526 Bush St. | map |
1470 Washington St. | map |
André Ferrier, later the head of the Théâtre Français movement in San Francisco, got a column on page 60 of the December 17, 1911 issue of the Examiner. They acclaimed him "an actor of high merit" and noted that he had studied with Sarah Bernhardt, who was a friend of his mother. Ferrier was performing with Pierre Grazi's French Grand Opera Company in a season at the Valencia and Cort theatres.
The young Mr. Ferrier, as seen in a photo from the 1911 Examiner article. Thanks to Jack Tillmany for locating it.
Jeanne Gustin, "the beauty of the company." The Examiner article was partially an announcement that Ferrier was to marry Mlle. Gustin after their return to Paris at the end of the season. A 1949 Examiner article added that the opera company went belly up and stranded them in San Francisco.
An article on the "Music and Musicians" page in the August 4, 1912 Examiner noted that Ferrier and his wife had made San Francisco their permanent home and were "establishing a school of musical and dramatic art, and in connection with the school will maintain the 'Theatre Francais de San Francisco,' presenting advanced and especially talented pupils in public performances each month." A performance was scheduled at the Scottish Rite Auditorium.
Their theatre became the only permanent French theatre in the United States.
A card from the Glenn Koch collection advertising a 1913 production by the Théâtre Français at the St. Francis Hotel. Thanks to Glenn for sharing the item from his collection for a post on the BAHT Facebook page.
A card advertising a 1914 production at the St. Francis. It's from the Glenn Koch collection.
Note the "Grand Theatre Guignol" advertised at the 1050 Clay St. address. Ferrier's studio was on the north side of the street between Powell and Mason.
A souvenir postcard for a May 1914 production of "Gonzague." It's from the Glenn Koch collection.
The rear of the May 1914 card. Many thanks to Glenn Koch for sharing these cards from his collection.
The Théâtre Français found a home at 526 Bush St. at least by 1918. This location was on the north side of the street between Stockton and Grant.
An article about a show at the theatre's new Bush St. location appearing on page 11 of the April 9, 1918 Examiner.
A photo of the visiting Mrs. Clark from the April 9, 1918 Examiner. Thanks to Jack Tillmany for finding the Examiner items.
A 1925 calendar for the theatre with a photo of their new home at 1470 Washington St. Thanks to Glenn Koch for sharing the item from his collection on a BAHT Facebook page post. A 1949 Examiner article noted that the Ferriers had moved into this building in 1920.
Seating: 130
A postcard celebrating the leader of the company, André Ferrier, in "Scapin." The card is in the collection of Glenn Koch. The Washington St. location was on the north side of the street between Leavenworth and Hyde. The building that once was the theatre has been demolished.
An article about the Ferriers located by Jack Tillmany that appeared on page 21 of the November 7, 1949 Examiner.
A photo of a painting of the Washington St. theatre that appeared with "Art 'Bohemians' Who Wore Business Suits," an article about an exhibit of San Francisco painters that appeared on page 21 of the June 21, 1968 Examiner. Thanks to Jack Tillmany for locating it.
The company was listed a variety of ways up until 1950. A list of San Francisco Theaters, Cinemas, Dancehalls after 1906 offered this for the 1470 Washington St. address:
Theatre Francaise La Gaiete 1921-1931, French Theatre 1923-1924, La Gaiete Francaise 1924-1925, 1929, Theatre Francaise 1928, Ferrier's Theatre of Art 1929, Ferrier Andre Theatre of Art 1932, Ferrier's Theatre Francais d'Art 1933, Ferrier Andre Art Theatre 1933-1936, Ferrier's French Theatre of Art 1937-1938, Ferrier Art Theatre 1937-1938, Ferrier Andre Art Theatre 1939-1943, Ferrier Andre French Theatre 1943-1951, Theatre Francais 1947, Theatre Ferrier 1950.
"New Name Given to Little Theatre," a page 161 item in the October 7, 1951 Examiner, noted that the theatre was then being called The Crossroads, a space for folk music, folk dancing, and folk art. It was being operated by Grace West and Richard Lindauer, known as "The Balladmongers."
In 1965 the building became the Orb Theatre, a venture headed by Don Mills and Ted Saladin. The new legit operation was discussed in "Ambitious plans for Orb Theater," an article on page 41 of the April 1, 1965 Examiner. The first production was a new play called "The Price of Apples," opening the night of the article.
Another article about Orb appeared on page 102 of the May 30, 1965 Examiner. At the time, they were on their second production, Shaw's "The Dark Lady of the Sonnets" playing along with "The Bald Soprano" and "The Lesson," two Ionesco one acts.
Closing date: unknown
Status: The Washington St. building has been demolished. There's now a little park on the site.
More information: Jack Tillmany's Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres of San Francisco" can be previewed on Google Books. It's available from Amazon or your local bookseller.
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