The first building used for Memphis theatricals was located in a block of frame buildings called "Blue Rain" at the northwest corner of Jackson and Chickasaw (now called Front Row).  This was about 1831.  The next Theatre, about 1838-40, was situated on Market Street, south side, between Front Row and Front Alley.  It was an old frame building, fitted up 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 Church 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 had become a Variety Theatre.

About 1855-56, the New Memphis Theatre was constructed expressly for a Theatre by James Wickersham.  Memphis' real theatrical history begins with this theatre.  It is covered on a separate page of this website. *

 

35-37 Jefferson Avenue .  Between Main Street  and  Front

Broom's Opera . White's Opera . Myer's Opera . Bella Union Novelty

From newspaper articles, we've learned that the Broom's Opera building burned in late December of 1870 and benefits were held for the popular manager Charles H. H. Broom  who was uninsured, to help him re-build his theatre and replace scenery, costumes,  and props.

 

18 Washington Avenue .  Between Main and Front streets

Memphis (1st)   .    National   .    Varieties    .    Olympic (1)    .    People's  

May's Bijou       .     Gentry's     .     New Washington     .     Olympic (2)

The earliest proof we have of this theatre's existence is the 1853 fire reported in the newspaper (below).  This was the original "Memphis" Theatre on Washington Avenue  and it continued using the name "Memphis" after the "New Memphis" (Crisp's Gaiety) opened at 82 Jefferson in 1857.  But toward the end of the year they added their manager's name, "Ash's Memphis Theatre".  In 1858 for the first time, they added street names.  And toward the end of 1959, after the Crisp's Gaiety name reverted back to the original "New Memphis", they began calling themselves the "Old Memphis Theatre" .  By 1965 new management changed the name to "National".

Some of the biggest stars of the time were booked into the Memphis Theatre on Washington, including Edwin Booth and his father Junius Brutus Booth, Charlotte Cushman, Eliza Logan, Anna de LaGrange, and the Great Falstaff Hackett.  After the "New Memphis" opened at 82 Jefferson, the major talents were booked there, and this theatre went into a decline.   By 1865 it had switched entirely to "Variety" acts, and the name was changed to "National Theatre".

The National's form of advertising was quite unique.  It took the form of one line of type, scattered throughout the newspaper.  Each line of type was different, such as "Miss Ada Montrose at the National Theatre" and might appear 15 times on one page.  We have found no other "traditional" type of ads.