It was during the performance of "Betsy Baker" in this place that "Jimmy" Thompson, who was playing the part of Mr. Crommie, won such distinction in that character that the name of "Crommie" has attached to him among his acquaintances ever since. Harry McEwan, Joe Barker, Billie Wright, Bill Poulter and dear old John Kelly and Mrs. Bull and Mrs. McEwan all achieved some celebrity in connection with the little playhouse—"Bowring's Theatre."
Manager Margetts waited one day on President Brigham Young and invited him, with his family, to see their play. The President of course had heard of the new theatre, (what was there he didn't hear of?) but affected some surprise that Phil and his associates should have started what might be considered a rival to the D. D. A.
"When do you play?" inquired the President.
"We have a play tonight," answered Phil; "'Luke the Laborer,' but we could not accommodate your family tonight, President Young, as the seats are mostly engaged, but we would be pleased to reserve the house for yourself and family for our next play, 'The Honeymoon,' which will be on Friday night."
"Well," says Brigham, "I would like to see the play tonight. Why can't Heber (meaning Heber C. Kimball, his chief counsellor, who was sitting within hearing) and I come tonight, and the family can come the next night?"
The President thought to catch them in a state of unpreparedness by going sooner than was arranged for him, but Phil readily acquiesced in the President's wish, and he and Brother Kimball "took in the show" that night. They both expressed their pleasure and spoke words of encouragement to the performers.
On the following day Manager Margetts sent ninety tickets, the entire seating capacity of the theatre, to President Young for himself and family. The tiny theatre was packed to see "The Honeymoon." The Young family certainly was in evidence on that occasion, but there was quite a sprinkling of "Heber's" folks and other friends to whom the President had given tickets from his wholesale reserve.
"The Honeymoon" was a pronounced success. After the play Phil appeared before the curtain and in a happy way thanked the President and those of his family and friends present for honoring the company, and expressed regret that they had not a more commodious and comfortable theatre in which to entertain their friends.
Brigham, evidently pleased, made a return speech from his place in the audience and complimented the company. He encouraged them to go ahead and told them he intended before long to build a good big theatre, where they could have ample room to develop their dramatic art, observing in his characteristic way, that the people must have amusement.
It will thus be seen that these performances led indirectly to the building of the Salt Lake Theatre, for immediately after this the President instructed Hyrum Clawson to reorganize the Deseret Dramatic Association and to unite it with the Bowring Theatre Company, for he was going to build a big theatre. The idea had evidently entered his mind to stay.