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Assembly Hall
.
263 Main - Listed 1870-77 Directory . See listing
above. |
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Beethoven Hall
. 2nd and Union - 1896-98 Directory . |
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Bella Union
. 37-39 Jefferson -
1877 Directory . |
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Brooms'
Opera . Jefferson between Main 3rd
. 1871-72 directories. |
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Crisp's
Gaiety
. 1859 directory. Crisp's featured famous
performers such as Edwin Booth and Charlotte Cushman. Famed
opera diva Jenny Lind first sang in Memphis at this theatre in 1851.
See
Leubrie's above. |
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Coliseum
.
Madison-Tucker .
1898 directory. |
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Gentry's
Theatre
. 1889-92 Directory.
See May's Bijou. |
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May's Bijou
. 18
Washington . 1888
Directory.. |
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Memphis Theatre
.
See Leubrie's Theatre above. |
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National
Theatre
. Washington
. 1865 directory. |
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New Memphis Theatre
.
See
Leubrie's Theatre above. |
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New Washington
.
1893-94 Directory. See May's Bijou. |
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Odd Fellows
Hall
.
Main-Court
Square. 1859-1923 Directories.
See
Odd Fellows Hall above. |
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Olympic
.
1895 Directory.
See May's Bijou . |
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People's Theatre
.
1985-87 Directory. See May's Bijou.
|
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Varieties
.
Main corner
Washington . 1867-1874 directories. |
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White's Opera
.
See
Bella Union. |
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From "Old Folks Historical
Record" Volumn 1 - 1874-75:
The first
building used in Memphis for theatricals was located in a
block of frame buildings called "Blue Ruin" at the
northwest corner of Jackson and Chickasaw (now called
Front Row). This was about 1831.
About 1838-40, the next
Theatre, was situated on Market Street,
south side, between Front Row and Front Alley. It
was an old frame building, with a rough stage,
scenery and a Drop Curtain used to change scenes. In 1841, a
large frame stable (where Webster Block now stands) was
converted into a very genteel looking theatre by John S.
Potter. It was used a few seasons, before it burned.
In 1849, the
building on the northeast corner of Washington and Center
streets was made into a well-arranged Theatre by Tom
Lennox. Many of the brightest Theatrical Stars
performed here. By 1858-59, this theatre has changed
into a Variety Theatre. About 1855-56,
the New Memphis was constructed expressly for a Theatre by
James Wickersham. Memphis' real theatrical history
begins with this theatre. |
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These theatres
were all located in the Jefferson-Washington area.
Three actual addresses are known: 37-39 Jefferson,
18 Washington, and Jefferson between Main and 3rd.
It's obvious that many of these names shared the same
building, but because they didn't last long, it's not
possible to determine which ones. Broom's Opera is
listed in the 1877 Directory. Bella Union in 1877.
White's Opera in 1874. May's Bijou in 1888.
These four probably were in the same building.
People's Theatre is listed in the 1885-87 Directory.
The Washington in 1893-94. Gentry's in 1889-92.
Olympic in 1895. National in 1865. Varieties
in 1867-74. |
