THE LATE PRINCESS’S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3887, 9 August 1875, Page 2

THE LATE PRINCESS’S THEATRE.

At about two o’clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 3rd of August, the Princess's Theatre was burned to the ground, after an existence of thirteen years. During that lengthy period—lengthy considering the inflammable nature of the structure’s material—so many gifted actors and actresses have from its stage delighted and amused Dunedin audiences that it is thought a hurried sketch of the history of the Princess’s may be found interesting. Our limited space will not allow of a very discursive article, but we think the mere mention of the names of someof our old favorites will revive pleasant associations in the minds of many of our readers. Dunedin has, of course, been visitedin its time by many artists of all degrees of talent—from such as before or since gained world-wide renown, down to some who, though their advent was heralded with mighty flourishes and elaborately written puffs, turned out to be the veriest impostors that ever faced footlights. But Dvmodia audiences themselves are not to be held blameless, for they have (was it-out of revenge ?) more than once sat cold and unresponsive to the display of real genius and undoubted merit; while they have thrown their money at, and crowded the Princess’s nightly, eagerly to see performances of a most commonplace order, and performers who were nothing but stars of a very small magnitude. In the year 1862 the well-known Shadrach E, R. Jones was lessee of the Provincial Hotel, and being a cute man and of enterprising spirit (as his subsequent actions proved), he noticed the lack of places of amusement in Dunedin — which had shortly before been woke up from its sleepy state of old identityism by the discovery of gold and the consequent inrush of scores of thousands of diggers—and rightly decided that a theatre was the very thing wanted. He accordingly erected, or rather fixed up, the original Princess’s Theatre, the “ dress circle ” of which stood where the sale yards now are, and at the Stafford street end of the building. The hotel stab’.os stood there at the time ; in fact the audience had stables on each side of them, canvas screens concealing the horses from view daring a performance. They were not out of* hearing, however, and many of our readers will remember the hearty laughter caused by an occasional neigh in the midst of a frenzied piece of declamation by some rampant tragedian. However, implements soon became necessary, for on July 12,1862, the Theatre Royal was opened, adjoining the Criterion Hotel, and in consequence Shadrach re-arranged the Princess’s, enlarging and making a comfortable theatre of it. So it remained, with now and then minor improvements and additions, until its destruction. And now we turn to the enumeration of the many faces which have caused the old building to be crammed with enthusiastic or depreciatory audiences, and its corrugated iron walls to ring with uproarious merriment.

Mr Thomas Fawcett was the first theatrical manager in I ‘unedin, and his opening company at the Princess’s would appear to nave been rather weak, for, although his advertisements appear in the newspapers of the day, no notice of the entertainment was given. The first performance that we can discover to have been given was on Monday, June 30, 1862, and it was thus announced in the 4 Colonist ’ of the same morning : “ Royal Princess Theatre. Immense Success. Great Attractions Daily. New Drama—“ The Seven Clerks.” Clark Arnaud, Mr T. Fawcott, Followed by the celebrated 4 Bob Eidley Breakdown,’ Screaming Farce!” Mr Fawcett did not give the names of his assistants and subordinates, so we cannot say who took the various characters in these pieces. On July 10, an attraction was added in the shape of 44 The Great Mr Griffiths in his Herculean Feats. Breaks and bends Bars of Iron!” [On the 12th of the same month the rival house—the Rpyal—was opened under the management of Mr James Leßoy, who had engaged those popular artists Mr and Mrs Clarence Holt. The 44 Lady of Lyons” was the first piece played, Clarence Holt taking the part of Claude Melnotte, and Madame Marie Duret that of Pauline. The rest of the company were Messrs W. Evan, R. B. Dale, Shiels, O’Brien, Carey, Hall, How, and Ford; Miss Cassey Matthews and Miss Mortimer; Mr J. M. Wolfe, stage manager.] On August 11 the Princess’s was announced to be opened—44new and elegant”—under the lesseeship of Messrs T. and S. Fawcett. Mr 0. Young was their trump card, and for the first night 44 The Friend in Need ” and 44 The Young Widow” were the pieces chosen. The remainder of the dramatic company were Misses Ada Hart, Tabwrney, Hill, and Grant: Mrs Joe Cowney; Messrs Joe Downey, John Dunn, j an., Perkins, and Hiiygarth. The enteitainment was varied by the performances of Mr K. W. Kohler, the 44 hero of 100 instruments” —amongst these being the 44 rook harmonicon.” On September 22 the lessees introduced Madame Caraudim, Mr and Mrs Whyte, Mr Sherwin, and Joe Small to a Dunedin audience ; and on October 13 these mus clans were replaced by Mr J. Hall, Mr J. Dunn, Misses Emily and Fanny Wiseman, Emma Neville, Mr George Loder (conductor), and others—the new company appearing in 44 Used Up” and the burlesque 44 Cinderella.” The 30th of the same month saw the Carandini company (who had meanwhile been performing at the 44 Commercial Concert Hall’’) return to Mi Fawcett’s banner, and produce the first opera played in Dunedin — 44 La Sonnambula ana Mans. Plenty joined the orchestra. [On November 3 Miss Harriet Gordon and Mr J. P. Hydes came out ai the Koyal in 44 The Twa Drovers ” and 44 The Honeymoon.”! On December 16 the Royal was closed, ana Mr Fawcett at the same time leaving the Princess’s Mr and Mrs Clarence Holt and Mr Wolfe took the management of the latter, combining the two companies. Under this rigime Mr Harry Jackson made his (Übut in 44 The Unequal Match.” In 1863 we find the same company still in possession, and on February 27 a performance was given ia aid of the Lancashire Relief Fund —the Garnik Club giving their aid. 4 ‘Money” was played, and in the bills appeared the names of Mr W. W. Wilson (Evelyn), Mr W. H. Mumford (Blount), Mr O’Meagher (Dudley Smooth), and Mr B, L. Faijeon (Graves). On April 1 appeared Professor Parker, the 44 Champion Swordsman of the Colonies,” and at the same time Miss Annie lies u uont (vocalist) made her emtsey; while they were quickly followed by a musical company, comprising Messrs Poussard and Douay (violin and violoncello), Mr E. A. Beaumont (tenor), and Mr W. H, Wilkinson (basso). [Professor Bushell' was at this tim 6 giving his elect) o-biological performances at the Masonic Hall.] The Marsh Troupe received an enthusiastic welcome ou May 18, and a request was added to play bills that “visitois to the Pit will refrain from smoking, as it prevents the juveniles from executing their vocal powers to the best advantage.” Fresh faces greeted

he audience on July 19, Miss Aitken giving her first recitation hero, and Messrs Stuart O’Brien, \V. H. Newton, Richardson, and others appearing in “The Merry Monarch.” Edr George Coppin opened the Royal, with the ancashire bellringers, on the 14th ; and on the 24th produced ‘‘ JLove, .Daw, and Physic.” with a company including himself, Mr G. H. Rogers, Miss M. Griffiths, and Mr Daniels.] The Christy Minstrels (including Mr Rainford) came out on August 11, the dramatic company meanwhile gqing over to Mr Coppin at the Royal; and after the darkies had departed that great favorite Miss Julia Matthews made her appearance on October 26 in “ The Daughter of the Regiment” and “Fra Diavolo” (burlesque), being received with torrents of applause and showers of bouquets night after night. The first mention of Mr Wilmot’s name occurs in the caste of “ Civilisation, ’ produced on December 4. Mr George Fawcett, the comedian, played Micawber in “David Copperfield” on the 14th, and Miss Marion Dunn camo out as Aretbusain ‘ ‘Endymion ” on the 26th. The year 1864 opened with the same company still on the Princess’s boards, but a memorable night was that of January 11. A crowded house then received Mr Joseph Jefferson, who appear© i in his great character—Rip Van Winkle. During this talented actor’s stay in Dunedin, however, he did not appear to be fully appreciated, as Ids engagement terminated on the 31st of the same month, after he had played Salem Scudder in “The Octoroon”; Asa Trsnchard in our “American Cousin and other good parts. On February 1 Miss Eloise Juno made her entree as Ophelia in “Hamlet,* and on the Bth Julia Matthews

was re-engaged after a short absence. Mr Farjeon’s burlesque, “The Golden Fleece,” took well for several nights just at that time. Mr George Fawcett is noted as re-appearing on March 20, and on April 22 Miss Julia Matthews took her farewell benefit, the house being literally crammed. That lady was to appear in the afterpiece on the following night for the last time, but as the ‘ Times ’ of that date says: “ The audience, as if by pre-arrangement, rose and quitted the theatre at the conclusion of the first piece. Why ? Because, no doubt, it was generally known that during the forenoon Miss Matthews had been married (to Mr W. H. Mumford).” Mr Shiels Barry, a comedian, appeared as -Handy Andy on April 26; and a future great favorite with Dunedinites made her dlhut on May 23, This was Miss Dolly Green, who played Ophelia to Mr Clarence Holt’s Hamlet; but her first appearance here was marred by there being something wrong with the gas, which necessitated the drama’s being gone through in almost total darkness On July 30 Mrs Clarence Holt took a final benefit, prior to herself and her husband going to England ; ou August 3 Miss Marion Dunn had also a benefit; on the 4th a complimentary benefit was given to Mr Far jeon, and on the sth Mr and Mrs T. Fawcett (Miss Lizzie Royal) followed suit. On the 12th a silver tea and coffee service was presented (on the stage) to Mr and Mrs Holt, and in acknowledge the testimonial Mr I lolb said that during the two past years he had paid L 7.000 as rent for the theatre; during one year LI, 30) to charities; to staraotorsduring fourteen months L 6,000 ; while the other working expenses had never been under L2OO per week. Still, he added, the balance was on the right side of the ledger. After benefits to other members of the company the was closed until the 27th, when, it being under the management of Mr Wolfe, the Lyster Opera Company opened with “Lucrezia Borgia” and “ The Daughter of the Regiment,” Among the troupe we find the familiar names of Miss Lucy Escott, Messrs Henry Squires, H. Wharton, E. A. Beaumont (formerly with Messrs Poussardjand Douay), F. Lyster, Mdlle. Rosalie Durand, and Miss Hodson. These had abrilliant season, performing nightly until October 4, when their farewell of Dunedin was taken and a dramatic troupe again took possession. This included most of the old members, and Miss Edith Russell, Mr Lionel Harding, and Mr Edwin Melville ; and it was materially strengthened by the addition of Miss Cleveland, who created a great sensation in “Leah” on the 18th, Mr Charles Vincent playing Rudolph. On November 21 we find Miss Joey Gougenheim making her first appearance as Nell Gwynne in “Court and Stage,” and her charming manner fascinated many during her engagement, which lasted about a month. Neither Miss Cleveland nor Miss Gougenheim, however, rendered the season very remunerative, and Mr Wolfe lost heavily. The pantomime of “Jack, the Giant Killer,” was produced at Christmas time, with Miss Rose Cooper, Dolly Green, and Mr Cunningham in the cast, but did not improve matters, and the year ended gloomily for theatrical matters. {To be continued.)