1844-06-10-Salem Register-A New Phase of Mormonism
A New Phase of Mormonism
- Salem Register, v44 n47, 10 June 1844, pg. 2, column 5
A NEW PHASE OF MORMONISM.—'HOLY' THEATRICALS. A correspondent of the Warsaw (Ill.) Signal, gives a most irresistibly ludicrous account of the introduction of "the legitimate drama" among the other PERFORMANCES, farcical and otherwise, in the Holy City. It seems that the "Nauvoo Theatre" is an establishment got up by the Prophet for the purpose of enabling him to pay off some of his more pressing debts through the BENEFIT of the ACTS of a company of players, exotic and indigenous.
"It was announced that on the 25th ult., they would favor the citizens of Nauvoo and vicinity, with the 'celebrated' Tragedy of Pizarro, or the death of Rolla, and the 'remarkable' farce of John Jones of the War Office. It so happened, however, that on the evening mentioned, there came up a terrible rain storm, which prevented some of the actors from being there; this, however, did not prevent a large audience from attending, more particularly the ladies, who out of pure charity to Bro. Joseph, came flocking like doves, to assist in his HOLY TROUBLES—some of them came in carriages, but others not having the fear of mud before their eyes, came on foot, holding their dresses at HALF-MAST, for fear of getting them wet. On learning that the play would not come off that night, they repaired to the upper room of the Masonic Hall, where they turned it off with a ball for that evening.
On Friday evening, the first performance came off, according to appointment. At an early hour His Highness the Prophet, accompanied by his attendants, made his appearance and took his seat in the chair of State, which was made expressly for the CONVENIENCE of his Royal Highness. He seemed highly gratified at the able and dignified manner in which the performance was conducted by Reverend Gentlemen, who took the leading characters in the play.—Among the most conspicuous of the performers I noticed Elders B. Young and G. A. Smith, of the "Twelve," and Rev. G. J. Adams of "Spiritual Wife" memory; also, Elder Tho. A. Lyne, late supernumerary in the Park Theatre, of New York, who sustained the part of Rolla in a manner becoming the conspicuous place he lately occupied. The part of Alonzo was sustained by Elder E. Snow, a worthy preacher of the Gospel. The part of Elvira was taken by Mrs Adams, wife of the Rev. Gentleman, and that of Cora by his sister, Miss Adams. In justice to the Ladies, I must say, they performed their parts extremely well, particularly, Cora. We cannot refrain from mentioning that Alonzo's child was ONE of G. J. Adams's "spiritual babies" by Miss ******. "Oh shame! where is thy blush?"; Nothing remarkable happened during the performance of the tragedy. The farce also passed off very well, with the exception of the Rev. Gentleman, who sustained the part of Guy Goodluck, Esq. who was under the necessity of having his part read off to him by the Prompter.
On Monday the performance was advertised for that evening to be Therese, or the Orphan of Geneva—to be concluded with Pizarro. A large audience being in attendance, Elder Adams made his appearance and stated that in consequence of sickness in the family, they would not perform "Therese" that evening, but that Elder Lyne would favor the audience with the speech of Brutus over the dead body of Lucretia, and also that the "remarkable" farce of John Jones of the War Office—to conclude with Pizarro, would be performed that evening—so we had a change—Pizarro and John Jones and John Jones and Pizarro. At the close of this evening's performance it was stated by Elder Adams that the historical play, Damon and Pythias, and Therese, would be performed on Wednesday, the 1st inst., and dismissed us with God's blessing.
