The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in UtahLindsay, John S. (John Shanks)
Religion
The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in Utah
Lindsay, John S. (John Shanks)
Latter Day Saints; Theater -- Utah -- History
The night after Warner's engagement closed, Sunday, October 12th,
Stephen Massett lectured.
October 13th, Madam Scheller opened her second engagement, playing six
nights, and gave "Roll of the Drum," "Child of the Regiment," "Enoch
Arden," etc. The theatre closed from the 18th to the 23rd on account
of the Militia Muster. The Nauvoo Legion, as the Territorial troops
were called, had a big encampment on the banks of the Jordan river and
of such importance was it that the theatre had to close, as every able
bodied man was expected to drill and all the women and children, of
course, had to go and see them. The late George Q. Cannon and other
high church dignitaries fell into the ranks on this occasion and
carried muskets, whether from the love of exercise or a keen love of
duty, or for the effect of example, this deponent saith not. Nearly
all the dramatic company were in the big drill, so, of course, there
could be no theatres until it was over. It was intended to be a great
demonstration, and it was; almost every Mormon man was in the ranks.
The theatre resumed business with the rest of the town, Saturday the
23rd inst., when one of Madam Scheller's pieces was repeated. This was
Madam Scheller's last appearance at this theatre. She and her husband,
Methua Scheller, went East from here, and died in Memphis in 1878,
during the yellow fever contagion of that dread disease.
On October 25th, the Stones, Amy and Harry, opened up a return
engagement in "French Spy." They played twelve nights, giving
"Fanchon," and "Little Barefoot," etc. Their engagement closed
November 6th, after a very satisfactory engagement.
On the 8th the stock company resumed, and played "Waiting for the
Verdict." Annie Lockhart, who had rested during the Stones'
engagement, resumed and was playing the leading female character in
this play when she was taken very ill. With the aid of kind attention
she got through the night's work, but she went home so ill that she
took to her bed, and on the 18th of November, died. Three days
previous to her death, on the 15th of November, John Wilson and Kate
Denin were ushered in as stock stars, and continued until January 5th,
1870, when they withdrew for a week to give place to Charlotte
Thompson, who played a six nights' engagement, playing "Julia" in the
"Hunchback," "Leah, the Forsaken," "Sea of Ice," and "Court and
Stage." Miss Thompson was a pretty woman and a pleasing actress--a
favorite in the South where she belonged.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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