- Watty Wallack
. . . for more information on Watty Wallack >>>
Wallack's Gallery of Illustration was located in what was otherwise called Freemasons' Hall.
a view of the Court House on Harbour Street in the 1840s
Daily Gleaner, November 14, 1883
THE STAGE.
Perhaps at this dull season of the year nothing is more delightful to
the Kingstonans than parading of a little wholesome pleasure in the
shape of amusement during the long but cool nights which not only
passes their leisure pleasantly, but improves and enlightens the mind,
pleases the eye, and gratifies the senses. What can be more
enjoyable than a hearty laugh, or more conducive to health than the
pleasure derived from a two hours spent in listening to a harmless
moral recreation, and now is the time to take it. The opportunity
is afforded by the recent arrival in our midst of the talented and
world-renowned old favorites in Jamaica "The Wallack Tripologue —
"comprised of the charming prima donna, Fannie Wallack, Watty
Wallack and J. A. Rider". Mr. Wallack made his first appearance
in Jamaica nearly 18 years ago, in a Monologue Entertainment. He
was then "The Idol of the Hour," and for many nights, by his own
individual talent, crowded the Theatre to its utmost capacity. Seven
years later the comedian returned amongst us — with a lovely young
wife as accomplished as she was beautiful. The talented pair were
accompanied with the sterling actor, Mr. Rider, and the trio gave
over 800 representations of their performances in the island, holding
forth during the last 6 months of their stay at Wallack's Gallery of
Illustration, which was at that time a very popular place of resort,
having been fitted very elegantly as a complete drawing room theatre
on Harbour Street. It now retains its name as Wallack's gallery. The
Wallack troup have for the past ten years increased uieir fame and
popularity to a remarkable extent throughout the United States, and
Mrs. Fannie Wallack has had the advantages of masterly tuition and
Italian finish lavished on her voice, a pure soprano of large calibre,
and she is now favorably compared by the unanimous voice of the
Press with the leading Opera Prima Donnas of the period. We have
refrained until now from lauding tho performances of these artists,
because we were unable to witness the entertainments in their
entirety until last Monday night. Of course we expected to see
something good, but nothing like the agreeable surprise afforded us
on that occasion. The artistic acting of all — the pure English language
spoken, the magnificent costuming of the prty, the complete naturalness
with which everything was accomplished from first to last was most
charming, and no one would have imagined anything studied that was
enacted. Our allotted space does not permit entering into dettdls of
the programme, which embraced the musical comedy of "Paris." A fine
character concert, and laughable Protean farce; but a more pleasant
and thoroughly good performance of the kind we have not so much
enjoyed for years. The patronage to these entertainments has not,
we regret to say, been commensurate with their merits, but we must
blame Mr. Wallack for that, if blame there be, for the prices of
admission have been rather in excess of the usual rates, and many
who would like to attend are thus prevented; but Mr. Wallack, has, at
the suggestion of the public at large, reduced the entrance fee for
the next performance on to-morrow night (Thursday) to the following
low figure: dress circle and parquette 3s; family ticket to admit four
10s, no extra for reserving seats at Gleaner Office; upper circle
1s 6d. With such prices as these, and so remarkably good a
performance, the Company, we feel confident, will have bumper houses,
and leave Jamaica and their old friends well pleased with their farewell
visit.