Three Incarnations of the Garrick Theatre
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Sixth and B Streets, San Diego
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 Garrick Theatre |
 Empress Theatre ~ c. 1911 |
 Strand Theatre ~ c. 1920 |
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The reviewer of the opening performance gave little space to the production, but spoke glowingly of the house. He had nothing but praise for its handsome interior, the subdued colors, and comfortable opera chairs. His most glowing terms were reserved for two elements that were, in his opinion, great improvements over its predecessors: the fine acoustics and exceptionally good sight lines.
The new Garrick immediately became the choice of big touring shows. Before October ended, DeLacour presented George M. Cohan's "Little Johnny Jones" (company of 70 but no Cohan); the Milan Opera Company with "Rigoletto," "La Boheme," "Faust" and "Il Trovatore"; and the return of Johanna Gadski.
For four years the Garrick thrived as the home of opera, legitimate, and musical comedy companies. Its decline began with the building of the Savoy. In 1911, the name was changed to the Empress, but the decline in the-quality of its productions continued. In time, the name was again changed to The Strand. Finally, manager Charles Delacour surrendered to the inevitable, and the pretty little theatre became a second-class movie house.
[excerpt in part from a Thesis Presented to the Faculty of San Diego State College by Morgan Jackson Lane, June 1969, entitled "Commercial Theatre in San Diego with Special Emphasis 1892-1917"; and commentary by Welton Jones, from the San Diego Union-Tribune]
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