T H E FIRST T H E A T R I C A L P E R F O R M A N C E
Was an event looked forward to yvith hopes and misgivings, and the following " bill" was a novelty in its way :— THEATRE ROYAL, MELBOURNE. By Special Permission from the Colonial Secretary. The Public is most respectfully informed that the Amateur Performance, in aid of the
MELBOURNE HOSPITAL FUND, will take place on M O N D A Y E V E N I N G , 2IST F E B R U A R Y , 1842, At the Theatre in Bourke Street. Previous to the commencement of the Perlormance, the Band will play the National Anthem of
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. To be folloyved by an appropriate Address, to be delivered by M R . A R D E N . The Performance will commence yvith the Laughable Fetite Comedy, entitled T H E WIDOAV'S VICTIM. After which, A Sailor's Hornpipe (in character)—Master Conlan. Song—Master Eyles. Highland Fling (in character)—by a Gentleman Amateur. " The Steam Arm " — M r . Buckingham. The yvhole will conclude with the Laughable Farce, in one Act, called
TIIE LOTTERY TICKET; OR THE LAWYER'S CLERK. Tickets for the Pit or Boxes, 7s. each, to be procured from either of the Steyvards. Gallery Tickets to be obtained at Holme's Stationery Warehouse, Collins Street, and at the Bar of the Albion Hotel, Bourke Street. Jt2TNo money will be taken at the Doors. Doors open at Six o'clock, and the Performance will commence at Seven o'clock precisely. J. E. Murray, George Arden, ~i George. Cavenagh, William Kerr, J- Stewards. H. N. Carrington, John Stephen. ' The Stage Management under the Direction of M R . B U C K I N G H A M .
Financial and other difficulties in a short time led to the retirement of Arden and Carrington, to be replaced by Messrs. C. H. Ebden, and B. Baxter. As events yvorked they were heavily mulcted by being, with Cavenagh, as the most solvent partners, obliged to contribute the major part of certain pecuniary obligations, the theatrical treasury being empty. Out of this original amateur brigade, there only survive (in 1883), Baxter, the phlebotomised steward, and Cashmore, the universal genius. At length the all-important evening arrived, when there was a bumper house, and owing, as was thought, to Buckingham's judicious management, everything passed off well, and without even the "smallest hitch," in the newspaper phraseology of the day. The overture to the " Bronze Horse " was executed with talent and effect; but Arden, the Editor of the Gazette, who yvas to have delivered the opening address, being in gaol under commitment by Judge Willis, yvas not a Sir Boyle Roche bird, and could not be in two places at one time ; so Kerr of the Patriot officiated as his brother Editor's proxy by merely announcing the "postponement" of the recitation. Cheers yvere given for the imprisoned absentee, intermingled with hisses for the Judge. The scenery painted by a Mr. Southall was described as highly creditable to that artist. In " The AVidow's Victim " the lady performers were Mrs. Avins and Miss Sinclair (professionals) as Jane, and Mrs. Rattleton, Miss Taylor as Mrs Twitters. Messrs. Davies and Boursiquot (reporters of the Patriot and Herald) took Jerry Clip and Mr Twitters, whilst the part of Pelham Podge fell to Buckingham. Master Conlan danced a
