Articles on the public’s shifting preference for “legitimate” drama

“There is still a faint hope that Niblo’s may yet be redeemed and converted to the worship of the ‘legitimate,’ instead of longer following after false and ‘Crook’-ed gods. For a long time the adamantine hearts of its luxurious managers were proof alike to the assaults of indignant critics and the pleadings of a virtuous public, but their hearts of late, we rejoice to say, have felt the chastening influence of sweet morality, and their consciences likewise have suffered the bitter stings of the remembrance of Gotham’s early innocence and their own infantile simplicity. The natty Harry Palmer, the very head and front of the nude drama offending in this country, as he sips his ‘Mumm’ and perspires of new ‘effects’ for the sensational dramas, is ‘mum’ as regards his future movements among the short-skirted nymphs; but the complacent Jarrett—also a Harry—utterly refuses longer to bow in meek submission to the adoration of the ‘fatted (padded) calf’ of the gorgeous ‘spectacular.’ He forswears centipedal extravagances of every nature, and will have nothing whatever hereafter to do with such ‘abominations,’ even if they do happen to be cloaked in pink fleshings, gauze and fringe. Moreover, he contemplates entering the dramatic field at an early day, in the capacity of a missionary, and will devote his time, talents and money—with each of which he is plentifully supplied—to the good cause of rescuing the ‘legitimate’ from the dire destruction which even now threatens it. While we wish Mr. Jarrett every success in his praiseworthy undertaking, we cannot but deplore the fact that Mr. Palmer, his joint partner in the ‘leg business,’ has not also buckled on his armor for the cause of the degenerated ‘legitimate.’ But, as the sailors say—not ye ancient mariner Sinbad—‘the wind sometimes comes out from unexpected quarters,’ we will still trust for Harry’s conversion, believing that ‘while the lamp holds out to burn,’ &c.”

“The regular musical and dramatic season, which terminated so abruptly in this city a few short weeks ago, still languishes. The petty animosities and jealousies which last season existed among our managers led many of them into ruinous ruts from which some few of them have not even yet succeeded in extricating themselves. Imitation was their only strategy, and in many cases it proved their bane and ruin. So soon as one manager hit upon an original idea, or something novel which was at all likely to prove remunerative, so long as there was not too much of it, others there were, who straightway sought to imitate him, and the result was most disastrous to all concerned. Satiated to an alarming degree with the veriest [sic] trash, the good natured public at last refused to partake longer of the nauseating doses that had been prescribed for its benefit and amusement by our managerial doctors, many of whom, when the tide of public appreciation turned back again into the legitimate channel, found themselves left in the lurch, and were absolutely compelled to swallow their own villainous stuff. Contracts were made for the entire season, salaries were to be paid, likewise heavy rents, so, acting upon the principle that ‘a half loaf was better than no bread,’ many of our theatres have been kept open up to the present time, notwithstanding the fact that but very few of them have been clearing expenses and not a few of them losing money every week. The theatrical market was completely glutted with opéra bouffe, pantomime and burlesque, dished up to us in many instances by foreign importations of only a mediocre caliber, while genuine talent of a native growth, of all grades and genders, was sent prowling about the provinces, to pick up a precarious subsistence to keep it from starving. Managerial fingers were severely scorched by these same ‘importations,’ and in some instances managers who sought to take the wind out of the sails of rival theatrical craft by impudent and brazen ‘imitation’ were left floundering amid the billows of direct ruin, with not a plank to stand upon.

“Warned by the sad experience of the past, our managers are still in doubt and unpleasant uncertainty as to the particular tactics which they will adopt for the approaching campaign. Affairs theatrical and musical remain in statu quo [sic], or pretty nearly as they were at the commencement of the summer season. But few arrangements as yet have been perfected for the coming season, and still fewer engagements have been effected between artists and managers. There, however, appears to be a most decided opposition on the part of the latter to any further indulgence in the effervescent extravagances of opéra bouffe, pantomime, burlesque and ‘the show business’ generally, and a corresponding and praiseworthy determination to return without delay to the ‘legitimate,’ which year after year has carried them safely over their troubles. With the revival of the ‘legitimate’ there will at last be some prospect for genuine talent and artistic capabilities being recognized but as yet matter are in such an unsettled state that managers themselves scarcely know what they intend doing. Although our city is at the present moment filled with the actors and actresses who have returned from their rural rambles and banishment, and although metropolitan and provincial managers are also in town for the purpose of reorganizing their various companies and effecting engagements for the fall and winter season, we regret to say that but very few engagements have as yet been made. There appears to be a disposition on the part of our managers to grind down the poor actors to the lowest possible sum for their services, and the actors in turn seem just as determined to hold out for the old rate of wages which was paid when ‘brains,’ not ‘legs,’ was the commodity sought after. As ‘brains’ once more promises to hold sway over the mimic stage it will be rather interesting to watch the progress of this game of ‘bluff’ between manager and actor. So far as perfected the following bids fair to be the programme of the theaters in this city for the approaching season:—”

Offers a paragraph each on: Booth’s Theatre; Wallack’s Theatre; Niblo’s Garden; Grand Opera House; Academy of Music; Theatre Francais; Olympic Theatre; Wood’s Museum and Metropolitan Theatre; Fifth Avenue Theatre; Tammany Hall; Bowery Theatre; Theatre Comique; Tony Pastor’s Opera House; Bryants’ Minstrels; San Francisco Minstrels; New-York Circus; New Yorker Stadttheater; Waverley Theatre.

A satirical list of what popular managers are up to, reading in part:

“Manager Tayleure made a great ‘hit’ yesterday.

Theodore Moss is utterly disgusted with pantomime.

Henry C. Jarrett is training for missionary duties.

Harry Palmer talks of starting a glove manufactory.

Charles Fisher is fishing for trout on Long Island.

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams are bathing at Bath.

J. Lester Wallack is hunting up new plays in London.

Rip Van Winkle Jefferson is dozing near the Park.”

A second satirical list of what popular managers are up to, reading in part:

“Harry Palmer has given up the idea of going into the kid glove business. He is content to let well enough alone, and is satisfied with the profits from his two theatres and one hotel.

Mr. Jarrett also relinquishes the idea of turning missionary, and contemplates establishing a Sunday school at Niblo’s Garden, in imitation of the ‘Morning Star Sunday School’ which was recently ousted from the Grand Opera House by Jubilee, Jr. Wonders will never cease.”

A third satirical list of what popular managers are up to, reading in part:

“Miss Lydia Thompson is slowly recovering from her recent severe illness.

Tayleure, the lion tamer, is cultivating muscle and squashes on Long Island.

J. Lester Wallack has three new dramas for next season. Like Oliver Twist, he is in London looking for ‘more.’

Manager Jarrett’s ‘Sunday school’ scheme is a failure. The parsons failed to back him up properly.”

If it were not for the large floating population which the summer season brings to New York most of our theatres would now be comparatively deserted. For New Yorkers are either out of town or else thoroughly disgusted with the blonde-and-leg spectacular drama, which still fitfully flickers behind the footlights. It bids fair ere long to be completely extinguished. Even the pugilistic combats which it has recently provoked only feebly excited the public curiosity as to what mysterious connection there may be between bogus yellow hair and real black eyes, false calves and muscular action. It is too hot weather to try to solve the conundrum, and we give it up.”

“We enter upon a quiet week at the theatres. There is no fun in crowds just now, and melting at the woes of others is quite superfluous to a public which melts in its own. Nevertheless the pulse of theatrical enterprise beats calmly on. [Lists various ongoing entertainments at theaters across the city, briefly noting the success of each.] It will be seen that the immediate phase of theatrical affairs is not brilliant. Long to dwell upon it would be a waste of time. The next event of real importance will be the appearance of Mr. Jefferson at Booths’ Theater in ‘Rip Van Winkle’… Then will come Mr. Daly’s opening of the Fifth Avenue Theater, and so, step by step, we shall advance into the fall activity—ample, various, and strong—of the regular dramatic season.”