Globe Theater
Life Span:
Location: Desplaines street, Between Washington and Madison streets
Architect:
- Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1871
Globe Theatre, Redden & Dratt, proprs. Desplaines, bet. Madison and Washington
Chicago Tribune, October 16, 1870
The West Side Theatre.
The work upon Mr. D. R. Allen Theatre on Desplaines street is rapidly approaching completion. It will probably be finished and ready for opening early in the ensuing month. The roof is about done, and the work on the stage is now in active progress. Present appearances indicate that it will be one of the best arranged theatres in the city. Mr. Allen is now busy organizing his company, and expects to open about the 7th with a well-selected dramatic corps. There is every reason to anticipate for the new theatre a successful career.
Chicago Tribune, November 22, 1870
OPENING IF THE GLOBE THEATRE.
The new Globe Theatre was opened last evening. under the most promising auspices, and with a manifestation of enthusiasm on the part of the audience that must have in some measure rewarded Mr. Allen for many anxious days of toll and trouble. The house was overflowing, crowded in every part, and large numbers had to torn away from the door, unable to obtain seats.
The new theatre presents, since its completion, a very handsome, tasteful, and comfortable appearance. The dress circle is supplied with cushioned chairs, in place of sofas, to which they are superior in point of comfort, although it is somewhat of an innovation. The decorations or the auditorium are simple, but in great good taste, and the scenic artist, Mr. James Howard Rogers, has put forth his entire artistic skill in the getting up of the scenes, all of which are real excellence. In the drop curtain Mr. Rogers has boldly departed from the eternal Lake of Como with its dreadfully Italian sky, etc.; and has drawn his inspiration from home. The picture represents the progress of civilization. It is a beautiful Western scene, composed of lake and mountains, a railroad tram—the emblem of advancing civilization—crossing a bridge, and away westward, the Indian, with his bow and arrows, receding before it, and following his own setting sun. At the foot of the curtain appears the inscription “Westward the course of empire its night.”
The general aspect of the auditorium is neat and elegant. It is well warmed, and well lighted, and every seat in the house, from the front of the parquette to the remotest corner of the upper circle, commands a perfect view of the stage. The siege itself is one of the most capacious in the city, and, to judge from the admirable way in which everything moved on me opening night, it is evidently supplied with all the requisite facilities.
It was characteristic of Mr. Allen, and of the indomitable perseverance and enterprise he has manifested in pushing through this enterprise to a successful completion in the face of so many obstacles, that he opened his theatre without the customary flourish of trumpets in the shape of speech-making. The curtain rose at the appointed time, and the play commenced. This showed independence and good taste, and the result soon proved that the new theatre could well afford to stand upon its merits without any preliminary craving of the indulgence of its patrons; for a better stock company than that which Mr. Alien has selected, is not to be seen in any other theatre in the city at present.
Chicago Tribune, October 9, 1872
THE DRAMA
was the first to recover from the effects of the fire.
- The Globe Theatre
Desplaines Avenue, Between Madison and Washington streets
Robinson Fire Insurance Map
1886
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