The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 31, 1901, Page 12

12 T is quite natural that the younger generation of theater-goersshould find ult te the sites of a ma- bullt during the n F ) were befcre locate Montgo a qua i ttiar St athering of old where the e of the s > A T no new theaters built sev- ment On the ert Hall for the time E SCTONNER being passed ont of the game. On June 6 the name of The Union was temporarily changed to The Olympic, and burlesque on classical dramas were pre- sented for a short time. Reduction o prices one-half, making the highest 5 cents, falled to draw and on the 20th the stan was raised to a dollar oncs e season closed a few days later. It appears from the records that noted dramatic stars were not so willing ta make -the long trip to this coast in 185 and and the minstrel companies divided the cream of the amusement business and Harry Sedley took a couple of benefits jointly at the opera- house ‘early in January, and it was in 8an Francisco just before his farewell bene- fit that Mr. Booth made his first appear- ances as Richelieu and King Lear, the first great character at the Metropolitan, May 1556, and the second at the same theater Septembe on the occasion of his last appearance for twenty years st on the 5th and was zed on the Atlantic & superb actor, the one Booth who inherited the great genius of his fllustrious father. Distinguished actors and other celebr!- ties rder of their arrivals ani es during "56 and 57 were Miss Rowena Granice, at the 7, 1856; Mr. and Mrs. E. 8 Conner, April § at the Metropolitan; Julia Dean Hayne and Charles Pope, at the same house June 28, Frank Mayc, then 17 years of age, made his debut at the Amjrican as ‘he walter in “Raising the Wind,” July 19 Lotta Crabtree, then called La Petite Lotta, made ber first appearance here in song and dance at the second Americar, November 20, 185%. Although she is said to have been born in Grand street, New York, November 7, 1847, she had been sioging before 1555 at Rabbit Creek, a in first appear as follows Union, April mining camp in Plumas County, now known as Laporte, where her mother kept a boarding house. She started her theat- rical career with a jig dancer named Grid- ley, who*owned the show in which Sue Robinson played the organ. Lotta played in many halls in the mining camps, as well as in San Francisco, ard was a great favorite. Her magnetism was something surprising and John Broug- ham mac od name for her when he The Dramatic Cocktail.” She loved and respected by her d later on when her father took a shot at Manager Tom saguire in the £ co for the concert called her was greatly associates olic sireet of San Franch alleged reason that Magulre had spoken in an ir g and unwarranted manner of the ss, who wishe a double lit there were many pa Crabtree had used un in place of\a olver, which wounded the mar-. barr always had a great affection 1 Francisco and California people, tain at the junction of Kearuy - irket streets having been presented by her to the city many years ago. S Robinson, the girl alluded to as & MIDS LOTTA member of the company with Lotta, also became a great favorite'and made a suc- with poor Walter Montgom- tour ery W. M. Fleming appeared at the Ameri- can as Hamlet in December, 185. John E. McDonough came early in 1857, opening at the Metropolitan on February 2. Geoige Wald at the opera-house March 23, and Annette Ince was a feat: at the Metropolitan May Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hamilton (formerly Bessie Hamblin) came on the 10th of the same month, the Penn- sylvanians having arrived in the mean- time via Nicaragua. Once more the tide of theatrical talent began to flow this way The Worrell sisters, Sophie, Irene and fittle Jennie, who afterward became bril- liant comediennes on the dramatic stage, opened at the North American Circus on May Emma Stanley, presented by “smooth as Sheridan Corbyn was subsequently knowam, sang at Ma- guire's Opera-house October 7, and Harry Courtaine and his wife, Emma Grattan. arrived from the East November 2. They opened In “The Little Treasure” at the opera-house on the 23d and at once be- came great favorites. Courtaine’s little troubles began almost immediately, and he was a source of great anxiety to his friends for many years threafter. It was m the 29th of December, 1857, that Mr. and Mrs. John Wo=d arrived, but they did not appear until January 18, 1858, The summer of 1857 was notable for the first great German musical festival, which began July 25 at the Metropolitan and ran three days, the second at Russ Gardens and the last at Turnverein Hall. W. B. Chapman died in San Franclsco Novem- ber 7, and Mrs. Rosalie Pelby died on board steamer while on her way East. A variety house, known as Johnson's Melo- deon, was opened December 15, 1857, at 182 Montgomery sireet, opposite the Metro- politan, and the Bella Union, then a gam- bling resort, where free concerts had been advertised for 4 month or two, came into the field as the Belia Union Melodeon, though there is no record of its success for some time thereafter. The Lyceum, in the upper portion of the building on the northwest corner of ‘Washington and Montgomery streets, was opened by John Wilson, lessee, on March 13, 1858. ber of theaters was not to be increased, for on June 2 the Adelphi, on Dupont street, was entirely destroyed by fire. On the 7th the opera-house, which had been closed for alterations and repairs, re- opened with a combination of Geor Christy's and the Ban Francisco My strels. < It seems, however, that the num- THE SUNDAY CALL. A significant sign of the times is found In the fact that early in 1858 prices were reduced for ordinary entertainments al all the theaters, and the first gift enter. talnment and Saturday matinee were glven at the Lyceum on June 19. The opera-house was largely devoted to minstrel entertainments, but at three the- aters, namecly the Metropolitan, the American and the Lyceum, dramatic per- formances were given the preference. Renovations being in order, Mrs. John Wood, lessee of the American, made ex- tensive improvements in the inside of that house, which reopened March 14, but the season closed April 9, owing to a dispute between Mrs. Wood and John Collins, the comedian, who was to open two nights later. Frank Mayo, who had made great.ad- vancement as an actor, came to the front for a joint benefit with C. Kingsland Sep- tember 2, 1859, at the Lyceum, on which occasion Mr. Mayo made his first attempt to play Othello and immediately estab- lished himself as a legitimate actor. It 18 proper to state here that Mr. Mayo was one of five Richards who appeared in “Richard III” at the erican for the benefit of D. C. And n January 8, 1860. The other four were Messrs. Ryer, Gaker, Thoman and J. B. Booth. It is probably noticed by musicians that & revival of interest in musical affalrs IW WALLAS R, occurred in 1858 and 187, the two years preceding having been comparatively un- eventful in operatic performances or high class concerts. was greeted with pleasure, and although a number of the most popular and suc- cessful artists in that line came to this coast during the period last mentloned, it is proper to preserve coherency by nam- ing the dramatic arrivals and openings in the order of their occurrence. Mr. and Mrs, James W. Wallack arrived from the East and opened in ‘‘Macbeth™ at the opera-house March 3, 1858, and John Kelley, the popular violinist, appeared at the Melodeon April 21. The second troupe of Alleghanians opened at Musical Hall May 6; John Collins, Irish comedian,; John Drew (father of the popular actor of that name) and Miss Georgiana Kin- lock arrived December 29, 1859, Mr. Colling opened at the opera-house and Mr. Dgew at the American, the latter playing O'Plenipo in “The Irish Embassador” January 1, 1859, and the former playing the same part at the opera-house Janu- A recurrence of opera ary 3, Belle and Agnes Land arrived from Australia February 9, and the Webb sis- ters, Emma and Ada, came from the East to open at the opera-house on the 23d. Avonia and Melinda Jones, Fanny Morant and J. R. Anderson came early in March, the first two going to the opera-house and the others to the Lyceum, where prices were temporarily raised. The extrava- ganza, “Fayre Rosamonde,” was pyt on at the opera-house December 17, 159, with the following new arrivals from the East: Mr. and Mrs. George S8imms and H. D. Thompson. By the same steamer came Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Forbes, Harriet Gor- don and Carrle Howard. The Mandeville family at this time cre- ated some little interest in musical cir- cies, one of them, Mrs. Agatha States, having been a special favorite. At the time she married William States, August 24, 1858, she was singing here with marked success, but she was somewhat over- shadowed by the arrival of Signor and Signora Bianchi from Mazatlan, where they had been warmly received. The Bi- anchis began a series of seventeen dper- atic concerts, alternating with the dra- matic company at the opera-house, on October 23, 1858. Thelr success was prompt and decisive and on May 5, 1859, they be- - regular theatrical rates, nnmflm;&nfl!mhnmnm dollar to fifty oents. Nothing In this line had been heard since Bignor Ganbatos’ short season in the win- ter of 1855 and 1856, when ‘“Le Cald” was presented March 9, 1856, The Bilanchis, who remained in San Francisco for many years, were assisted on this oceasion by Signor and Signora Roncovieri, the reliable local artists, who were always in demand for first-class operatic work, also by Stephen W. Leach, ‘who had taken up his permanent abode In California. Madame Feret and Mr. New- mann were members of the company, under the baton of Mons. Feret. “Trova- tore” was the first opera, of course, and success had fairly perched upon the Bi- anchi banuner when the Lyster Engiish Operg Company arrived from Australla, May 16, with Rofalie Durand, Georgia Hodson, Ada King, Madame Boudinot, Fred Lyster, Frank Trevor, M. Boudinot and others under the musical direction of Anthony Reiff. “La Sonnambula™ was presented May 27, 1859, and the company having organ- ized for steady work gave performances every night at the opera-house, presenting JENNIE WORRELL IN HRER JENNIE WORRELLAY MRS.PETER ‘WRITE in rapld succession ~“rhe Barber of Se- ville,” “Bohemian Girl,” “Crown Dia- monds,” “Daughter of the Regiment,” “Don Pasquale,” “‘Cinderella,”” “Fra Dia- volo” and “Der Freischutz,” closing on June 2. The Bianchis opened again the next night at the American with Lu- crezia Borgla,” and gave “Norma,” “Il Trovatore” and “Ernani”’ up to July-13, 1859. The Lysters were n the ficld th~ next night at the opera-house and stayed wich the procession until Augu . when ths company went to Sacramento. During this season they presented, in addition to their former repertoire, “The Begsars' Ofera, “Pocahontas,” “Midas,” *John of Pans” and “Rob Roy."” The Bianchis then took another inning and when the Lysters came back from the interior for thelr third season they wen! to the Americat for a short time and the Bianchis ap- peared with them ci orc or two oceaston: Fred and Wiiliam Lvster left for the East December 20, 1859, und were gone but playing auring 60 a short en- a short time, the compans the first part of the gagement untl] reinferc<a by Luey Escott, Henry Squires, Mme. Biscaccianti (oce sionally) and John de Haga. Several sec- sons were played here until the end of 1850 and the organizatior left for Austra. lla January §, 1861 The Biscacciantis liad returned from the East October 11, 1859, bringing with them George T. Evans, who was a prominent pianist and musical director here for over twenty years thereafter. A pecuilar- feuture of- the theatrical business during the period of which this record was made was the frequently re curring beénefits of the playvers in everv line of business and it is amusing to nots the number bf times that Ned Deaves, the old-time minstrel, popped up for a testi- monial. 1t is generally believed that the players demanded and received :s a part of their emolument a certain number of benefits per season, but it is maintained on the other hand that the managers were the ones who stipulated for the so-called com- plimentary testimonials, on which occa- slons it was also agreed that the benefi- clary should pay the entire expense list of the theater. It Is amusing to note’ that ‘some of ‘the plavers of that time consid- ered a Benefit in the light of a hardshin, since tBey were compelled to work their friends jtor patronage to insure a larze ice, which was considered proof popularity. related of one whose name was ntly for the purpose men- that after one of his most flatte; he was accosted by & It used tio ing brother actor with a congratulatory greeting to which his answer was: “Yes, I did splendidly this time. Only lost $25.° A hasty calculation on this basis would make Mr. Deaves a debtor to his manager for a large sum during the last three years of the fifties. It would be worse than useless to at- tempt to keep a record of the circus en- terprises and their location during this perfod. Lee & Marshall figured exten- sively and there were many efforts to combine dramatic and equestrian emter- talnments. Performing elephants and grand opera got mixed up with a model of King Solomon's. Temple, which was exhibited at a pavillon on Montgomery street, between Post and Sutter, the prices for the menagerie show being high- er than the best seats for the opera, while the minstel shows under varlous rames kept right on drawing good audl- ences at high rates of admission. - If one was to ask the veteran minstrel, Lew Rattler, who till a resideat of San Francisco, how many companies he was featured with in those early days, It I3 more than likely that he could not remem- ber the numgber, although he could enter- tain you for many hours with Interesting reminiscences of the ploneer minstrels of California. Broken in health and ylelding to the encroachments of old age, Mr. San- ford is ome of the sturdy old gentlemen who reflect credit and honor upon the profession they'followed for many years. There was a sensational story of kid- naping in the latter part of '59 which Is worth mentioning for the reason that Louise Poullin, who was sald to have been abducted, carried a rd the Panama steamer November 5 and brought back the 12th, was well known as a comic opera singer several years ago, and, her hus- band, Harry Warner, was for many years business manager of Daniel Frohman' celebrated Lyceum company. The opening of Gilbert's Melodeon on the corner of Kearny and Clay streets, December 5. 1559, was a notable event, J.E MAS DONOUGHM, - since it was at this house that Joe Mure phy, then a Sacrgmento River fisherman, and Ned Harrigan, a journeyman ship calker. made tr bids for pubile favor as variety a 1d it was on the szme stage that Maggie Moore became & prime favorite in deville. The six~ tles were rich In theatrical incident, and the first year in the second decade of San Franecisco’s history is particularly intere esting to Girl Who Is a Biliard Marvel. A newspaper writer stated a few ago that wo can do everything ex- cept play billiards. That statement le@ Professor Kaarlus, the billiard expert, to resolve to prove that even In this fleld there Is no gauge of woman's perfection. The other day his daughter, Miss May Kaarlus, just past 16 y of age. made her debut at Maurice Da academy in New York. The best shots with the cue of Schaefer, Slosson and Ives seem to be veritable child’s play to this girl. Miss Kaarlus does not claim that she could beat the champion, Schaefer, at his own peculiar style, but her father has made up a list'of a hundred fancy shots in which he challenges any expert to compete with her. Record is to be kept of the number of attempts necessary to make-€fich shot, the contestant Who makes the hundred in the smallest number of trials to bhe siven the match. Miss Kaarlus is modest and the perfection of physical grace and strength. Her attention to athletic train- ing is Incessant, and is indispensable to her wonderful success In close draw, wing and follow shots. In many of her amaz- ing round-the-table performances the most perfect muscular development is needed to drive the elusive ivory spheres through the rs strange figures that they —Leslie’'s Weekly. >