About March-May, 1892, James M. Hill, who had been managing the Union Square Theatre since September 7, 1885, being in financial difficulties,—which soon caused his failure,—found it expedient to dispose of his interest in that theatre, which he sold to his brother, Richard Hill, who directed it for a short time, beginning June 6, 1892, after which it was hired by A. Y. Pearson and Henry Greenwall. During several months preceding Hill’s failure a lease of the Union Square could have been obtained, and that fact was generally known in the theatrical community. William Harris (1845-1916), desiring to obtain a theatre in New York, and knowing that Charles Frohman cherished a like ambition, proposed to the latter that they should coöperate and lease one. Frohman agreed to this, specifying that the Union Square was available. Harris immediately undertook to confer with the persons then in control of that house, but, casually meeting Mr. Al. Hayman, he mentioned the
Photograph by Sarony. Belasco’s Collection.
MRS. LESLIE CARTER AS MISS HELYETT
project to that person. In a concoction of records, errors, and idle praise which has been put forth as a “Life” of Charles Frohman the following account is printed of the conversation which ensued between them:
“‘That’s foolish,’ said Hayman; ’Everything theatrical is going uptown.’
“‘Well,’ answered Harris, ‘“C. F.” wants a theatre, and I am determined that he shall have it, so I am going over to get the Union Square.’
“‘If you and Frohman want a theatre that badly, I will build one for you,’ he responded.