Worcester County, Massachusetts - Chapter 186, 1889

The Drama In Worcester By Nathaniel Paine

The early history of the drama in Worcester is involved in much obscurity, from the fact that till within the last twenty or thirty years the newspapers paid but little attention to the strolling companies that occasionally performed here, and that notices of such entertainments were not usually promulgated by means of newspaper advertisements, but by posters or small bills distributed about the streets, which very soon became lost or destroyed. There was also a very strong sentiment in the community against theatrical exhibitions of any kind, so that, previous to 1848 or '50, the printed records are very meagre, and would seem to indicate that our people took but little interest, or did not have the time to patronize entertainments of that kind. Besides this, an act passed in April, 1750, against dramatic exhibitions was in force up to 1794 or '95. This act was "for preventing and avoiding the many and great mischiefs which arise from publick stage-plays, interludes and other theatrical entertainments, which not only occasion great and unneccessary expenses, and di.scourage industry and frugality, but likewise tend generally to increase immorality, impiety and a contempt of religion." The act provided that if "any person or persons shall be present as an actor in, or a spectator of, any stage-play, etc. - in any house, room or place where a greater number of persons than twenty shall

The first record of anything like a dramatic exhibition in Worcester is probably in William Lincoln's " History of Worcester," where it is stated that in 1787 Master Brown, a school-teacher, produced Addison's "Cato," with great success, at a quarterly examination of his school. The parts were probably taken by the pupils, and not in costume. It is said that similar exhibitions were continued for two or three years. Ten years later, in June, 1797, a Mr. Hogg, who advertises himself in the Spy as " late from the Boston Theatre," " informs the ladies and gentlemen of Worcester that the hall over the school-room ' is fitted up for the purpose of representing some select and most admired dramatic pieces, a musical entertainment - I ' The Waterman ' - a Dramatic Romance in one act called ' The Oracle, or Daphne and Amintor,' the whole to conclude with pas-de-deux. Doors open at 6 J, performance begins at 7i. Front seats 3s., back seats 2s. 8d." The Massachusetts Spy evidently did not have a reporter at this performance, or else did not think it worth reporting, for nothing appears in its columns in regard to it. The company were in town several days, presenting, a week later, a piece entitled, "Like Master like Man," and the "Shipwrecked Mariner, with singing by Mr. Hogg." About the same time, Mons. BouUay "from the Old Theatre, Boston," opened a school "in the polite accomplishment of dancing and music." Possibly he may have participated in the pas-de-deux at Mr. Hogg's dramatic representation.

By a programme now in the possession of the American Antiquarian Society it appears that in July, 1817, Mr. West's Circus exhibited for one week on a lot between Front and Mechanic Streets, opposite Eaton's tavern, the entrance being on Mechanic Street. Again, in 1818, as appears from the same source, a grand tight-rope performance, with feats in posturing, leaping and tumbling, was given at "Hathaway's Hall;" " tickets, 50 cts., for sale at Hathaway's bar." This hall was in a hotel located on the present site of the Bay State House.

After the performance of Mr. Hogg's company there does not appear to have been a regular dramatic exhibition in Worcester for some forty or fifty years. The only entertainments offered to the public, besides concerts, were moving dioramas and numstrosities (like the Siamese Twins, who were exhibited in the hall of the Central Hotel in 1838), and an occasional equestrian exhibition. Later came the annual visits of "Blind Dexter," with his traveling van of "colored statuary," generally exhibiting on Main Street, near the ITown Hall. In his advertising he says : " The above exhibition has not the advantage of wealth of an incorporated association, basking in sunshine and affluence, but depends entirely ypon the exertions of an humble individual, who was deprived of both eyes and one arm while engaged in blasting a rock."

For many years the selectmen would not license a circus to give an exhibition here, but it appears that in some unguarded moment they did, in May, 1832, license a company, much to the indignation of many good people of the town. The Massachusetts Spy thus comments on the action of the selectmen :

The Selectmen bave licensed a company of strolling actors, calling tliemselves Circus Riders, to exhibit their fooleries here. We presume that in giving their consent the Selectmen had no idea of encouraging vice or dissipation, or of acting in opposition to the well-known wishes of a majority of their constituents. Who does not know that no one gets any good by attending such exhibitions V That by going, he encourages idleness, cruelty and vice ! It is to be hoped that this is the last time we shall be troubled with such unwelcome visitors, and that our Selectmen will in future be careful not to lend their aid in encouraging them to come among lis.

This protest seems to have had its effect, for no licenses were given to equestrian performances for the next twelve or fifteen years ; those who desired to witness such exhibitions having to go to the adjoining towns of Millbury and Holden to do so. About the latter part of the year 181.5, or the beginning of 1846, the selectmen ventured to give a license for a dramatic performance to one Dr. Robinson. The play produced was called " The Reformed Drunkard," and was claimed to be in the interest of temperance. This entertainment seems to have been condemned by many of the citizens, and when Dr. Robinson again applied for a license (the profits of the exhibition to go to some local society) the selectmen declined to grant it, and spread upon the town records their reasons for so doing. Their report, dated March 2, 1846, covers nearly two pages of the record-book, from which we make the following extracts, as indicating to some extent the feeling of the community towards theatrical exhibitions at that time. The selectmen say :

Much complaint has been made because the Selectmen have refused to license Dr. Robinson to exhibit a theatrical exhibition called " The Reformed Drunkard." To that man they could not grant such a license, even if they had no objections to the character of the exhibition. The last time that Robinson was permitted to hold such an exhibition here he took advantage of tlie very license which had been granted him by the selectmen to grossly insult the town. But Robinson's improper conduct has not been the principal reason for rejecting his application, as a similar request has been made by those to whom there was no personal objection. The selectmen have believed that the ten. dency of such an exhibition was demoralizing in the extreme, that it was calculated rather to increase the vice there represented than to diminish it. . . . If any want to see the consequences of intemperance let them visit the Poor-house, let them attend the weekly religious services at the Jail Chapel, and there they will witness the nsual consequences of intemperance in a far better manner, etc. Do they not know that the French Dauseuse carried large sums of money from this country, and do they not also know that the number of the spectators would have been extremely limited if it had not been generally known that females would exhibit their persons in most indecent postures? Some months since Green, the self-styled "Reformed Gambler," delivered a lecture in this town, and the next day there was a greater sale of playing cards than had been for weeks and months previous ; this surely was not lor go,id.

About a year later, however, the selectmen licensed a company from Boston, who, under the name of " The National Athenteum," appeared for a season of two or three weeks at Brinley Hall (now Grand Army Hall). They opened with the play of " The Hunchback," under the management of G. G. Spear, in June, 1847. In the company were W. H. Smith, E. F. Keach, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and Miss Louisa Gann, who appeared in several standard plays in a very acceptable manner, closing with " George Barnwell." That dramatic entertainments were still under a cloud in Worcester may be inferred from an article in the National jEgis in regard to this company, which says : " It has been intimated that a portion of our community, whose means enable them to frequent the opera, are indisposed to countenance this less imposing scene of recreation. . . . But we are unable to believe that an individual can have such an immense beam in his eye. . . .

In the following year Mr. W. B. English gave a series of performances at Brinley Hall, under the name of " Tableaux Vivants," this name being given as less distasteful to the moral sense of many than that of theatre. " Rosiua Meadows" was the first play produced, Mr.s. Western (afterwards Mrs. English) taking the leading part. Mrs. English (who is still living, at the Forrest Home for Actors, at Philadelphia) says : " The company drew immense houses, many of the ladies of the audience appearing in evening dress." A few years later Mr. English again appeared at Brinley Hall, with his wife (Mrs. Western) and her daughters, Lucille and Helen Western, who afterwards had quite a notoriety in the theatrical world.

In 1850 Mr. Charles C. D. Wilkinson, late manager of the Worcester Theatre, made his first appearance on any stage, at Brinley Hall, with a company under the management of Mr. George C. Howard, in the role of Tim in " My Wife's Second Floor ." Mr. Wilkinson, though not a native of Worcester, resided here in his early days, and received his education from the schools of Worcester. In 1851 he gave a series of " Parlor Entertainments " in the abovenamed hall, with a company composed mainly of members of his own family.

In the winter of 1850 a hall in the newly-erected Flao-g's Block (on the site of the present block of that naine) was occupied for a short time by the Howard (G. C.) and Fox (G. L.) Troupe, who gave a series of miscellaneous dramatic entertainments. The next autumn the hall was made more available for stage representations, and opened by a Mr. Burroughs, of Providence, under the name of the Worcester Dramatic Museum, and afterwards came under the management of Noah Gates, of Lowell. The leading ladies of the company were Mrs. Beissenherz (a most versatile actress, taking all parts from a chamber-maid to Lady Macbeth, and dancing between the acts), Mrs. Germon and Miss Steele. During the first winter under Mr. Gates' management Mrs. George H. Barrett appeared as a star. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Gates applied for a renewal of his license. A remonstrance against its being granted was presented to the mayor and aldermen, which brought a strong petition in favor of it ; so a public hearing on the question was given at the City Hall Monday evening, March 1st, which was largely attended. Dwight Foster appeared a.s counsel for the petitioners, and was supported by Dr. O. Martin and Dexter Parker, who spoke in behalf of the young men. Alfred Dwight Foster, Rev. Alonzo Hill, W. R. Hooper and others spoke against the granting of the petition. One of the arguments against the license was that the character of the plays presented was not of the best ; that if the plays of Shakespeare and other standard dramatists were produced there would be less objection to it. Perhaps it was with a desire to influence the opposition to a more favorable view that " Romeo and Juliet " was brought out a night or two before, and the night the discussion was going on "Richard III.'' was being played at the Museum.

The Museum closed its doors the 5th of March, but opened again April 8th, having received a license with a condition that no one under eighteen years of age should be admitted. It was closed for the season June 18, 1852, with a benefit for Mr. W. M. Leman.

The Dramatic Museum was opened in September, 1853, by Gates & Brown, with J. B. Cartlitch as stage manager. During this season Mr. Denman Thompson, now so widely known by his impersonation of Joshua Wkitcfimb in the " Old Homestead " (at present a permanent attraction at the Academy of Music in New York), appeared at the Museum, " playing anything and everything, besides dancing hornpipes and fancy dances between the acts."

Other members of the company at this time were " Yankee Locke " (George E.), J. J. Prior and William Henderson (now manager of the Academy of Music at Jersey City). The license of the company expired at the close of the year, and in December application was made for its renewal. Again there was strong opposition to it, and the question was debated in the Board of Aldermen at two or three meetings without action. In the mean time the Museum closed its doors during a successful run of" Uncle Tom's Cabin." The matter was settled the night of Sunday, January 29, 1854, by the burning of Flagg's Block, which destroyed all the scenery and properties, as well as two dioramas that were being I prepared for exhibition.

The first building erected in Woi'cester for theatri- | cal purposes was completed in 1857, having been built by William Piper from plans by Boyden & Ball, on Front Street, opposite the city hall.' The Daily li'py, in speaking of the new building, says : "It is an edifice which, for architectural beauty and complete adaptation to the purposes for which it was designed, may challenge comparison with any similar edifice in the country, except in the largest cities." The new theatre was openeil February 9, 1857, under the management of Wyzeman Marshall, of Boston, an actor of an established reputation, with the play " Ingomar." An opening address, written by Mr. A. W. Thaxter, was recited l)y Miss Mary Hill (Mrs. Thaxter). In the cast were : Mr. Marshall as Ingomar, Miss Hill as i Parthenia, Messrs. Beck, Stanton and Taylor as the Three Citizen) of Massilia and Mr. Charles Wilkinson as Lykon. The entertainment concluded with W. W. Clapp's farce, " My Husband's Mirror," Mr. Wilkinson taking the leading part. The first season closed in May with a complimentary benefit to Mr. Marshall, tendered by several prominent citizens, among whom may be mentioned A. H. Bullock, Henry Chapin, Charlea Devens, Rejoice Newton, J. D. Washburn, J. E. listabrook and Adin Thayer.

Mr. Wilkinson became the manager the second season, opening August 24, 1857, with " Love's Sacrifice " and " Grimshaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw," Mrs. Beissenherz being the leading lady. In March, 1858, Mr. M. V. Lingham became the manager, and was succeeded in the fall of the same year by Jacob Barrow, who brought out many standard plays, with a very efiicient company, which included, beside Mrs. Barrow (who was a very accomplished actress), J. E. Owens, Charles Fisher, Miss Fanny Morant and Miss Charlotte Thompson. During Mr. Barrow's brief stay here, several of the good old comedies, like " The Rivals," " The Heir-at-Law " and " The Poor Gentleman," were produced. Tlie theatre was reopened under the name of " Pauncefort's Athenwum " March 28, 1858, with Mr. George Pauncefort aa manager. Mr. and Mrs. Pauncefort took the leading parts, opening with the "Lady of Lyons,'' and closing April 22d with " Still Waters Run Deep " and " Black-Eyed Susan."

During the summer the theatre was occupied occasionally by traveling companies, and October 12th it was again opened by Mr. Pauncefort, with " Don Ciesar de Bazan " and the farce of "Sarah's Y'oung Man." Mr. and Mrs. I. Biddle were the comedians of the company. During a brief season Mr. Pauncefort introduced to a Worcester audience such actors as W. E. Burton, C. W. Couldock and J. W. Wallack. In November, 1859, a piece called " Ossawatomie Brown ; or, the Harper's Ferry Insurrection,'' was brought out, and in the same month Mr. Wallack appeared for a few nights in the " Winter's Tale," " Hamlet," " The Iron Mask " and " Macbeth." The season closed December 20th.

Messrs. Myers and Boniface opened the theatre in March, 1860, for a short time, with Mrs. Barrow aa leading lady, in such plays as " The Octoroon," " Sea of Ice " and similar pieces.

Helen Western as the stars, they appearing in such pieces as " Jack Sheppard," " The French Spy" and " Three Fast Men," which were of a decidedly sensational character. i In October of 1860 the " Seriou.s Family " was pro- | duced, with an unusually strong cast, including Mr. , and Mrs. E. L. Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. John Uil- j bert, Mrs. Barrow and Miss Fanny Davenport. |

In January, 1861, Mr. Pauncefort again took the management with Mrs. Barrow as the leading lady. Mr. John Gilbert appeared in February as Sir Anthony Absolute in " The Rivals," and again the next month in " Rob Roy."

In the spring of 1861 the excitement caused by the secession of the Southern States and the prospect of a call for troops at the North was so intense that entertainments of all kinds were poorly patronized, and the theatre performances became almost deserted. An afternoon performance was given at the theatre the 19th of April, at which the Holden Rifles, who were in the city on their way to the front with the Third Battalion of Rifles, under Major Charles Devens, were invited to be present. The departure of the' troops, and the fact that the whole community were so much interested in the real tragedy which was being enacted that they had no time nor desire to witness any dramatic representations, caused the sudden closing of the theatre the next evening, with not a dozen persons in the audience.

In May, 1861, Charlotte Cushman appeared for two nights in " Guy Mannering " and " Romeo," and again for two nights in June as Lady Macbeth and Queen Catharine, supported by John Gilbert, .]. B. Studley and Miss Viola Crocker. Januarys, 1862, the last night of the season, a play called " Boys ' of Worcester County ; or, the Battle of Balls' Bluff'," was brought out, but it was not a marked success. In April of the same year " Uncle Tom's Cabin " was played for one week, closing April 15th with a benefit for John W. Stiles, a native of Worcester.

H. C. Jarrett, of Niblo's Garden, New York, opened the theatre for two nights in May, 1862, with a strong company, which included John Gilbert, Charles Barron, J. E. Owens and Miss Mary Wells, who appeared in " School for Scandal " and the " Poor ( ientleman." The next month J. C. Meyers, of Providence, was here for a brief time, with Henry Langdon and Miss Annie Senter in the leading parts. During the next five years the theatre does not appear to have been open for regular seasons, but was occupied largely by traveling companies, a few nights at a time. In this way Laura Keene was here with a good company in June, 1863, producing "Our American Cousin." In July Miss Kate Reignokls, with a company from the Boston Museum, which included Mrs. J. R "Vincent, Stuart Robson, Owen Marlowe and John Wilson, played a short engagement.

The theatre was opened from time to time during the next four years for brief seasons, with companies good, bad and indifl'erent, but during this period such players appeared as William Warren, Miss Josie Carton, Emily Mestayer, McKean Buchanan, Edwin Forrest (as Richanl and King Lear), John Brougham, Tom Placide, L. R. Shewell and Mark Smith.

The last dramatic representation in the Front Street Theatre was November 27, 1867, with the play - Under the Gas Light," J. P.. Booth being the manager. The theatre was soon made into offices and small halls, and not again used for dramatic purposes till the fall of 1888, when it was remodeled and improved, and is now known as the Front Street Musee, for variety shows and curiosities, under the management of George H. Batcheller.

The present Worcester Theatre, on Exchange Street, built by a stock company, and first called Music Hall, was opened to the public the evening of March 9, 1869, under the management of J. B. Booth, of the Boston Theatre Company. The pieces presented on the opening night were " The Lady of Lyons " and the farce of " My Neighbor's Wife." In the company were C. R. Thome, Jr., Louis Aldrich, W. H. Lehman, Dan. J. Maguinnis, Mrs. J. B. Booth and Mrs. S. M. Leslie. The Music Hall was under the control of the proprietors of the Boston Theatre for ten or twelve years, during which period many actors and actresses of established reputation appeared on the boards. Space does not permit a complete list of these, but a few of the most noted may be mentioned.

Mrs. Scott Siddons appeared in " Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady " in December, 1870 ; Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams early in 1S71. In May, 1873, Sothern appeared in his great part of Lord Dundreary in "Our American Cousin." John E. Owens in February, 1871, Wyzeman Marshall in May of the same year, and J. W. Wallack, in the play of "The Iron Mask ; " the next year Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Florence and Frank Mayo. In January, 1873, Carlotta Patti, Signor Mario (the great tenor). Miss Annie Louise Gary and Teresa Carreno, the pianist, gave a concert at the theatre, and drew an immense house.

In the fall of 1873 the theatre was newly painted and the auditorium fitted with new and more comfortable seats, and thereafter was known as the " Worcester Theatre," instead of " Music Hall." It was opened by the Boston Theatre Company October 28th, with L. R. Shewell and Mrs. Thos. Barry in the leading parts. Other prominent players who appeared during the next few years were Lester Wallack, F. S. Chanfrau, McKee Rankin, Sara Bernhardt, Lotta, Charles Fechter, Edwin Booth. During this period the theatre was often leased to strolling variety companies, minstrel shows and for various other entertainments, many iif which were of rather poor quality.

In the summer of 1882 Mr. Charles Wilkinson took a lease of the theatre, and became the first resident manager. He opened it August 24, 1882, with a performance by the Alice Oates Opera Company. It was during Mr. Wilkinson's management that the first matinees, now so popular, were given in the theatre. The first experiment was not very encouraging, the receipts being only about twenty-five dollars, while the same company in the evening took over five hundred dollars. In November, 1882, the theatre was opened on Sunday evening for the first time, with a reading by J. E. Murdock, the veteran actor, and about five years later Rev. W, H. H. Murray lectured there on Sunday evening. In 1885 a large part of the stock of the Music Hall corporation changed hands, and the new owners made radical changes in the interior of tb.e building, with special attention to the matter of safety against fire, and it now compares very favorably with the metropolitan theatres.

Mr. Wilkinson retained the proprietorship till his death, which took place March 2, 1888. During his management, a period of about seven years, he endeavored to present to his patrons first-class entertainments, and as a rule he succeeded in so doing, and Worcester theatre-goers were given an opportunity to hear many actors and actresses of estalilished reputation in their fixvorite roles. Such well-known representatives of the dramatic art as Henry Irving in "Louis XL," Joe Jefterson in "Rip Van Winkle," Lawrence Barrett as Hamlet, Denman Thompson as Joshua Whitcomb, Edwin Booth, Wilson Barrett, Charles Wyndham, J. T. Raymond, Madame Modjeska, Salvini, E. A. Sothern, Frank Mayo, Mary Anderson, Fanny Davenport, Margaret Mather, Fanny Janauschek, Rosina Vokes, Mrs. Langtry and many others of high rank on the stage appeared during Mr. Wilkinson's man.agement.

Since the death of Mr. Wilkinson, his wife, Lillie Marden Wilkinson, has had the management, and has continued it upon the same plan as her husband, in giving to the public as good a class of performances as they would patronize. It is understood that at the close of the present season (1888-89) the management is to pass into other hands, and that extensive changes and improvements in the entrance and auditorium are contemplated.

Mention should be made of an amateur company of young ladies and gentlemen, who, a few years before the late war, appeared in farces and comedies in a small hall in the upper story of the late Dr. John Green's Block, on Main Street.' The young gentlemen of the company became, a few years later, the founders of the present Quinsigamond Boat Club.

During the Civil War several amateur performances were given at the theatre, or in some public hall, by ladies and gentlemen, for the benefit of the United States Sanitary Commission, or for local aid to troops passing through the city to and from the seat of war. Most of these performances were given under the patronage of Mrs. Governor John Davis. Among the pieces thus produced were : " Still Waters Run Deep," " Follies of a Night," " Ici on Parle Franjais," and " Up at the Hills."

Since the close of the war the local post of the " Grand Army of the Republic '' have from time to time produced military plays at the theatre, for the benefit of their charitable fund, which have been most generously patronized.

In later years the Quinsigamond Boat Club have given several excellent dramatic entertainments, in which the various parts, both male and female, were taken by members of the club and their friends. In this way they have presented the travesty of " Romeo and Juliet" in 1877, and again in 1879 ; the extravaganza of "Lord Bateman," 1878; "The Legend of the Rhine," 1879 ; and in April, 1888, " The Talisman, or the JIaid, the Monk and The Minstrel." All of these were largely musical, and the club were ably assisted by local male vocalists.

In December, 1883, Mr. W. H. Bristol opened th e " Dime Museum " in Washburn Hall, giving an exhibition of giants, dwarfs and curiosities of various kinds, with a variety stage performance. This is still continued and appears to have a generous patronage.

In 1882 and for a few years thereafter, dramatic performances were given at Bigelow's Garden and Skating Rink in the summer months, during which time several of the popular burlesque operas, like "Pinafore " and " Patience," were produced and drew large houses. In the same period entertainments were given by travelling theatrical combinations and minstrel shows, with occasional visits from Boston theatre companies.

The foregoing notice of dramatic representations in Worcester is necessarily very incomplete, the space given to this subject permitting only a brief general review, and many interesting details have been omitted.