WREXHAM THEATRICAL REMINISCENCES. INTERVIEW WITH MRS RICHARDS.
Very Shortly the Bangor Christy Minstrels (of whom report speaks in high terms), assisted by local artistes and professional talent, will give an entertainment in the Public Hall, for the benefit of Mrs F. C. Richards. This lady, who is more widely known as Mrs Marie Hannan, has in her day given many benefits for deserting objects, and we hope the public will not forget to attend the entertainment or liberally to purchase tickets. It may be news to many readers, but it is nevertheless true, that Wrexham once possessed a theatre, built for the express purpose of play-acting, designed in the familiar horseshoe shape, with pit, boxes, and gallery all complete. It stood where Mr J. E. Powell's implement warehouse now is. This ware- house succeeded a temperance hall, and the temperance hall took the place of the Old Theatre, probably about 1872. Mrs Richards, to use the more familiar name Mrs Hannan, has a very interesting story to tell. Her connection with Wales has been of considerable length, for it was on Easter Saturday, thirty-two years ago, that she came from the Princess' Theatre, Sadler's Wells, to Wrexham, being starred to play in •' The Lancashire Lass." Her first view of the theatre was one of dismay, for the stage was covered with damp saw- dust. As she went to her dressing-room she saw an old woman bearing an open umbrella. The actress asked who she was, and what she wanted with the umbrella. The old woman (whose name was Aston) explained she was the cleaner, and that she had been ordered to follow the leading lady about with the open umbrella, because the roof was so bad that the rain came in freely. Mrs Richard's first view of the house was very amusing, for the people in the pit and gallery sat with collars turned up and umbrellas open. The staging of the play was as crude as the state of the roof. A police-officer is one of the characters, and Inspector Lamb (a terror to evildoers in those days) had kindly lent a suit of uniform. Now Lamb was well favoured, and the actor was lean. Making up was necessary, and it was done with cushions. When the prisoner (in the play) learned of the arrival of a telegram which was to give him freedom, he sprang towards the bearer, and in doing so dragged the inspector with him. He upset the " Post office," and the inkbottle poured its contents over his face and Lamb's uniform. It is said the audience thought it part of the fun, but Lamb lamented. Mrs Richards was very successful l remained in Wrexham for about nine weeks. The lessee of the theatre was Mr Aston, who came from Birkenhead. There seems to have been a theatrical connection between Wrexham and Aberystwyth, for at this sea- side resort Mrs Richards attained a great and permanent popularity. After Mr Aston left Wrexham, the theatre passed into the hands of Mr Hannan, who had married the subject of this article. Mr Hannan was a man of good family, and his father was the owner of some large saw mills in London. His family name was Phillips, and he was educated for the Bar at Furnival'a Inn. The stage attracted him and he appeared at Drury Lane. His father objected and threatened to cut him off with the proverbial shilling. The youth was dejected, but met his cousin James, afterwards Sir James Hannan, of the Divorce Court, who told him to use his. Mr Phillips became Mr Hannan and was successful in heavy parts as " lago," and especially in " The Heir at Law and " Caste." He was a particular friend of Mr Charles Matthews, who was born at Coed Talon, near Mold, a fact which not many people know, perhaps. Mr Hannan took the Wrexham Theatre and it’s auxiliary at Aberystwyth. He did good work on the stage, and but for his death (about 1870) the Wrexham Theatre would have been a flourishing institution to this day. Mrs Richards was particularly strong in " Leah," and her first appearance in this great part was under- taken at very short notice owing to tbe actress cast for the part," falling ill. Gifted with a fine musical voice, Mrs Richards certainly made the most of this task, and always won the hearty applause of her audiences. Another part which she impersonated with great skill was that of Pauline in “Tbe Lady of Lyons," and was once playing it in Wrexham to the " Claude Melnotte " of Morgan Smith, a man of colour. This curious conjunction of colour attracted the attention of the original Pauline (the late Lady Martin), who very kindly attended at the theatre, and afterwards wrote Mrs Richards a most kind letter of congratulation and praise. Mrs Richards has played with Buckstone, Compton, J. L. Toole, Madame Beatrice, Miss Neilson, and Mr and Mrs Charles Keene. She came from London to Wale, upon the suggestion of her brother-in-law, Mr Watts Phillips, the writer, chiefly to recruit her health. She liked the place and people and has remained since. In addition to being an actress of power and ability, Mrs Richards arranged a play. " Jo," from " Bleak House," which was given in 1877 in aid of Mr. White's Orphan Home.
