INTERESTING THEATRICAL LINES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3060, 3 December 1908, Page 7

INTERESTING THEATRICAL LINES.

1 REMINISCENCE OF CONVJCT DAYS. Below we publish (through the 'courteay of a correspondent) the lines recited as a prologue at the opening ot the first theatre iri Sydney, on January 16th, 1796. The lines were supposed to have been written by a convict named Barrington, and all the actors and actresses (amateurs) who took part performance were convicts. "The names Macheath and Filch were the names of two characters taken from an jld play. References from the lines are well-known. "From distant climes, o'er widespread seas we come, Though Dot with much eclat, or beat of drum; True patriots all, for, be it understood, We left our country for our country's good: i—Ne private views disgraced our generous zeal, ,' What urged our travels was our country's weal; And none will doubt but that our emigration -Has proved most useful to the British nation. JBut, you enquire, what could our breasts inflame, With this new passion for theatric fame; What, in the practice of our former days, Could shape our talent to exhibit plays? Your patience, sirs, some observations made, You'll grant us equal to the scenic trade. Jie, who to midnight ladders is no stranger, You'll own will make an admirable Ranger. To seek Macheath we have not far to roam, And sure ir. Filch I shall be quite at • home, .Unrivalled there, none will dispute my claim To iiigh pre eminence and exalted fame. -As oft an Gadshil| we have ta'en our stand, '•When 'twas so dark you could not see your hand, :Some true-brsd Falstaff we dso start, Who,, when well bolstered,'well will play his part. 'The scene to vary, we shall try in time To treat you with a little pantomime. ;Here light and easy columbines are found, And well-tried harlequins with us abound; From durance vile our precious selves to keep, We often had recourse to th' flying leap; To a black face have sometimes owed escape, -And Hounslow Heath has proved the worth of ,crap 6 But how, you ask, can e'er we hope to soar Above these scenes, 2nd rise t<r tragic lore? "Too oft, alas, we've forced th' unwilling tsar, /And petrified the heart with real fear. . Macbeth a harvest of applause will reap, For some of us, I fear, have murdered sleep; •Jflis lady too with grace will sleep and talk, • Our females have been used at night to walk. Sometimes, indeed, so various is our art, An actor may improve and mend his part; ■Give me a horse% bawls Richard, like a drone, We'll find a man would help himself to one, Grant us your favour, put us to the test, To gain your smiles we'll do our very best; ..And, without dread of future Turnkey Lock its, " Thus, in an honest way, still pick your pockets.