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Show THE CITIZEN Theatre Passes FAMOUS PLAY HOUSE TO BE WRECKED New Telephone Building GEORGE D. PYPER HAS BEEN nearly seventy years ago, the pride of Brigham Young, but famous men and women scattered throughout the world, will deeply regret its passing. Many actors and actresses feel a deep affection and tenderness for it. Many, have made eloquent appeals to their audiences to preserve it. Many have offered to contribute to its support Others have offered to raise funds to keep it in repair or to rebuild it. Henry Miller remarked, shortly before his death: It would be a shame to let' this theatre go. There are some things that are worth more than mon- MANAGER FOR YEARS. THE PASSING of the Salt into the hands of the telephone company, more interest has been shown in the old playhouse than bas been the case for several years. It seems a shame that this old landmark, which has stood for so many years as a testimony to the world of the extraordinary foresight, ingenuity md inventive genius of the people sINCE Lake Theatre who pioneered this great western must be demolished. In all probability, if conditions in the dramatic world were today as they were two or three decades ago, the theatre would be preserved, either re- country, ey, and sentiment is one of these. Personally, before I would permit this historic structure to be razed I would bring Blanche .Bates, Maude Adams facilities for travel and truckage, but it was a real feat in the days when the pioneers came to this barren valley. When we realize the vasiness of the distance that separated this little colony of people from the western edge of our civilization, we cannot help but marvel at the ambition, skill and fortitude dsplayed in erecting the unusual structures which they did at that time. The theatre was built in the days when sugar sold for $50.00 a hundred; flour for $40.00 a hundred; a hundred and pracnails for $35-0tically everything else, which had to be freighted in by ox teams, was proportionately high. The love of clean amusements has always been a strong characteristic of the Mormon people. In the days of Nauvoo they had their choirs and dramatic organizations. The pioneer leaders realized that amusements were vitally necessary in order to have happy and contented people. In 1850 they staged dramatic productions in the Temple square, where the Tabernacle now stands. No doubt, the improvised scenery and furniture was crude, but the audiences were prob- 0 . galleries and a dome, but the dome and one gallery were removed shortly after the theatre opened as it was decided these interfered with the ac-cousti- cs. On March 6, 1862 the theatre was dedicated, although at this time it was far from completed. Invitations were issued by Brigham Young, on the bottom of which advice was given to dress warmly and to leave all children under the age of four at home as it would be impossible to heat the building sufficiently. No admission was charged. The house was filled to capacity The choir opened with song. Daniel H. (Squire) Wells offered the dedication prayer, eloquently invoking the blessing of the Lord upon every part and parcel of the great theatre. He concluded his petition with: that the building might crumble to the dust and pass away as if it had never been, sooner than it should pass into the hands of the wicked or be corrupted and polluted. W. C. Dunbar sang The Star Spangled Banner. This was followed by an address on the mission of the drama in general by Brigham Young. Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor then gave brief addresses. The dedication ceremony closed with the singing of an anthem, the music of which was composed by Professor C. J. Thomas and the words by Eliza R. Snow, especially for this great occasion. Historians differ in their accounts of the opening night, some stating that Pride of the Market and State Secrets were given the same evening as the dedication program, but in ail probability this was not so as the dedication exercises were too lengthy to permit this. The first paid performance was given March 8th, with the play Pride of the Market, followed by the farce State Secrets. It was the custom in the early days to always give a farce after the regular play had been given. The performance was scheduled to begin at 7 oclock' (some historians say 6 oclock). At 5 oclock hundreds were at the doors waiting to get before 7 oclock not even standing room was available. Admission prices were 75c for iower floor and first circle and 50c for upper galleries. Those who took part were John T. Caine, Henry Maiben, Jos. Simmons, R. H. Parker, David McKenzie, H. B. Clauson, S. D. Sirrine, R. Mathews, Henry Snell, John B. Kelly, Mrs. in-Lon- Salt Lake Theatre, oldest show house in the United States. Soon to be displaced for magnificent Telephone Office Building. or replacd by one as nearly tike it as it would be possible to build. This is not the case, however. Great changes have taken place in the thea-Meworld as well as in the business orld. Motion pictures and vaudeville wore popular today than the Poken drama. In consequence of this the Salt Lake Theatre has been a timing proposition for its owners for modeled al - wal years. The ever given way to theIf it were not so, progression Would cease. Our city is growing and old has Egress demands that this historic old foncture give way to a modern, fire-Jj- f office building. Yet, when it is polished' probably more hearts will 7 nde sad than would be the case any other building was razed. Not will many Utahns feel it a sacri-to tear down this theatre, built & and other noted actors and actresses here and give a theatrical festival that will raise $50,000 and present it to the city, with the understanding that the city raise a like amount for the purpose of- purchasing and saving of this historic building. But Henry Miller, like many of the great actors and actresses who have walked upon its stage, has passed on. It is interesting to note that this is the oldest theatre in America showing the best dramatic productions and musical performances. There are one or two show houses still standing in the country which are a trifle older. Fourteen years after the first pioneers landed-ithis desert waste they commenced the erection of this building. It would be no feat today to build one of. our modern office buildings in the western desert, with all the modem - n ably more appreciative of the performances than they are today when listening to the worlds greatest artists. In 1852 Social Hall was completed on the site where the Belvedere Apartments now stand. Lady of Lyons was the opening performance given by the Deseret Dramatic Association. This was the first attempt to produce high class dramatic productions in the west. San Francisco at this time had made no attempt to do so. The population of the city grew rapidly and Social Hall soon became inadequate to house the people, so Brigham Young decided to build the Salt Lake Theatre. William H. Folsom drew the plans for the building, the design being along the lines of the famous Drury Lane Theatre of London. It was originally built with four g Woodmansee, Mrs. Id. G. Clawson, W. C Dunbar, H. E. Bowring, W. H. Miles, Phil Margetts, Mrs. Bowring, and Maggie Thomas. (Continued to Page 14) s lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll': ! c OldMillClub 5 I THE COLUMBIANS i Salt Lakes newest s dance orchestra and finest music. Come every nite. 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