London Assurance – Benefit for Charles Peters

      “Benefit of Mr. Charles Peters, comedian, who was recently severely injured by being run over by a Third-ave. car.”

      “Mr. Thomas Baker will preside in the orchestra in the afternoon, and Mr. John P. Cooke in the evening.”

      “Chas. Peters’ Benefit. – Tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon and evening, this deservedly popular comedian, who was recently severely injured by being run over by a horse-car, and who will probably never again be able to appear upon the stage, will receive a benefit at the Academy of Music, tendered him by his brethren of the dramatic profession. Mr. Peters, during his long residence among us, has, by his ready appreciation and excellent rendition of the many humorous characters he has sustained, made himself a universal favorite. His Rinney, in the “American Cousin,” will be remembered as one of the finest pieces of acting of the kind we have ever had in this city. The bill offered for his benefit—“London Assurance” at the matinèe, and in the evening the “School for Scandal,” each with a cast of unusual excellence—forms an attraction sufficient in itself to fill the Academy to its utmost capacity. The New-York public, proverbial for its generosity, will certainly not miss this opportunity to prove their appreciation and rememberance of an old favorite.”

      Program and performers.

      “The affair is in the hands of all the managers of the city, and will no doubt be a success. Mr. Peters was run over a short time since by one of the Third avenue cars, the wheel passing over his leg and fracturing his ankle terribly. . . .That Mr. Peters will not be able to appear on the stage again for a long time is a fact, and as he has a large family, it is hoped that his benefit will be a substantial one.”

      “Volunteer Benefits are not, as a general thing, dramatically and pecuniarily successful. . . . There are some few exceptions, however, and the testimonial to Mr. Charles Peters was one of them. . . .His friends at once took measures to get up a dramatic entertainment for his benefit—the Academy of Music was secured for Thursday, the 8^th inst.; and it was decided to give two performances, one in the afternoon, the other in the evening. To the honor of the profession, be it recorded, managers and people at once came forward in the most liberal manner, and each and every one seemed anxious to contribute in some way toward making the benefit a complete success.  We cannot do better, probably, than to give a copy of the bill of entertainments, so that it may appear plainly on our theatrical record, and be referred to in after years as one of the notable theatrical events of the age. [Gives program for both performances].

      Nearly every theatre in this city and Brooklyn was represented, and no less than six managers and lessees of theatres performed in the plays presented. . . .All hands and the Cooke, as well as the Baker, were present, and performed their respective parts in a creditable manner.  The Academy of Music itself does not draw much, it being in a sort of out-of-the-way locality, and that is one reason, perhaps, that the audiences were not as large as they might have been at some other theatre; but it is said that the committee will hand over to Mr. Peters about $2,000 as the result of the two performances. It is only necessary to refer to the casts of the plays presented to show what a treat was afforded the audiences in attendance.”

      “Mr. Charles Peters, we are glad to learn, is recovering from his late accident, and will, no doubt, be able to resume his profession, although not for some time yet. When he does tread the mimic again he will have a slight limp in his walk. He was handed, last week, the sum of $2,500 realized from his benefit at the Academy of Music a short time since. Mr. Peters is a great favorite with the public, and his rentree will be hailed with pleasure by all.”