Hollis Street Theatre

Tremont & Hollis St.s / Boston, MS

                                        

In 1885 John R. Hall built the 1,600-seat Hollis Street Theatre on the site of the former Hollis Street Church.

On opening night,

"The new theatre was crowded to-night by an audience which came from among the best people in Boston. The street was crowded with people in the afternoon,

and it was almost impossible to get near the doors at the time they were opened. People holding tickets met with great difficulty in getting in, so that the audience was not entirely seated until some time after the curtain should have risen.

(box seats and lobby)

As soon as they did get in, however, they found a roomy, gorgeous interior fitted up with every attention to comfort and decorated brightly in gold, blue, and white.
Most of the tickets had been sold in advance by auction, and it has been impossible for several days to secure places for the opening performance....
The Mikado... made an immense hit to-night."

(Hollis Street Theatre next to Ye Wilber Hotel)

The many shows presented at the theatre featured a number of notables, including Maurice Barrymore, Sarah Bernhardt, William Gillette, Henry Irving, and Ellen Terry.
Others associated with the theatre included Isaac B. Rich; Edward E. Rice; Charles Frohmann.

The building was demolished in 1935.

     

(Shortly before being demolished.)