Part 339: Thomas G. Moses and Charles B. Hanford
In 1895, Thomas G. Moses was credited with creating the new scenery for Hanford’s Starring Tour. He led a crew that included Ernest Albert and Milton C. Slemmer. The repertoire for the tour was “Virginius,” “The Merchant of Venice,” “Othello,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Damon and Pythias,” “Venice Preserved,” “The Hunchback,” and “Julius Caesar.” Frank G. Connelly managed the tour. Two representatives were sent ahead of the show to pave the way for the tour that opened on September 23 in Wilmington, Delaware and would reach Washington state by November 18. The company was composed of eighteen people, with the “Tripple Alliance” of Hanford, Elihu R. Spencer and Miss Nora O’Brien in the leading roles.
Charles B. Hanford (1859-1926) was 35 years old when the show toured. Born in Amador County, California. he made his debut with the “Barrett Club” of Washington, D. C., in May 1881, at the National Theatre in the part of Cassius in “Julius Caesar” (Opera Glass, Vol. 2, No. 2, 1895, page 18). He started with small roles in his first professional engagements when working with William Stafford. He was playing much larger roles by the end of his first season. The next two seasons were spent working with Thomas Keene where he continued to act in small roles. He eventually attracted the attention of Lawrence Barrett and became a prominent member of Booth’s Company. He acted in Booth’s, Booth-Barrett, and Booth-Mojeska companies. Hanford was soon working with Julia Marlowe in light comedy parts, such as “Mercutio” and “Malvolio.”
By 1895, Hanford owned the magnificent Booth and Barrett production of “Julius Caesar.” In “Julius Caesar,” Hanford originally played the role of Marc Antony, while Edwin Booth played Brutus and Lawrence Barrett played Cassius. In addition to this show, his company carried new special scenery for each of the other six plays in their repertoire. The Evening Star reported, “The new scenery is from the brush of Thomas G. Moses, one of the best known scenic artists in America. It has been found necessary to carry four men to handle this elaborate production and a special car will be used for its transportation”(Washington, D. C., 14 Sept 1895, page 8).
Elihu R. Spencer was thirty- years old when he toured with Hanford. Born in Buffalo, Spencer’s early acting career was supported by the Meech brothers, who were managers in Buffalo. They recommended Spencer to Steele Mackaye, who then hired him to play a minor role in the premiere of “Paul Kauvar.” Spencer worked his way up the acting food chain, and by the fall of 1891 became a prominent member of Julia Marlowe’s company. After two seasons with her, Hanford cast him in the role of “Cassius” for his production.
Nora O’Brien was born in Baltimore, Maryland and was only eighteen years old when she made her debut as Juliet, playing at Ford’s Opera House in Baltimore. After graduating from Loretto Convent near Niagara Falls with high honors, she entered the acting profession. In less than a year, she joined Hanford’s tour.
The Buffalo Courier reported that after the Hanford’s Star tour was completed, Elihu Spencer purchased the scenery, costumes, and properties used by the Hanford-Spencer-O’Brien Company (27 Sept. 1896, page 8). The article commented, “The scenery was painted by Thomas G. Moses, Ernest Albert, and Milton C. Slemmer, the three best scenic artists in the country.”
To be continued…
Was there any direct connection between Edwin Booth and Elihu Spencer?
I have not looked for one, so I do not know.