pains-taking and sympathetic artists that ever supported a star actor. His admirable support of Edwin For- rest for over one hundred nights at the Broadway Theatre, New York, met with the full endorsement of the press. Mr. Forrest

was one of those artists whose keen, good judgment and grest heart always raised him above the pettiness of attempting to add to his own lustre by the sid of colorless surroundinge. Thst grest actor knew-as every truly great actor always knows-thst he shone best when his support was most competent and intel- ligent; and the writer takes great pleasure in ststing, thst two years previous to Mr. Conway's death, while taking Thanksgiv- ing dinner with the great tragedian, at his residence in Broad street, Philadelphia, Mr. Forrest remarked " that he never in his life, as a star actor, here or in Europe, met with s more sble supporter, a more genial gentleman, or s more thorough drs- matic scholar than Mr. Conway," and this was perfectly true. At the time of his first sppearance in this country, at the Broadway Theatre, in conjunction with Mr. Davidge, on the 19th of August of thst year, when the Broadway Thestre was reopened by Marshall, with Mr. G. Barrett as stage msnager, the initial performance was "The School for Scandal" ; Mr. Conway play- ing the part of Charles Surface. During the sesson he esssyed the characters of Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, Claude Melnotte, Captain Absolute, and Doricourt, in all of which he was emi- nently successful. Tragedy and light comedy were equally con- genial to him, and he soon became an established favorite. He also appeared in "The Stranger," with Miss Charlotte Cush- man as Mrs. Haller, and in "The Husband of My Heart," as the Count de Fromsac. In the intervals of their engagements, Mr. Conway, with his wife, msde extended "starring tours," visiting the principal cities of the East, West, and South, and meeting with favorable receptions wherever they played. Ad- mirable as Mr. Conway was as a " star," his grestest reputation was achieved while supporting Edwin Forrest, and though en- dowed by nature and gifted in a remarkable degree, the secret of Mr. Conway's success rested in his pains-taking conscientious- ness; with him whatever wss worth doing at all, was worth doing well. His motto may be said to have been, "Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." His por- trsyal of the character of Jacques was a very fine performance. His Edgar, in "Lear," was unapproachable. His Rolando, in "The Honeymoon," as a piece of epigrammstic acting, if it might be so termed, was the best that has ever been seen on the American stage, and was only equsled by his representation of Pythias, in ' Damon and Pythias." A favorite character with him was Malvolio, in "The Twelfth Night." In all the sttri- butes which form the gentlemsn, the actor, and the scholar, Mr. Conway was the peer of the brilliant galaxy with whom he was contemporary. His social qualities endeared him to & large cir- cle of friends and admirers, who all felt alike the loss of Fred- erick B. Conway.

He died Sept. 7th, 1874, in Manchester, Mass., whither he hsd gone in quest of health and strength. Mr. Conway had been in ill-health for nearly three years previously. His funeral took place, Thursday, Sept. 10th, from the Church of the "Savior." The Rev. Mr. Nye preached the funeral sermon, and over a thousand people attended the service. He was buried smid the quiet and leafy intervals of Greenwood, and his desth was sincerely felt by thousands of citizens. The Edwin Forrest Club, of New York, of which he was a member, took appropriate action in regard to the loss which the dramstio profession had sustained in the death of this excellent artist.

MRS. F. B. CONWAY, before meeting and marrying Mr. Con- way, was known as Miss Sarah G. Crocker. She was born in Litchfield, Conn., and was the daughter of Rev. Mr. Crocker, an Episcopalisn minister of that place. At two years of age, the family moved to New York. In this city she imbibed a taste for theatricale, and at the age of fifteen she entered the profes- sion of which a sister had already become a member. It is quite a coincidence that her first appearance upon any stage was made in this city, although not a resident. This appearance was made in the theatre attached to Du Flon's Military Garden, already alluded to. Whether this first appearance was successful,

* First appearance.

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THE DRAMA, OPERA, MUSIC AND ART.

snd whether she manifested the abilities which have since won her s distinguished place in the American drama, the records say not, and the lady herself was too modest to tell. It is pre- sumed, however, that she was appreciated, for she remained the season out. From thence she went to Baltimore, Maryland, and became a member of the company of which Mr. John E. Owens, the distinguished comedian, was the manager.

Severing her connection with this company, the lady joined Purdy's National Theatre, in Chatam street, New York, then in its glory, in 1850. Playing here one season, she is next found upon the boards of the Broadway Theatre, where she met Mr. Conway, whom she married during the engagement. The next season, that of 1852, she joined J. W. Wallack's company, taking the position of leading lady, made vacant by the defection of Miss Laura Keene. The company at Wallack's at this time was one of the best gathered under his distinguished management. The oset of " Much Ado About Nothing" will give the best idea of the ability of his company, and we here present it : J. W. Wallack, Jr., Benedick; Lester Wallack, Pedro; Jno. Dyott, Claudio; F. Chippendale, Antonio; W. R. Blake, Dogberry; Chas. Hale, Verges ; Mrs. F. B. Conway, Beatrice ; Mrs. Hale, Hero.

In this play Mrs. Conway fairly divided the honors of the evening with Mr. Wallack. Here she remained, a great favorite with the critical audiences of this theatre, for one season, and then Mr. William Wheatly, having conceived the idea of build- ing up & Wallack's in Philadelphia, leased the Arch Street Theatre, and engaged Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Conway as-members. The company was exceeding strong, and was noted for the abil- ity of the ladies, and Mrs. Conway was the leading lady. The company comprised the names of Mrs. Conway, Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Mrs. John Drew, Miss Caroline Richings, Mrs. Anna Cowell, then known as Miss Cruise, Mr. Conway, Mr. H. Perry, Mr. George Boniface, Mr. E. F. Keach, Mr. John and Frank Drew, and Mr. John E. Owens. The company separated at the conclusion of the season, and the subject of our sketch with her husband joined the fortunes of the Walnut Street Theatre. At the conclusion of this season, Mr. and Mrs. Conway set out upon & starring tour. For ten years they traveled up and down the country, considered by managers among the most remunerative stars then before the public. They added to their fame and fortune, but the romance of traveling soon wears out, and ten years showed them the vanity of wide spread fame. They finally came to Brooklyn, took the management of the Park Theatre, opening on a rainy night to a small house, on April 2d, 1864. The first season was gloomy in its prospects and very un- profitable, but pluck, perseverance, ability, and managerial tact made the Park Thestre a success, and brought them wealth. The funeral of Mrs. Conway took place from the same church as did her husband's. She died April 28th, 1874, forty-two years old. Her remains were deposited in Greenwood, by the side of her husband.

And so, within the little space of one year, these two busy people of the drama, who looked forward to wealth and dramatic triumphs, were put to silence by that inscrutable power as against which we are nothing.

After the daughters gave up the theatre, it was next leased to Mr. Theodore Moss, of Wallack's Theatre, but, Mr. Wallack refusing to lend his name to the en- terprise, Mr. Moss forfeited what he had paid, and for a time the theatre went begging until 1875, when Messrs. Shook and Palmer, of the Union Square Theatre, New York, became the lessees, and continued to run it as a branch of their New York establishment, performing all of their most attractive stars and pieces, with but partial success. Under these managers oc- curred the most frightful calamity that ever took place in the history of the drama.

The Burning of the Brooklyn Theatre, on Tuesday night, December 5th, 1876.

The flames were first seen creeping along one of the flies on the left-hand side of the stage, and in less than two minutes all the drapery was in flames, and forked tongues of the devouring element could be seen creeping along through the canvas of which the roof of the scenic cabin was composed. Such scenes of terror on the part of a panic-stricken audience and of cool perseverance and courage on the part of a few others-the actors on the stage-have rarely, if ever before, been chronicled, either in this or any other city. The curtain had risen on the last act of the drama of "The Two Orphans." Miss Kate Claxton, who was acting the part of Louise; the blind girl, lay on her pallet of straw on the left-hand side of the stage, the scene being the boat- house on the river, the home of La Frochard. Near stood Mrs. Mary Ann Farren, La Frochard. Mr. J. E. Studley, who was acting the part of Jacques Frochard, and Mr. H. S. Murdock, Pierre, the cripple. Miss Claxton had already heard it whis- pered behind the scenes that the theatre was on fire, but even though she could see the flames directly over her, with rare presence of mind and courage, she went on with the perform- ance of her part, as did her companions, not one of them betray- ing by look nor word the agitation felt by all. The flames spread rapidly, however, and when the appalling fact could no longer be kept from the audience-for some of those in the or- chestra chairs had already discovered it and were starting up in their seats-the actors, with one accord in beseeching tones, called upon them for "God's sake to disperse quietly." Some person in the audience shouted that the theatre was on fire, and the alarm- ing cry of "Fire ! Fire !" was caught up by those in the family circle and the gallery, until it was echoed and re-echoed from pit to dome. Those of the audience who could retain their presence of mind, in response to the advice of the actors, resumed their seats, but it was only for a few seconds, and then hegan an in- discriminate rush for the doors. The books of the box-office show that there were seated in the theatre over one thousand persons, two hundred and fifty of whom were seated in the par- quet and orchestra, three hundred and fifty in the dress circle, and four hundred and five in the upper gallery. Within three minutes after the discovery of the fire, this mass of human be- ings was clambering over the seats and over each other, in their frantic endeavors to reach the exits. The entrances and cor- ridors to the lower part of the house, which lead ont to Wash- ington street, were by no means commodious, but nevertheless the crush in them was small compared with that at the exit from the upper gallery. When the worst became known, the ushers acted nobly and endeavored to quiet the terrified people, their chief, Mr. Thomas Rochford, going down to and opening the door leading out from the auditorium to Flood's alley, in the rear of the theatre. This door afforded a means of escape for many who might otherwise have lost their lives, and in a very short time nearly every person who had been seated in the lower part of the house had reached the street in safety.

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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 115

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