FRANCIS FRANK CHANFRAU (1824-1884) American actor and theater manager. Printed Broadside for Chanfrau's New National Theatre [Formerly Chatham]. 6" x 21 3/4". New York. August 17, 1848. Nice image of an eagle with olive branch and American Flag shield at top. This evening's performance features JOHN R. SCOTT as Michael in the "Adopted Child." JOHN R. SCOTT (1808-1856) American actor who was among the favorite performers in the Old Bowery performing the title role in Shakespeare's Macbeth.
In 1848, Frank Chanfrau assumed management of the struggling Chatham Theater, renaming the venue Chanfrau's New National Theatre. Though the theater only operated under Chanfrau's management for two years, it proved to be a highly successful time in the theater's history. Prominently featured throughout this time was Chanfrau's character of Mose, a caricature of the working-class masses of Lower Manhattan that had originally appeared to rave reviews in New York. In addition to this popular character, the theater also drew large crowds because Chanfrau allowed working-class patrons to sit anywhere in the playhouse, a break from the custom of seating these patrons only in the pit. This open seating policy and the popularity of the Mose character led to frequent sell-out performances, and, in one instance, and over-sale that required the city police's presence to remove a crowd of theatergoers that had rushed the New National Theatre's stage! Very Fine.
