CHRONOLOGY
CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIFE OF DAVID BELASCO
| HUMPHREY ABRAHAM BELASCO, BORN, LONDON, ENGLAND, DECEMBER 26, 1830. | REINA MARTIN BELASCO, BORN, LONDON, ENGLAND, APRIL 24. 1830. |
1853.
July.
25. David Belasco, eldest child of Humphrey
Abraham, and Reina Martin, Belasco, was
BORN, in a house in Howard Street, near
Third Street, San Francisco, California.
1858. While David Belasco was a little child,—apparently
about 1858,—his parents removed
to Victoria, Island of Vancouver, B. C., taking
him with them.
In the latter part of 185(8?) he was “carried
on,” at the Theatre Royal, Victoria, as
Cora’s Child, in “Pizarro,”—Julia Dean
(Hayne) being the Cora. Later he played
the child in “Metamora,” when Edwin Forrest
filled an engagement in Victoria.
186(2?). About 1862 he appeared with Julia Dean
(Hayne), in “East Lynne,” as Little William.
1864. In the latter part of 1864 he played the
little Duke of York, in “King Richard III.,”
with Charles Kean, at the Theatre Royal,
Victoria.
1865-1871. In 1865 (March-April?) the elder Belasco
removed with his family to San Francisco,
California, and there established his permanent
residence. As a boy, in that city, Belasco
attended several schools, chief among them the
Lincoln Grammar School. During part of
this period the Belasco home was in Louisa
Street, then in Bryant Street, afterward it
was in Clara Street.
1871.
March.
17. At the Metropolitan Theatre, San Francisco,
Belasco appeared as an Indian Chief
in Professor Hager’s “Great Historical Allegory,
‘The Great Republic,’”—which was
several times repeated, for the benefit of the
schools whose pupils participated in the
performance: in the Second Part thereof he
personated War.
April.
15. He appeared, in Hager’s “The Great
Republic,” at Sacramento, California.
June.
2. (Friday Evening.) He took part in a
series of public “competitive declamations”
(reciting “The Maniac”), by pupils of the
Lincoln Grammar School, at Platt’s Hall,
San Francisco. On same occasion he
appeared as Highflyer Nightshade, in “The
Freedom of the Press.”
7. At the Metropolitan Theatre, revival of
Hager’s “The Great Republic,” in which he
again appeared as an Indian Chief, and as
War.
22. He appeared as Fornechet, Minister of Finance,
in a presentment of Sutter’s “Life’s
Revenge,” by the Fire-Fly Social and Dramatic
Club, at Turnverein Hall, Bush Street,
near Powell, San Francisco.
July.
10. Belasco’s First Regular Appearance on
the professional stage,—as a super, with
Joseph Murphy, in “Help,” at the Metropolitan
Theatre. Subsequently he was given a
small part, a few words to speak, in this
play. “Help” was played till July 16, Sunday
night.
19. “Help” revived at Metropolitan Theatre.
22. End of Murphy’s engagement in “Help.”
1872.
July.
22. He played Bloater, in “Maum Cre” (then
first acted in San Francisco), with Joseph
Murphy, at the Metropolitan Theatre.
December.
16. He appeared at the Metropolitan Theatre,
San Francisco, with Minnie Wells (not
Mary Wells), in “The Lion of Nubia” (not
Lioness), as Lieutenant Victor: on this occasion
he was billed as Walter Kingsley.
1873.
February.
23. He played Peter Bowbells in “The Illustrious
Stranger,” in a Benefit Performance,
for Marion Mordaunt, at the Metropolitan
Theatre.
March.
5. “Grand Reopening of the Metropolitan
Theatre,” under direction of John R.
Woodard: cheap prices: The Chapman
Sisters, in H. J. Byron’s “Little Don
Giovanni.” Belasco played the First Policeman.
18. He played Prince Saucilita (giving burlesque
of a local character known as
“Emperor” Norton), in “The Gold Demon,”
with the Chapman Sisters, at the Metropolitan
Theatre.
21. He played Strale, in “Checkmate,” with the
Chapmans, at the Metropolitan.
April.
2. (One night only.) He played Reuben, in
“Schermerhorn’s Boy,” and Strale, in
“Checkmate,” with the Chapmans,
at the Academy of Music, Oakland, California.
3. At the Metropolitan, San Francisco, he
appeared, with the Chapmans, as the Genius
of the Ring, in “The Wonderful Scamp; or,
Aladdin No. 2,” and as Peter True, in “The
Statue Lover.”
9. He played the First Fury, in “Pluto,” with
the Chapmans, at the Metropolitan.
18. Revival of “Little Don Giovanni” at the
Photograph by Harris & Ewing. Belasco’s Collection.