Part 426: Thomas G. Moses and William A. Brady
In 1901, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We did two acts of “Under the Southern Skies” for Wm. A Brady. He wanted everything of the best. I spent $1000.00 for furniture and draperies for the two scenes. He thought me awfully extravagant.”
“Under the Southern Skies” was a comedy drama in four acts by Lottie Blair Parker and produced by Brady. It ran for a total of 71 performances at the Theatre Republic in New York, opening on November 12, 1901, and closing in January 1902. The scenery produced for the show was by Moses & Hamilton, along with John H. Young.
The obituary of William Aloysius Brady (1863-1950) reported that he was “a candy butcher, an actor, dramatist, producer and manager of prize fighters, including two world champions, James J. Corbett and Jim Jeffries” (Billboard, 21 Jan. 1950, page 53). Born in San Francisco, he learned many aspects of the theatrical business while touring western theatres during the 1880s. Brady later joined with George Webster to form the Webster-Brady Company, securing the stage rights to Dion Boucicault’s melodrama “After Dark,” proving to be quite lucrative. Brady came to New York as a producer in 1896, featuring James J. “Gentleman Jim” Corbett in several shows, even featuring him as a heavyweight prizefighter. Among the stars whom he managed were Grace George (his wife), Wilton Lackaye, Helen Hayes, Henry E. Dixey, Mary Nash, and Alice Brady (his daughter) At the age of 75, Brady estimated that he had produced over 260 shows, also having built two New York theatres – the Playhouse and 48th Street Theatre. His offices were located in the Playhouse.
Moses & Hamilton also produced the scenery for Brady’s “Pretty Peggy.” Moses recalled the production as “a good opportunity for scenic splendor.” “Pretty Peggy” was written by Frances Aymar Mathews and founded on the life of the famous Irish actress Peg Woffington. It depicted the “charmingly sympathetic story of the love of David Garrick for Peg Woffington, and the tragic ending of that historical romance” (Tammany Times, Vol. 20, No. 26, April 1903, page 6). Mathews included the British Theatre riot in the play that had erupted when the Woffington, attempted to perform at Covent Garden with her French dancers, inciting the English audience’s anti-French sentiment and anger.
For “Pretty Peggy” the Tammany Times reported that “Some 250 people are used in the presentation, and a large number of these are continually before the audience, first as acrobats in a circus tent, next as diners in the picturesque Covent Garden, and finally as rioters in the remarkable mob scene” (Vol. 20, No. 26, April 1903, page 6).
The play opened with trapeze performers, jugglers, dancers and strong men rehearsing their respective feats inside a circus booth at Dublin. It is here that Woffington meets the London actor Garrick. In the next act, Peggy is already the leading woman of the Covent Garden Theatre, and the actress celebrates her birthday by a great feast set out in the green room.
Of this scene, the “Theatre Magazine” reported, “The beautiful eighteenth century costumes are all of extreme riches and the furnishings elaborate to the verge of extravagance, while a veritable army of supernumeraries are employed to add to the animation of this picturesque tableau (Theatre Magazine Vol. 3, page 110).
The riot scene involved 180 men, with the rioters divided into three squads. They rehearsed with Brady and his assistant Frank Hatch, who instructed them in their emotional and vocal responses. Brady invited reporters to attend the rehearsal sessions, thus guaranteeing free advertising for the upcoming production.
It was produced by William A. Brady (1863-1950) and starred his wife Grace George (1879-1961). It opened at the Herald Square Theatre and ran for 48 performances from March until May 1903. There was a return engagement of “Pretty Peggy” at Hoyt’s Theatre with 32 shows from October until November 1903.
1905, Moses again worked for Brady, recording, “Early in May I did a Wm. A. Brady’s “All Around Chicago,” a big show at McVickers. Another $3,600.00 contract.”
To be continued…
