A. m M s-* ?4 ■f,\v' ■ , Milin i_Mi fm k>r^^ , I .. « * ^t • JAMES V.CHLOUPEK ,,Oe P.EASANT V.U.C^ -VENUE OAKLAND. CAUFORN.A UCSB LIBKAKV TRANSFORMATION SCENE. THEATRICAL AND CIRCUS LIFE; OR, SECRETS OF THE STAGE, GREEN-ROOM AND SAWDUST ARENA. EMBRACIN(i V HISTORY OF THE THEATRE FROM SHAKESPEARE'S TIME TO THE PRESENl DAY, AND ABOUNDING IN ANECDOTES CONCERNING THE MOST PROMI- *NENT ACTORS AND ACTRESSES BEFORE THE PUBLIC; ALSO, A COMPLETE EXroSITION OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE STAGE, SHOWING THE MANNER IN AVHICH WONDERFUL SCENIC AND OTHER EFFECTS ARE PRODUCED; "^HE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF NEGRO MINSTRELSY; THE MOST ASTON- ISHING TRICKS OF MODERN MAGICIANS, AND A HISTORY OF THE HIPPODROME, ETC., ETC. Illustrated with Numerous Engravings and Fine Colored Plates. By JOHN J. JENNINGS. CHICAOO: (Tl()l)te E^iiblisiliiog Co. l--nterc(\ accDrdiriK to Act of Congress, in the year iSS6, by (JLOHK in;i?LISHING CO., Ill the nfticc- of the Lihr;iri;in of Congress, ;it Washington. PROLOGUE. The theatre and the circus, both sources of unlim- ited amusement to the world, are also objects of the greatest interest to all who have had even a single peep at the stage or pressed their feet even once upon the sawdust precincts of the tented show. The tricks and illusions that are mystifying to nine-tenths of those to whom they are presented rarely fail to be productive of pleasure, and the performers, whether before the foot-lights or within the circus ring, gen- erally succeed in so thoroughly winning the hearts of the public, that, though their faces, when the paint is off and the atmosphere of glory has departed, might not be recognized upon the street, their names are so fixedly identified with the pleasant moments associated with their art, that they become household words, and are spoken, with admiration and praise, by all classes, from the newsboy and bootblack up through the vari- ous strata of society even to the ruler of the nation. In presenting this volume to the public the inten- tion has been to bring the player and the people into closer relations, and by revealing the secrets of the stage and sawdust arena to show that what appears at first to be deep mystery and to many, who are bigoted and averse to theatrical and kindred entertainments, the blackest diabolism, is merely the result of the simplest combinations of mechanical skill and studied art, and is as innocent of the sinister character be- stowed upon it as are the efforts of school children at their annual exhibitions or the exercises of a Sabbath School class before a row of drowsy and nodding church- deacons. Fault may be found with the private lives (3) 4 PROLOGUE. of numbers of the members of the theatrical and cir- cus profession, but the sins and shortcomings of indi- viduals, can bo visited upon the entire class witii no more justice than can the frailties of a few preachers be applied generally to the pul])it, or the dishonesty of a handful of lawyers be reflected u[)ou all the dis- ciples of Blackstone in existence. Neither is it just to class as theatres places of resort that do not deserve the name — the "dives" and "dens" that are fre- quented by disreputa])lc men and women whose low tastes are catered to ])y men and women every bit as disreputaljle as their patrons. Such establishments receive, in this volume, only the severe treatment they fully merit. In explaining the mysteries of stage representa- tions, and indicating the tricks of ring performances, as well as in speaking of the })rivate lives of i)erformers and giving biographies of the most noted actors and actresses now before the pu])lic, an attempt has been made to be perfectly accurate in every detail. The anecdotal i)ortion of the book has likewise 'received careful attention, and indeed every feature of the work has been given due consideration, in the hope that in and out of the profession, Theatkical and Ciiicus Life may nieet with a favorable reception and be regarded as worthy the subjects of which it treats. Commending it to the kindness of all into whose hands it falls; and assuring the inhabitants of the mimic and real worlds, that, whatever construction may l)e i)laced u[)on his sentences, naught but respect and alTection is felt for the true and good men and women of the stage, the author parts from his volume regretting that it is not large enough to give everybody a place in its pages, or to say as much about each in- 'Jividual as each deserves. J. 'h .1. St. Louis, August 1, 1H82. CONTENTS. CHAPTEK I. A I'UKLIMINAliY I'lCEP, PAGES Admission Fees — Cerberus at the Back Door — The Awe- Stricken Stranger behind the Scene — Swarms of Ac- tors and Emploj'ces — Description of Stage Settings — The Green-Roora and Dressing-Room Explored — A Visit to the Dressing-Tent of the Circus — An Act that Beats anything of the kind in the World — The Female Minstrel Gang and the Break-o'-Day Girls - 19-27 CHAPTER II. A TIIEATKE OF SHAKESPEARE'S DAY. Rude Carts as Primitive Stages — Followed by Stone Thea- tres with Pits for Stages — Theatres of the Elizabetlian Period — Sunday Theatres in the " Golden Age " — Description of the Globe in Shakespeare's Time — Plays in the Times of Henry VIII. — Sign-boards as Scenes — Anecdote of Charles II. — The "Wits," "Clever" Men and the Vulgar Crowd — Pipes, Tank- ards, and Gossip - ...... 28-36 CHAPTER III. THE AMERICAN THEATRE. Davy Garrick at Drury Lane, London — English Actors sail for America — Vo}'age in the Charming Sally in 1752 — The First American Tiieatre — The First Programme — The First New York Theatre, 1753 — Tlie First Per- formance in Philadelphia, April, 1754 — The First Show in Boston, August, 1792 — The Priest and the Spanish Lady — Elegant Theatres of the Present Period 37-42 (5) () CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. AT THE STAGE-DOOR. PAQKS Front Door and Back Door Entrances — " Mashers " at the "Stage-Door" — The Cerberus "who Stands Guard — Perquisites Paid to Him — Bulkhead and the Ballet Girls — The Tricks of the Scene Painter on the Girls — The Girls' Revenge — Bold and Heartless Lovers — Notes Pushed under the Drcssing-Room Door — Alice Oates's Mash — Watching the Manu3uvres of the "Mashers" — Tale of the Pink Synimetricals - - 43-54 CHAPTER V. « BEFORE THE FOOT-LIGHTS. People who Patronize the Theatre — The Young Blood — Members of the " Profesh " — The Giddy and Gushing Usher — The Bouncer — The Peanut Cruncher — The People who go out "Between Acts" — The Big Hat Nuisance — Anecdote of George and Harry - - - C5-C8 CHAPTER VI. BEHIND THE SCENES. An Amateur Theatre — The Author's Experience as " Imp" in a Spectacular Scene — \ Trip to the Moon - - C9-85 CHAPTER VII. I\ Tin: 1>KESSING-1«)<)M. Goodwin's " Make-up " for Hobbies — Booth and Company Playing "Hamlet" in Street Costume — Dressing- Roonis of Uld-Time and Present Theatres — Louis Harrison Spoils a Play at San Francisco — How Actors "Makeup" for Various Parts — Tin; Hair-Dresser and (iie Actress SC.-IOS CHAPTER Vill. WmilN IIIK WINiiS. The Stage Promi)ter and His Duties — Actors who " Stick" and scnne who " Never Slick " — A Popular Actress and CONTENTS. PAGES her Useful Husband — The Firemen's Amours — Mary Anderson and Her Chewing-Gum — Emmet's Indiscre- tions 106-121 CHAPTER IX. STAGE CHARMS AND OMENS. Burning of the Southern Hotel and Kate Claxton's Pres- ence — Superstitions of John McCuUough, Eaymond, Joe Jefferson, Sothern, Florehce, Booth, Chanfraii, Byron, Tliorue, Neilson, Lotta, etc., etc. — Coui'tainc andlnce 122-143 CHAPTER X. NOT DOWN IN THE BILL. Actors who Memorize whole Newspapers — Lovely Peggy — Kean Dying as ho Played — Sol. Smith's Fuany Adven- ture — A Masher made Serviceable — Charlotte Cush- man and the Colored Bell-Boy who brought Down the House — The Call-Boy's Revenge — The Lecturer, Trick Candle and Trap Door — An English Performance of William Tell 144-161 CHAPTER XI. THE ILLUSIONS OP THE STAGE. Mrs. Bellamy and Mr. St. Leger in Dublin — Rousseau's Description of Paris Opera — Modern Mechanism — • Producing Steam, Fire, Thunder, Lightning, etc. — Olive Logan and her Jewels — Snow Storm in "The Two Orphans" — Rain in "Hearts of Oalv " — Rivu- lets in " Danites " — Funny Inventory of "Property " in a London Theatre 162-182 CHAPTER XII. MORE OF THE MYSTERIES. The Property-Mau and lils Duties — Sunlight — Moon- light — Twinliling of Stars — Ocean Waves — Fire in " Phcenix " and " Streets of New York " — Full Descrip- tion of the Famous Raft Scene ----- 183-104 8 CONTENTS. CHAlTKIi XIII. TIIK ARMY OF ATTACHES. PACKS Broken Down or "Crushed" Actors as Door-Kcepera — The Treasurer of the Theatre — The Uslier — Orchestra and Leader — Stage Manager — The Scenic Artist — Tlie Stage Carpenter, Supes and Minor Attaches, and Last but not Least the Call-Boy 195-205 CHAPTER XIV. STAGE STRUCK. The Young Man from Cahokia — The Box of Gags — Stage Struck Girls of Louisville — Tlie College Graduate from Illinois — "The Warrior Bowed His Crested Head"— The "N. G." Curtain — Marie Dixon's Fail- ure — Mrs. II. M. Lewis, of Charleston, Duped by Schwab & Rummel — Harry Russell Tseudo "Mana- ger" — A Colored Troop's Curious Epistle - - - 20G-22C CHAPTER XV. THK REHKAUSAI,. Old-Time and Present Rehearsals — Olive Logan's Descrip- tion of a Rehearsal — Rehearsal of the Corps de Bal- let — Appearance of Tagliom, Cerito, Carlotta Grisi, Lucile Grahn at Her Majesty's Theatre, in London - 227-240 CHAPTER XVI. CANDIDATES FOR SHORT CLOTHES. Advertising for Ballet Girls — Salaries Paid them — Who Apply — Where the Can-Can Flourishes — The Ups and Downs of a Ballet Girl's Life — The Nautch Dancers 241-250 CIIAI'TER XVII. TRAINING BALLET DANCERS. Interviewing Sig. J. F. Cardella — The French School Theatre La Scala — Amount of Practice Reciuired — Tiie American Ballet — Salaries of Premieres, Coryphees, etc. — The Time Required — A Little Fond and Foolish at Times 251-2C3 CHAPTF.R XVIII. PLAYS AM) ri.AYWRIGHTS. The Trials and Tribulations of the Gawky Young Drama- CONTENTS. 9 PAGES tist — English, French and American Playwrights — The Desire for Foreign Plays — Bartley Campbell's Christmas Story 264-275 CHAPTER XIX. MASHERS AND MASHIXG. Gunakophagists or Woman-Eaters — Corner Loafers — Mashers of the Profession — Female Mashers — The * Blonde Beauties of the Leg Drama — Model Letter — Lillian Russell's Escapades — " Patti " and the Midget "Foster" — The Old Masher Squeezed — The Girl in Red Tights at Uhrig's Cave — Music and Mashing - 27C-296 CHAPTER XX. THE MAIDEN AND THE TENOR. Ambleleg — His Soul Full of Art and Throat Full of Music — Miss Justaytine the Pink of Beauty and Per- fection of Belleship — The Chorus Singer Mashed on the Maiden — The Mash Mutual — The Brother and Lover Mash the Tenor — Suit for ^10,000 and the Com- promise 29G-a02 CHAPTER XXI. FISHING FOR FREE PUFFS. A First-Class Puff in a Leadville Paper — All Anxious to Appear in Print — Various Ways of Puffing — Sending Photos — Diamond Robberies — Falling Heir to a For- tune, etc. — Minnie Palmer's Artless Display of Un- derwear — The Abbott Kiss — Catherine Lewis Fling — Emelie Melville's Presents to Critics — The Morning Buzzard and the Evening Crow - - - - - 303-314 CHAPTER XXII. THE ACTRESS AND THE INTERVIEWER. All Performers must Meet the Interviewing Fiend — How the Interviewer is Received by Patti, Nilsson, Gerster, Kellogg, Cary, Ilauk, Abbott, Bernhardt, Morris, Mod- jeska, Neilson, Andei'son, Davenport, Mitchell, Lotta, and Others 316-319 CHAPTER XXIII. A FEW FOOT-LIGHT FAVORITES. Mistress Woffington — Children as Actors and Actresses — 10 CONTENTS. PAfiE.S Little Corinne — Debut of Emma Livry — Nell Gwynuc the Fish Girl — Lola Montez, the Pretty Irish Girl — Adali Isaiics Menken as Mazeppa — Mar}' Anderson the Tragedienne — Lotta and Maggie Mitchell, and a Host of Others a20-342 CHAPTER XXIV. CHINESE AND JAPANESE THEATRICALS. Great Length of the Play — Description of a phinese Thea- tre — The Prompter — The Audience — The Actors — The Musicians — Japanese Theatres — No "Reserved Seats"— Prices of Admission — Side Shows - - 3-t3-.'552 CHAPTER XXV. OPKRA AND OPERA SINGERS. Palmo, the Father of Italian Opera in America — Interview with Col. Mapleson — The Cost of Rigging a Com- pany — What it Costs Every Time the Curtain is Rung Up — Mme. Grisi's Superstition — The Best Operas — Salaries of Singers — Neilson and the Diamond Mer- chant 353-300 CHAPTER XXVI. THE MINSTREL BOYS. Emmet, Brower, Whltlock and Pelham among the Earliest — Pot-Pie Herbert — Daddy Rice and Jim Crow — Zip Coon — Coal Black Rose — My Long Tail Blue — Early Days of George Cliristy — Minstrel Men Generally Im- provident — Minstrel Men as Mashers — Ilaverly's Mas- todon Minstrels — The Boys at Rehearsal - - - 3C7-381 CHAPTER XXVII. l-ANIOMIME. George L. Fox, tlie King — G. H. Adams, liis Successor — Boxing Night in London 382-388 CHAPTKR X.WIII. VARIETY DIVES AND CONCERT SALOONS. FirBt-Class Varieties — Harry Hill's Famous Resort — In- terview with Harry Hill — Ida and Johnnie — Deacons in a Dive — The Bouncer at Work — The Cow-Boy's Call for Mary — The Can-Can — Music by Bands — Over the Rhine 389-415 CONTENTS. 11 CHAPTER XXIX. A TEAM OF IRISH COMEDIANS. PAGES Ginnis the Alderman ---.... 41G-429 The Song and Dance Men — Ilarrigan & Hart — Levi Mc- CH AFTER XXX. THE BLACK ART. Sword Swallowers — Jugglers in America, Europe, China, and Hindoostan — Herman Sells the Barbers — Her- man Sold by the "Boys" — Wonderful Chinese Jug- glers — How Ladies are Suspended iu Mid-Air — How to Eat Fire — Walk on Red Hot Iron — Cut off a Man's Head, etc., etc. 430-439 CHAPTER XXXI. THE INDIAN BOX AND BASKET TRICK. The Trick-Box — The Board — The Basket — The Magi- cian's " Ghost Story " 440-448 CHAPTER XXXII. * VENTRILOQUISM. Prof. Kennedy and Val Vose — Louis Brabant Valet de Chambre to Francis I. Wins Wife and Fortune through his Wonderful Gift — M. St. Gille and his Wonderful Exploits — Alexandre and the Load of Hay — The De- lusion Fully Explained — How to do it — The Suffo- cated Victim .-- 449-458 CHAPTER XXXIII. ON THE ROAD. Making Dates at the " the Square " — Copy of Contracts — Billing the Town — The Cyclonic Advance Agent - 459-465 CHAPTER XXXIV. THE GREEN-EYED AND OTHER MONSTERS. The Street Arabs and Lotta — The Stage at the Beginning of the Eighteenth Century — Little "Accidents" of Bernhardt and Indiscretions of Patti — " Sudden John- nie " and Colombier — Lizzie McCall's Crime — Miss Bertha Welby and Miss Cleves — The " Old Gray " and the Skipping Rope Dancer — Husband and Wife and Ballet Girl — Mephistopheles and Venus - - -466-483 12 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXV. JOHN WILKES BOOTH, PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ASSASSIN. PACKS Shooting of Abraham Lincoln — Booth's Rehearsal at Wal- lack's — All Old Actor's Opinion of J. W. Booth — His Eichard the IH. a Fine Piece of Acting — Booth and Collier as Eichard and Eichmond 484-491 CHAPTER XXXVI. THE SUMMEK VACATION. How the Stars and Lesser Lights Disport Themselves — Actors at the Seaside — The *' Old Gray " Surprises the Actors at the Banquet — Millions Spent upon Theatri- cals .... 4hi;N tHKA riili. CHAPTEK III. THE AMERICAN THEATRE. Goocl-natured, rosy-cheeked, cheerful little Davy Garrick, as Dr. Johnson called the tragedian, was in the zenith of his glory at the Drury Lane, London, about the middle of the last century, and Goodman's Fields, which had cradled the wonderful actor, was in its decline. It declined so rapidly after Garrick deserted it that its manasfer, Wm. Hallam, failed in 1750, and the theatre was closed. Hallam at once turned his thouo:hts toward America as a tield in which his fortune might be replenished, — English actors and managers still look upon this country as an El Dorado, — and so he consulted with his brother Lewis Hallam, a comedian, and the two came to the conclu- sion to organize a company and run the risk of being scalped by what they considered the liberal but blood- thirsty tomahawk-wielding citizens of the New World. They got a company together, twenty-four stock plays, many of them Shakespearian, were selected, Avith eight farces and a single pantomime," The Harlequin Collector, or The Miller Deceived." Wm. Hallam and his brother were to share the profits of the ven- turI()NTA(JrE. lowing advertisoniciit, ])iil)Ii>Ii('il in tlio GIohc-Democrat of tlio proccfliiiir Sim