Metropolitan Theatre

Intense excitement created by a police raid on the Metropolitan Theatre.

“The stong arm of the law has seized ‘The offenders,’ and they are under bail for future trial. On Wednesday night, Dec. 23, about ten o’clock, Capt. McDonnell of the Eighth Police-precinct and a large force of men entered the auditorium of the Metropolitan Theatre, and arrested the female cancan-dancers and took them to the station-house, where they were locked up for the night. Manager Shapter escaped from the theatre as the officers were entering, but he was subsequently arrested uptown and taken to the police-station and locked up. The case was called for trial in the Court of General Sessions on Thursday, the warrant charging him with keeping a disorderly house and causing an immoral exhibition to be given. The Grand Jury had previously found an indictment against Mr. Shapter, upon which he gave bail and caused the performances to be continued pending the trial of that accusation—hence, the second arrest. The twelve girls were discharged upon their recognizance to appear Dec. 28, and Mr. Shapter gave bail for his future appearance. The Recorder said, “I do not believe in this business, and I am going to break it up;’ and Mr. Shapter’s counsel assured the Court that the cancan performances would not be repeated.”

Elaboration of the program; “At the Metropolitan Theatre the cancan was withdrawn after Wednesday evening, owing to the interference of the police…the bill, which attracted a good attendance.”