Wallack, the proprietor, John
Brougham, Charles Mathews, John Gilbert, Charles Fisher, and J. H.
Stoddart, and Mrs. Jennings, Miss Plessy Mordaunt, Miss Effie Germon, and
Mrs. John Sefton. Mr. Wallack is very proud of his theatre, and with
good reason. He has made it the best in the country, and a model for the
best establishments in other cities. The greatest care is taken in the
production of plays, and every detail is presented to the audience with a
degree of perfection which other managers vainly strive to attain. The
scenery is exquisite and natural, the dresses are perfect--the toilettes
of the ladies being famed for their elegance, and the acting is true to
nature. There is no ranting, no straining for effect here. The members
of the company talk and act like men and women of the world, and
faithfully "hold the mirror up to nature." It is a common saying in New
York that even a mean play will be a success at Wallack's. It will be so
well put on the stage, and so perfectly performed by the company, that
the most critical audience will be disarmed.

The Fifth Avenue Theatre, on Twenty-fourth street, in the rear of the
Fifth Avenue Hotel, is next to Wallack's in popular favor. It is very
much such an establishment in the character and excellence of its
performances. It possesses a first-class company of ladies and
gentlemen, some of whom have achieved national reputations, and all of
whom are worthy of the highest praise. The theatre itself is a handsome
marble edifice, not very large, but of very attractive appearance. The
interior is bright and cheerful. The ceiling is finely frescoed, the
walls are panelled with large plate-glass mirrors, and the general effect
is very brilliant. The building was owned by the late Col. James Fisk,
Jr. The manager is Mr. Augustin Daly, a well-known writer of successful
plays. To his literary gifts Mr. Daly adds a high order of managerial
talent, and it is to his efforts exclusively that the very marked success
of the theatre is due.

The Academy of Music is, as its name indicates, the Opera House of New
York. It is a gloomy-looking structure without, but possesses a
magnificent auditorium, fitted up in the style of the European Opera
Houses. Its decorations are in crimson and gold, and are magnificent and
tasteful. It is the largest theatre in the city, and one of the largest
in the world. It is opened occasionally during the winter for operatic
performances.