- Watty Wallack

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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.