Articles on the closing of Lucy Rushton's Theatre

     “—There was no performance at Miss Rushton’s Theatre last evening. The fact was announced in a jocular way. A written bill posted on the façade stated that the theatre was ‘closed by order of the Government.’ The populace wondered what this strange device might mean. The spiteful said that the Government, after all, took more interest in the theatre than did the public. We ourselves were at a loss to explain the sybilline mystery of the document until one who had been initiated gave us the key to the enigma. There was something, it seems, defective in the Internal Revenue department of the concern. The receipts were either too large, or too small. At all events Uncle Sam obdurately insisted that he did not get his fair share of them, and with a rudeness which we deplore proceeded to extremities. The result was a suspension, and a very bad joke.

     Had nature taken its proper course the season, and with it the theatre, would have died peacefully on Saturday next. So quietly has the process of dissolution proceeded that no one would have noticed its final stage. As it is the shock must be borne with fortitude.

     It is not improper to speak of the defunct, and we shall endeavor to do so in the spirit of the Latin proverb. Miss Rushton has been but a short time in this country, and is yet unacquainted with its tastes. We are not sure that even with the knowledge she lacks she could have done better as an actress, but at least it might have guided her in the difficult part of managing a small and ill-appointed theatre. Her first essay was in a wretched version of a threadbare melodrama which had been announced in laudatory terms, and which failed utterly. The lady then essayed Shakespearian comedy, and was again unsuccessful. We were among the few who in these efforts recognized some innate talent. The many were neither complimentary nor silent. Suddenly it was noised about that Miss Rushton was to have a theatre of her own. In an incredibly short space of time the rumor crystallized into fact. The lady who had been unsuccessful at one theatre was made the star, and attraction, and directress of another. That she tried to discharge these various duties, and failed, is creditable if unfortunate. We do not desire to dwell on the subject, being persuaded that she might have done better under almost any other circumstances. The fault lay with the associate management, which was noisy, pretentious, ignorant and inefficient. From the frying-pan, this delectable direction stepped superciliously into the fire. Having failed in the commonest of melodramas, it tried the highest of comedies. For the first, it had fine scenery and the general resources of a first-class establishment, (the Olympic;) for the second it had nothing at all except a few hastily-daubed scenes. Failure was inevitable, and it was accepted defiantly. But for the two ingenious and successful burlesques of Mr. Schonberg, it would have been final long ere this. What little success the theatre has enjoyed is owing entirely to the pieces of the gentleman named. The lesson is an unfortunate one, we fear, for Miss Rushton, but it has its value for every one else. It teaches us that the first position here cannot be held except with the entire consent of the public. The community refuses to be taken by the clamor of hardy advertisers. It has its own likings and dislikings, and Miss Rushton’s Theatre and Miss Rushton’s management have happened to be among the latter.”

     “Early Closing.—Despite the ‘brilliant success,’ the ‘great hit,’ and all that sort of fictitious nonsense indulged in by the management of the Parsonage, and endorsed by ‘press and public,’ in referring to the spectacle of ‘Valiant Valentine,’ official notice is given that ‘the winter season’ will close on the 14th inst., and with it the valiant deeds of ‘Valiant Val.’ During the past week things wore a very chequered look, and coming events cast their shadows before as well as behind the curtain, eclipsing the future prospects of the house just as the shadow of the earth recently put the pale moon out of sight. The place has been badly managed from the start, the result of which is a heavy loss to those interested. Poetry on to it:

At the Parsonage the congrega-

Tion grows still smaller nightly,

They should give ‘em something like a play,

Or shut the church up quietly.

‘What shall we do?’ says H. A. Da-

Vis—‘biz shows no improvement.’

The Rushton said—‘I see no way

But the early closing movement.’

     “Aside from the reappearance of Mr. Wallack, the theatrical week has been marked by no especially important incident.

     The closing of Miss Rushton’s Theater did, indeed, attract some attention, because of the ridiculous notice that was posted in front of its gloomy gates, announcing that it had been shut ‘by order of the government.’ The explanation of that mysterious and starting statement is expressed, in one comprehensive phase—non-payment of Internal Revenue. The management doubtlessly sympathizes with that suffering American who was heard to declare that, under the new system of taxes, he couldn’t even put his boot on without a stamp. There is no room for grief however, over the closing of this Theater. It has been conducted on false principles, almost invariably, from first to last. Its stage has generally addressed a low order of taste, and has even done that badly. Mr. Schonberg’s burlesques had merit; but they, as well as the few other tolerable pieces produced, were unable to sustain the burden of a wretched dramatic company. It also remains to be said that Mis [sic] Rushton’s Theater, vain as its little life has been, will not have died in vain, if its fate shall be accepted as a warning by all managers who think that success can be reared, in this city, upon blustering incompetence and brazen vulgarity.”

     “Quite Abruptly the ‘Parsonage’ closed its unsuccessful first season on Monday evening, April 7th. The cause of this sudden close of the house—over the misfortunes of which Miss Lucy Rushton presided—is said to have been some trouble with the revenue collectors, the result, probably, of very bad business.”