Articles on New Theater for Laura Keene

“Laura Keene is said to be studying the feasibility of building a theatre away up town which will eclipse Wallack’s completely.”

Also notes work on Laura Keene’s Theater.

New uptown theatre to be built for Laura Keene.  “Laura Keene’s Theatre has passed into the hands of Mr. Duff, who has leased it to Mrs. John Wood for a period of years.  The fair lessee will take possession in a few weeks, and in the interval the interior is being remodeled and newly decorated.  One of the earliest changes will, we presume, be in the name, for Mrs. John Wood is not likely to sail under any colors but her own, and Miss Laura Keene, it is rumored, (but in a very mysterious and non-committal sort of way,) is having a new theatre built for herself up town.  Not one, but half a dozen new theatres should be erected in the City.  As an investment there is no property that pays so well.  Theatres are always occupied, and the rent, in doubtful cases, can be obtained in advance.  At present they are confined almost exclusively to Broadway.  Persons living far west or east are subjected to a long journey across the City before they can reach them.  A few well-conducted places of amusement, erected in the populous districts of the East and North River, would pay handsomely.”

“Some of the papers have been building a ‘new theatre up town,’ for Laura Keene; but it’s only on paper.  We have made inquiries, have been ‘up town,’ have consulted sundry ‘reliable gentlemen of this city,’ but failed to elicit anything concerning the ‘new theatre.’  We take it for granted, therefore, that no theatre is building up town or down town for Miss Keene, and that the lady will have a roving commission during the coming season, taking along with her one of those ‘first class companies’ with which the ‘provinces’ are usually favored by traveling managers.”