Twenty-six years of the life of an actor and manager; interspersed with sketches, anecdotes and opinions of the professional merits of the most celebrated actors and actresses of our day - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ...was at the lowest ebb upon the London stage, the native actresses of the United States should have presented a galaxy of talent, in the persons of Miss Vincent, Miss Ann Waring, Mrs. Richardson, (Miss E. Jefferson,) Mrs. Willis, (late Miss Warren,) all the Placide family Miss Pelby, (Mrs. Anderson,) Mrs. Kent, Miss Mary Duff, Miss Riddle, Mrs. Flynn, and others. Had the managers of the London theatres been aware of its existence, many would have been transplanted to the great metropolis, as attractions of rare value. I have been surprised that Mr. Price, while furnishing the American stage with European talent, did not attempt the task for which he was so well qualified, of introducing some of these young ladies to a London audience. The speculation would have been a profitable one, for talent of the highest order in England always will com-. mand success. The season of 1831 and 1832, was. also marked by another addition of value, in Mr. GEORGE H. HILL. 203 G. H. Hill, better known as Yankee Hill, who, from a very humble position in the Arch Street Theutre, in which he was frequently insulted by the derision and disapprobation of the audience, suddenly became a star, and what is more extraordinary, a good one too. Discharged in disgrace from his situation, for refusing to assist as a courtier, in the coronation scene of the "Exile," glad to escape from an audience who ridiculed him, desperate in his circumstances, and reckless of consequences, he applied to Mr. Simpson, of the Park Theatre, New-York, for permission to attempt a Yankee character. His success at once enabled him to enter the lists, as a star, to share the praise already bestowed upon Hackett in this new species of dramatic character. Making the best of his time during...