CHAPTEB   XXIV.
 

(1796-1797,)
 

Theatres and Xheatricals in New York from 1732—Introduction ef Italian

Opera—Old Oity'a Opinion of the Derivation of the

Word Drama—Theatre Beceipts in 1827.

The hiatory of the New York atage datea back to September, 1732,
when a company of profesalona! actors arrived from London and aocured
a room in a building near the Junction of Pearl street and Maiden Lane,
capable of seating four hundred peraons. With a alight Intermlsalon they
continued their performancea here until February. 1734, when tho com¬
pany was disbanded. Some of their productlona were "Cato: A Tragedy,"
and "The Recruiting omcer," "Tbo Beaux' Stratagem," and "The Busy¬
body," comedies. Individuals and minor companies entertained the old
citlaene up to the winter of 1749, when a company crossed tbe Mlantic
and began a season of eight months* entertainment.

On the estate of Rip Van Dam the first Nassau Street Theatre waa
built. It stood between John atreet and Maiden Lane, a two-atory houae,
with blgb gables. The opening bill, on March 6, 1750, was "Richard in,"
with Thomas Kean as Richard. It was in this house on December 21, 1751,
that "Olbello" was played for the flrst time In America. September 17,
17G3, in a theatre on the east aide of Naasau street. Lewia Hallam, who
bad, according to tbo record, been refused a license In the early part of
tbe year to perform In New York, received permission to present the "Con¬
scious Lovers*' and "Damon and Phlillda** In the theatre mentlouod. Hero
alBO "Romeo and Juliet," on January SS, 1754, bad its first representatloo.

The corporation of tbo old city seemed to took with disfavor on the¬
atricals, as the record says they refused permission to another company
to open a new playhouse erected on Cruger'a Wharf, between Old and
Coentles alipa, by David Douglass, and known as David Douglaaa'a Theatre,
The corporation relented, however, and tbe tboatro was opened on Decem¬
ber 2S, 17GS, with tbe tragedy of "Jane Shore." In iTGd the company left
New York on tour, and on Its return In 1761 occupied a new theatre on
the corner of what Is now Nassau and Beohman atreota, "Henry IV" was
given for the flrat time on the American stage here, and "Hamlet" for the
flrat time in New York.

On the north side of John atreet, near Broadway, on December 7, 1767,
a new playhouse was opened. Seasons of entertainment were given In It
up to October 24, 1774, when Congress recommended "that all places of
public amusement should he cloaed."   A short Hat of tbe plays given will

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