Prince of Wales Theatre, Melbourne
The Prince of Wales Theatre, with its successor, the Royal Lyceum, was a short-lived performance venue in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Australia.
History[edit]
Melbourne's Prince of Wales Theatre was built on the site of the Tattersall's hotel's stables, which had been converted to the "Hippodrome", a circus arena, but failed to return a profit, and became the "Rat Pit", a place of dog fighting and snake charmers.[1] The new theatre, which opened 24 May 1860, was built to seat 1,500 people and had a removable stage to allow equestrian displays to take place. Scenery was painted by a Mr Barley, who was brought from Sydney for the purpose.[2] True to its provenance, the first entertainments consisted largely of equestrian feats, clowns and tightrope walkers, but also a few promenade concerts and political meetings.
In February 1862 the American impresario Robert G. Marsh took over the lease of the hotel and the theatre, which he reopened on 4 March as the Royal Lyceum.[3] Admission charge was 1s. (one shilling); babes in arms and dogs 1gn. (one guinea = 21s.)[4] and made it a place of family entertainment, opening with the pantomime Aladdin performed by his "Marsh Children" troupe of juveniles,[5] starring Louisa Arnot.[6] They last appeared on 18 October,[7] with none of the usual farewell performances. Marsh was renowned for decamping without notice.[8]
In March 1864 the site was taken over by the Virginian Tobacco Company for a factory, subsequently Garton's livery stables.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Melbourne". The Star (Ballarat). Vol. V, no. 119. Victoria, Australia. 19 May 1860. p. 2. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The Prince of Wales Theatre". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 4, 352. Victoria, Australia. 24 May 1860. p. 5. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". The Age. No. 2, 273. Victoria, Australia. 6 February 1862. p. 1. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". The Age. No. 2, 296. Victoria, Australia. 5 March 1862. p. 1. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "The News of the Day". The Age. No. 2, 296. Victoria, Australia. 5 March 1862. p. 5. Retrieved 28 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Reminiscences of the Past". The Lorgnette. No. 106. Victoria, Australia. 5 January 1893. p. 6. Retrieved 28 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Advertising". The Age. No. 2, 490. Victoria, Australia. 18 October 1862. p. 1. Retrieved 28 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Theatrical Intelligence from Shanghai". The Australasian. Vol. VI, no. 151. Victoria, Australia. 20 February 1869. p. 18. Retrieved 28 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Mr George Weston". The Lorgnette. Vol. XLIX. Victoria, Australia. 25 July 1888. p. 4. Retrieved 28 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.