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Denman Thompson (1833-1911) Author of the Old Homestead, which EJP, Neppie and Neppie's aunt went to see in the winter of 1890. Thompson had joined John Nickinson's Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in Toronto in 1854. He played Uncle Tom in a production of Uncle Tom's Cabin with John Nickinson's at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Toronto in Feb. 1857. Charlotte Nickinson played Eliza. Topsey was played by Virginia Nickinson. Owen Marlowe, who married Virginia Nickinson in 1857 played Shelby. Miss Phillips played Cassy. Mary Shortt, family playbill collection
Denman Thompson
Life of Denman Thompson
In May, 1854, he was engaged by the veteran John Nickinson as a member of the
stock company of the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Toronto, playing small Irish and
negro character parts and dancing hornpipes. Highland flings and Irish reels
between the pieces. These variety tid-bits of dancing and singing between the
plays of the evening were very popular at this date, and the actor who was able
to satisfy the taste of the time with even moderate success had an advantage
with the public, which pleased the managerial heart and helped the player.
Thompson became a great favorite with the old
managers and local theatre-goers in Toronto, and with the exception of one
whole theatrical season, which was spent professionally in Chicago and New York
State, and a few months abroad, he continued to make the Canadian city his home
until 1868. It was here he married and where his three children, now living,
were born. …He was always borrowing articles of stage dress, and it was a
frequent remark that Thompson never owned a pair of “sand shoes” then required
for fancy dancing, then popular between the pieces … The Manager, John
Nickinson, was continually rebuking him for this personal neglect, but never
changed him from the habit, and had many a hearty laugh over the blundering
success of the popular player.
Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto, Vol 1 1894
reports that Thompson became a member of the Lyceum company in 1854 and
"was cast for minor parts and used to dance a hornpipe between the acts.
The one thing he was particularly distinguished for was an obstinate insistence
on having his own way. Once he was given a part which he refused to play.
Mr. Nickinson said either he should play it or leave the theatre.
"Colonel" -- they all called him Colonel-- "I can't play it and
I shan't leave your theatre either" replied Thompson. Before
Nickinson had recovered from this audacious speech, the afterward famous Uncle
Josh followed it with another. "Say Colonel, I want you to lend me five
dollars." "What do you want five dollars for?" asked Mr.
Nickinson. "I want to get married." "Where's your bride? Let me
see her." Thompson went away and presently returned with a blushing girl.
Mr. Nickinson gave him the money and so the comedian embarked on the sea of
matrimony with a capital of five dollars.
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924027099542/cu31924027099542_djvu.txt
Old Homestead by Denman
Thompson, was first produced in January 1887 and ran for 160 performances
at the Academy of Music from Aug 30, 1888 - May
1891. "'Certainly the most famous of all rural plays', [Odell]
it grew out of a vaudeville sketch. Thompson also played the role of the
New Hampshire farmer whose son had gone to New York and not been heard from for
nearly a year. Old schoolmate Henry Hopkins (now a New York millionaire)
helped him discover the now derelict son and rehabilitate him. Oxford
Companion to American Theatre
Virginia Nickinson Marlowe was in the original
cast as Mrs. Murdoch and her daughter Virginia as Miss Annie Hopkins.
Presumably Hattie and EJ Phillips saw both of them when they went to that
play.
Church scene from the Old Homestead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziREbdguQnA
Denman Thompson and the Old
Homestead
http://www.oldhomesteadswanzey.com/home.htm/ http://www.wellswooster.com/tommies/denman/
An April 15 1900 letter from EJ Phillips to
Albert mentioned Virginia Nickinson Peters "
you are to have a play at the Casino [Theater] on Tuesday next in which Mrs.
Charles Peters played in here [Philadelphia] at the Park a few weeks
ago. Was born 1834. Guess she is with it still for the play belongs to Denman
Thompson who was a member of your father's company for several years and
he still is grateful for the kindnesses he received then from the
"Governor" and has frequently given employment to members of the
family who requested it -- since he has been a star-manager"
The Town of Swanzey NH produced The Old
Homestead each July. I went to what was
supposed to be the final performance in 2016, but it seems to have been
revived in 2017. The scenery is from the original Broadway production,
including Grace Church. However the oxen no longer
appear.
https://www.oldhomesteadswanzey.com/oxen.htm
https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/the-old-homestead-to-end-a-more-than--year/article_b25fdde5-33bc-51e7-8e49-7947f70745dd.html
https://www.oldhomesteadswanzey.com/home.htm
Swanzey NH 2016
NY Times Denman Thompson Obituary April 15 1911
https://www.nytimes.com/1911/04/15/archives/denman-thompson-the-actor-dead-joshua-whitcomb-of-the-old-homestead.html
Eliza Nickinson Peters (b.1834),
married English comedian Charles Peters (1825-1870)
in the fall of 1854. A
1905 article in Donohoe's magazine interviewed Mrs. Peters and said she had
become a Catholic under the instruction of Jesuit Father Damen, while living in
Yorkville New York. She went back to acting after the death of her husband and
played a new England widow and Irishwoman in the 1870s and played similar roles
in Boucicault's Shaughraun,
various roles in the Irish village at the St, Louis World's Fair and the part of
the Widow McNally in the Sunshine of Paradise Alley
was written for her. [We have a letter from her on Sunshine of Paradise Alley
stationery.] this article says her mother Mary Ann Talbot was born in
Limerick. The article says only 3 children were still living.
http://books.google.com/books?id=qgjZAAAAMAAJ&vq=nickinson&dq=eliza+nickinson+peters&source=gbs_navlinks_s
NY Times opening Sunshine of Paradise Alley May 10 1896 by Denman Thompson and George Ryer and included an "electrical snowstorm" Mrs. Peters toured in it into the early 20th century. But I haven't been able to find when she died.
We have a mysterious April 12 1900 letter on Sunshine of Paradise Alley letterhead, which had been attached to one from Mrs. Peters to OS Hathaway, Middletown Theatre manager, reading "Mrs. Peters who plays the widow (her creation) has asked me as a special favor, she has a brother there [where?], Nickinson, and I believe they don't speak as they pass by. This is her way of showing him that she is still on earth." An April 15 1900 letter from EJ Phillips mentioning her "Saw by [Middletown newspaper] Mercury that you are to have a play at the Casino [Theater] on Tuesday next in which Mrs. Charles Peters played in here [Philadelphia] at the Park a few weeks ago. Was born 1834. Guess she is with it still for the play belongs to Denman Thompson who was a member of your father's company for several years and he still is grateful for the kindnesses he received then from the "Governor" and has frequently given employment to members of the family who requested it -- since he has been a star-manager. ... Strange how things come about. I have not seen Mrs. Peters since she was married and that was in 1854, I think, and became a widow not later than 1866 & now you will see her after so many years. She has a son Fred and a daughter, Maud, living, that is all I know of. Both were on the stage.
Mrs. Charles Peters played the Widow McNally in the Sunshine of Paradise Alley. Opened May 11, 1896, at Haverly’s 14th Street Theatre https://www.ibdb.com/Production/View/405216 The History of the New York Stage says the theatre closed June 13, 1896.
Dec
29, 1897 Evening Times Washington DC Sunshine of Paradise Alley at the Academy
next week, with Mrs. Charles Peters as the Widow McNally.
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024441/1897-12-29/ed-1/seq-4.pdf
Indianapolis News 3 March 1901 https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=INN19010306-01.1.12
Mrs. Charles Peters, who created the part
of the old market woman, the Widow McNally, In Denman Thompson’s “The Sunshine
of Paradise Alley,” will be seen In her original role at the Park Theater
tomorrow. Mrs. Peters’ impersonation has the same excellences as the Uncle Josh
of Mr. Thompson, the Rip of Mr. Jefferson and the Uncle Nat of Mr. Heme? Mrs.
Peters was trained in the same company with Denman Thompson many years ago. She
is a sister of Mrs. Charles Walcot, of the Frohman's Lyceum Theater Company.
Indianapolis News 2 March 1901 https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=INN19010302-01.1.10
'THE pleasant thing about Denman A Thompson and George W. Ryer’s "Sunshine of
Paradise Alley,” which comes to the Park next Thursday, Friday and Saturday is
the good nature of all the characters. The play begins with a representation of
New York dock life in summer, and introduces persons known nearly everywhere
because they have been figures for the descriptive writers on the dally papers
of New York. The wharf rat, the poor drunkard, the tough boy, the kind-hearted
Irishman, the drunken husband, the neglected children, the New York policeman
and the providentially good girl, who converts wickedness into goodness, come to
view. The Incidents move the sympathies and keep the Interest sustained
throughout. All the old favorites of the cast. Mrs. Charles Peters. Phlla May,
Helen Gurney, Grace Kimball. John Walsh, W. J. Sully, John 'J. Flynn, George P.
Annand, Albert Brown and the Verdi ladles’ quartet will be seen In the parts
they played when this comedy-drama was produced at English’s two seasons ago.
Cambridge Chronicle, MA 17 Jan 1903 at Keith’s Theatre Mrs. Chas. Peters who
created the role … The play is cleverly conceived, has much witty dialogue, and
numerous amusing situations. and in the hands of such competent actors, cannot
help being a pronounced success.
http://cambridge.dlconsulting.com/cgi-bin/cambridge?a=d&d=Chronicle19030117-01.2.166
Cambridge Tribune Jan 27, 1903 mentioned Mrs. Charles Peters appearing in Augustus Thomas’ The Man Upstairs” comedietta at Keith’s Theatre http://cambridge.dlconsulting.com/cgi-bin/cambridge?a=d&d=Tribune19030117-01.2.57
YouTube Sunshine of Paradise Alley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6TkQqChqEc
The Sunshine of Paradise Alley http://parlorsongs.com/issues/2005-5/thismonth/feature.php
Music by John W. Bratton Words by Walter H. Ford Published 1895 by M. Whitmark &
Sons
[Verse 1] There's a little side street such as often you meet,
Where the boys of a Sunday night rally,
Tho' it's not very wide, and it's dismal beside,
Yet they call the place Paradise Alley.
But a maiden so sweet, lives in that little street,
She's the daughter of widow McNally,
She has bright golden hair, and the boys all declare,
[Chorus]
She's the sunshine of Paradise Alley.
Ev'ry Sunday down to her home we go,
All the boys and all the girls they love her so,
Always jolly, heart that is true I know,
She is the Sunshine of Paradise Alley.
[Verse 2] When O'Brien's little lad had the fever so bad,
That no one would dare to go near him,
Then this dear girl so brave, said,
"I think I can save, or at least I can comfort and cheer him,
Soon the youngster got well,
and the neighbors all tell
How the daughter of widow McNally,
Risked her life for a boy, and they hail her with joy,
As the sunshine of Paradise Alley.
[Chorus]
[Verse 3] She's had offers to wed by the dozen, 'tis said,
Still she always refused them politely,
But of late she's been seen with young Tommy Killeen,
Going out for a promenade nightly,
We can all guess the rest, for the boy she loves best,
Will soon change her name from McNally,
Though he may change her name, she'll be known just the same,
As the sunshine of Paradise Alley.
[Chorus]
Sunshine of Paradise Alley, Sheet music cover Compose John W
Bratton, Lyricist Walter H Ford, 1895 http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47de-1652-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99#/?uuid=683d7261-fecf-b26f-e040-e00a18065c80 This
song also seems to have been part of Charles Hoyt’s Trip to
Chinatown
Paradise Alley itself ran between the double tenement of Gotham Court also known
as “Sweeney’s Shambles,” apparently one of the worst tenements in New York
history (it was just off Cherry Street which runs parallel to the waterfront
between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges). “The Sunshine of Paradise Alley”
was originally an 1886 Broadway play by Denman Thompson, as well as a
popular vaudeville song.
In the film, made 40 years later, a wealthy banker wants to tear down the
tenements to build a factory but “Sunshine” O’Day, played by [Barbara] Bedford,
uses her charms to persuade him to change his mind. https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/movie-poster-of-the-week-sunshine-of-paradise-alley
Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh
In The
Iceman Cometh, O'Neill drew from
his past in the low-grade saloons where he spent several years of his young
manhood. At Harry Hope's saloon, the inhabitants feed on their dreams of a
promise of tomorrow that will never be fulfilled. Yearly, on Hope's birthday,
Hickey, a traveling salesman, comes to liven their doldrums with whiskey and
good humor. This year, it is different, for Hickey sets out to cause each of the
inhabitants of the bar to face the fact that his dream is a lie and that
tomorrow will never come. The results are disastrous. … At
the end, when Hickey's presence no longer threatens them, and as the booze
regains some of the kick Hickey's reforms have taken from it, a flow of life
stirs the "Bottom-of-the-Sea Rathskeller," and each of the bums be-gins his own
song. In the staging, by no means should the cast be allowed to sing the same
song so that they sound like a well-drilled college glee club. O'Neill's point
is that the ability to sing again has restored the individual dream to each of
the dreamers. That each has a personal song marks the reassertion of life after
Hickey's at-tempt to render the bums empty and lifeless. Their singing is a
wonderful theatrical moment, a cacophonous, drunken "Ode to Joy." Harry
begins by singing "The Sunshine of Paradise Alley," and at once the others come
alive. http://www.eoneill.com/library/songbook/iceman.htm
An
Avenue A artists enclave called Paradise Alley
https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/an-avenue-a-artists-enclave-called-paradise-alley/ This
little East Village enclave consisted of several small tenement buildings
sharing a courtyard on the hard-luck corner of Avenue A and East 11th Street. Or
maybe Paradise Alley was a truly heavenly place to live and work, especially for
the painters and writers who made it an unofficial arts colony through the
1960s. … Built in the 1860s, the walk-up buildings here were home to the waves
of German, Irish, and then Italian immigrants who settled in a neighborhood
known by turns as Mackerelville, Kleindeutschland,
and the northern end of the Lower East Side.
Bibliography
Denman Thompson,
Thompson Family Researchers, Thompson Tidbits
http://www.wellswooster.com/tommies/denman/
Life of Denman Thompson
1888 mentions John Nickinson http://books.google.com/books?id=QI0VAAAAYAAJ&dq=Henry+Denman+Thompson&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Thompson Denman, Old Homestead typescript Houghton Library, Harvard Theatre
Collection TS 4478/152
Broadway photographshttps://www.broadway.cas.sc.edu/content/denman-thompson Old Homestead photo,
brief biographyy and Philadelphia obituary citation
Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denman_Thompson
Last revised March 12, 2022
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