No Understudies, No Show

Sometimes the show mustn’t go on, as was the case at the Lyric in January 1904 Baltimore.

The production of The Ninety and Nine had been taking place there and enjoyed by large audiences. But it seems that a cold that swept through the cast halted further performances.

“There are about 30 in the cast, and as no provision was made for understudies, Mr. O.J. Ashman, the owner of the production, considers he is too handicapped to continue,” reported The Baltimore Sun. “Among the members of the company having severe colds are Mr. Frederick Heartley and Miss Marion Ballou, who enact important characters in the play. Following the enforced rest, the company will endeavor to open in Harrisburg, Pa., next Monday.”

Source: The Baltimore Sun, January 7, 1904