Fifth Avenue Theatre

“Mrs. Charles Howard Watkins adds her talents to the company at the Fifth-avenue Theatre this evening. She is to appear as Jason in the burlesque of ‘Medea’ and in an old comedy with a new name called ‘Fit to be a Duchess.’ ‘Grist to the Mill’ is the old name.”

“This tiny establishment, with its tiny orchestra and tiny stage, is one of the easiest theatrical nooks in town in which one can laugh away an hour or two at some extravaganza or burlesque.  Medea was given last night with Leffingwell as the unhappy wife and mother . . .  Leffingwell’s makeup was an exact imitation of Ristori in the same rôle, but his agonizing utterances, extraordinary facial expression and immense stage walk would make the veriest cynic laugh. Mrs. Watkins suffered so much from hoarseness that she had no opportunity to display her vocal powers, but she is an accomplished actress. Fit to be a Duchess, she was arch and winning enough to deserve the titles of Duchess of Fun at least. The audience was in general of a fashionable order.”

“. . . . The company is strengthened by the appearance of an old favorite among New-York play-goers, Mrs. Charles Howard Watkins.  This lady had been absent from the local stage for a long time—her last engagement being at a Summer season four years ago, at Wallack’s, in the first play in which the ‘Ghost’ illusion was presented at the American boards. She is a good personator [sic] of the bright, quick heroines of comedy, and even the dashing feminines of burlesque; and although the part of Jason in ‘Medea’ does not afford her the fullest scope for the display of her power, was very warmly received. Mr. Leffingwell was seen and heard in the rôle of the burlesque ‘Medea,’ and was as broadly comic in it as it is possible for him to be.”  

“It is some time since this lady [Mrs. Charles Watkins] has appeared in this city, and as she was a favorite with the public she will no doubt be warmly welcomed. Leffingwell, acknowledged as one of the best burlesque actors on the American stage, will appear as Medea in the burlesque, and as the Marquis in the after piece.”