Tony Pastor’s Opera House

“The nautical drama of Sailors Ashore drew a large audience at this popular establishment last evening. The piece was enacted with a great deal of spirit, every one in it doing their best to make it pass off as smoothly as possible. It is patriotic in the highest sense of the word, and savors immensely of the saline, which rather imparts a spiciness to it rather than otherwise. The ballet and Barry O’Neil, the comic Irish singer, are still the trump cards here.”

“Last week George W. Thompson, formerly the ‘heavy man’ at the New Bowery Theatre and a great favorite on the East Side, commenced an engagement here, appearing as John Schmidt in a sketch called ‘The Persecuted Dutchman,’ and as Ben Block in the drama of ‘Sailor’s Ashore.’ He was enthusiastically received. Barry O’Neil, a late importation, appeared in his Irish witticisms, and Tony Pastor was at home with his budget of comic songs. The Bedouin Arabs appeared in gymnastic exercises. In the drama, T. G. Riggs, Mr. and Mrs. G. F. McDonald and Willis Armstrong, had good roles which they filled to the evident satisfaction of all. Since the destruction of the New Bowery Theatre, lovers of amusement on the East Side find Tony Pastor’s the only place east of Broadway to witness a good performance.”