Alhambra Opening

“This new place of public amusement, located at No. 616 Broadway, was opened on Monday evening last under very encouraging auspices. The class of entertainments here given is in the style of the London music halls, which bids fair to become quite popular in this city during the coming winter. The Alhambra possesses a good company, with Mr. Harry Macarthy, ‘the Arkansas comedian;’ Miss Lottie Estelle and Miss May Scott as the ‘bright particular stars.’ The hall has been nicely and comfortably fitted up, and will doubtless become quite a favorite resort. The performances are of a varied and amusing character, the personation sketches of Mr. Macarthy being exceedingly comical and droll. Singing, dancing and burlesque sketches are the principal attrations offered, but other novelities are promised in a short time; and the Alhambra will doubles soon become a recognized institution in this amusement-mad metropolis.”

“These three [Macarthy, Estelle, and Scott] give the performance, although Mr. Macarthy is the only attration worthy of particular notice. The evening’s entertainment opened with Harry Macarthy, who appeared in a series of comic sketches, including ‘A Swell of the First Water,’ with the songs of ‘There’s Nothing Like Style,’ and ‘The Tinker and the Tailor,’ a live Yankee, with a medley of thirty airs, such as a Yorkshire Lout, with the songs of ‘Her Breath Were as Sweet as a Cow’s’ and ‘Gee Who-a-Dobbinn;’ also as an Irish exile, with the song of ‘The Irish Emigrant’s Lament.’ This was followed by Lottie Estelle in two serio comic songs, after which Mr. Macarthy gave an impersonation of a jolly fat Dutchman, with the song of ‘I Smokes Miss Pipe,’ and as a Sailor, with a song and a sailor’s hornpipe; this concludes the first part. The second part consists of an overture by the orchestra—four pieces—and a banjo solo and a clog dance by May Scott. Part third is filled up by Harry Macarthy and Lottie Estelle, who appear in a number of characters of an amusing description, the whole concluding with a double Irish jig by Harry Macarthy and Lottie Estelle. Mr. Macarthy is one of the most pleasing and versatile performers we ever saw. He is good in everything he attempts, no matter whether it be as the swell, the Yorkshireman, the Yank or the Irishman. As a dialectician he is excellent, and withal one of the most entertaining performers we have had the pleasure of hearing for some time. Nowithstanding Mr. M. is an attractive card, it is too much to expect him to be the only attraction needed to make the new place a permanent success. A good singing lady is sadly wanted; also a few other performers to vary the style of entertainment. Besides this, better music than was engaged last week is wanted. Business was very encouraging considering that it was just before election, and by making a few additions to the company the place will no doubt become a success, for it is neatly and comfortably fitted up, and being on the ground floor is easy of access and in an excellent location.”