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Charles Young - Actor, Director, Assistant, Lessee
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- A Night at Emerald Hill, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 12 June 1863
- Dred or, A tale of the Great Dismal Swamp , Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 24 January 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- The Golden City or, Lights and Shadows of Melbourne Life, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 23 October 1854
- The Battle of Melbourne or A Column Wanted, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 1854
- Harlequin Jack Sheppard, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 17 January 1870
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- The Yellow Dwarf or The King Of the Golden Mines, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 25 April 1859
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- The Battle of Melbourne or A Column Wanted, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 1854
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Crohoore Na Bilhoge or, The Echo of the Caves of Dunmore, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 1 April 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
William Hoskins - Actor, Actor-manager, Director, Lessee
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
Frederick Coppin - Actor, Actor-manager, Composer, Musical Arranger
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- The Yellow Dwarf or The King Of the Golden Mines, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 25 April 1859
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- A Night at Emerald Hill, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 12 June 1863
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
W B Gill - Actor, Adaptor, Unknown
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Crohoore Na Bilhoge or, The Echo of the Caves of Dunmore, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 1 April 1867
- Harlequin Jack Sheppard, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 17 January 1870
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- A Night at Emerald Hill, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 12 June 1863
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Dred or, A tale of the Great Dismal Swamp , Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 24 January 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
Richard Younge - Actor, Actor-manager, Director, Stage Manager
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- The Yellow Dwarf or The King Of the Golden Mines, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 25 April 1859
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Dred or, A tale of the Great Dismal Swamp , Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 24 January 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- Riddle-me Riddle-me Ree or, Harlequin and Conundrum Castle, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1854
- The Battle of Melbourne or A Column Wanted, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 1854
- Crohoore Na Bilhoge or, The Echo of the Caves of Dunmore, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 1 April 1867
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Dred or, A tale of the Great Dismal Swamp , Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 24 January 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Riddle-me Riddle-me Ree or, Harlequin and Conundrum Castle, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1854
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- Dred or, A tale of the Great Dismal Swamp , Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 24 January 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- The Battle of Melbourne or A Column Wanted, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 1854
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- The Yellow Dwarf or The King Of the Golden Mines, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 25 April 1859
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- The Golden City or, Lights and Shadows of Melbourne Life, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 23 October 1854
- The Battle of Melbourne or A Column Wanted, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 1854
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- Riddle-me Riddle-me Ree or, Harlequin and Conundrum Castle, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1854
- The Battle of Melbourne or A Column Wanted, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 2 October 1854
- A Night at Emerald Hill, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 12 June 1863
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Dred or, A tale of the Great Dismal Swamp , Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 24 January 1857
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
Mr Watts - Properties Master, Scenic Artist
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
W Edinger - Properties Master
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
John Edouin - Actor, Director, Assistant
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
H Flexmore - Actor, Director, Director, Associate
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- A Night at Emerald Hill, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 12 June 1863
- The Yellow Dwarf or The King Of the Golden Mines, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 25 April 1859
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
Tom Leopold - Actor, Director, Assistant
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- The Yellow Dwarf or The King Of the Golden Mines, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 25 April 1859
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- The Will and The Way or The Vision Of Death, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 15 July 1865
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Harlequin Rumplestiltskin, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- Crohoore Na Bilhoge or, The Echo of the Caves of Dunmore, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 1 April 1867
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
Mr Douglas - Actor, Scenic Artist
- Harlequin Jack Sheppard, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 17 January 1870
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
J R Greville - Actor, Director, Stage Manager
- Harlequin Rumpelstiltskin or, the Demon Dwarf of the Goblin Gold Mines, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 December 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
Mr Lehman - Actor, Scenic Artist
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
Madame Marzetti - Actor, Choreographer, Dancer
- High, Low, Jack and the Game or Harlequin Prince Diamond and the Fairy Pearl, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1862
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin LSD or, The fairy Queen of Diamonds and the Lords of the Mineral Kingdom, Olympic Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1855
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- Harlequin Jack Sheppard, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 17 January 1870
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Maximilian or, The Empress and the Traitor, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 28 October 1867
- Ixion or, The Man at the Wheel, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 October 1867
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- The Last of the Ogres, or Harlequin Prince Amiable and the Four Wishes, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1864
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- Gulliver on his travels or, Harlequin and Father Christmas and the fairy queen of the silver acacias, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1866
- Harlequin Baron Munchausen or, The Green Wizard and The Fairy of the Silver Lake, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1865
- Harlequin Whittington and His Cat, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1857
- Multiplication is Vexation, Division is as Bad or, Harlequin Rule of Three and The Genius of the Crystal lake of Learning, Theatre Royal, Melbourne, VIC, 26 December 1856
B Thom - Composer, Musical Arranger
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
Mr C Wilson - Actor, Scenic Artist
- Crohoore Na Bilhoge or, The Echo of the Caves of Dunmore, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 1 April 1867
- Ali Baba or, the Forty Thieves, Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 5 September 1864
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 March 1855
- Rolla of Ours or, The Shameful Goings-on of the Spaniards in Peru, Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 8 January 1855
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
Mr Ford - Costume Maker
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
A Lehman - Actor, Unknown
B Levy - Musical Arranger
Mr Lewis - Properties Master
Mr Opie - Scenic Artist
Monsieur Rivere - Lighting Operator / Technician
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
Mr Siede - Composer, Musical Arranger
- Our City, Duke of Edinburgh Theatre, Melbourne, VIC, 27 June 1868
C Ward - Properties Master
E Young - Properties Master
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Mr. George Coppin's controversy with John Henry Thomas Manners-Sutton, Viscount Canterbury and Governor of Victoria 1866-1873, clearly proved that some Vice-Regal people were afflicted with very bad memories, or something worse. In the very early seventies Mr. Coppin founded an institution known as THE DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION which had a council to direct its affairs, and kept a minute-book with commendable regularity. The first hint the newspapers got of there being trouble about Vice-Regal dead heads was through the 'Age' of December 21, 1871, in which the proceedings of the council of the Australasian Dramatic, Operatic, Musical and Equestrian Association — comprehensible enough in all conscience — were reported. Amongst the business transacted there was a resolution, carried unanimously: 'That as his Excellency Lord Viscount Canterbury and suite patronise public entertainments upon the free list, an application should be sent to all managers from this association to discontinue a practice so unprofitable to the profession, and so undignified for the representative of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen.'
The 'Age' newspaper was evidently read at the gubernatorial breakfast table, as under date December 21, Lieutenant J. S. Rothwell, private secretary, writes: 'George Coppin, Esq., Chairman of the Council Australasian Dramatic, etc., Association,' thus:
'Sir— His Excellency, Viscount Canterbury has observed, in the report (in the 'Age' of this morning's issue) of the proceedings yesterday of the Australasian Dramatic, Operatic, Musical and Equestrian Association presided over by you, the announcement that the council has adopted a resolution, of which the following passage is the commencement: 'That his Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Lord Viscount Canterbury and suite, patronise public entertainments upon the free list, etc.'
'With reference to the assertion contained in this passage, Viscount Canterbury instructs me to state that if it should be intended to convey the inference that his Excellency is, or has been, in the habit of being present at dramatic, operatic, musical or equestrian entertainments without payment, that inference would be directly contrary to the facts of the case.
'It is, indeed, a fact that his Excellency's attendance at entertainments of this character has generally been at the request of managers, and it is also true that he has frequently attended them at considerable inconvenience to himself, but he is not aware of a single instance in which he has not paid for the seats which he has occupied; and if you should have any claim which, through inadvertence on my part, remains unsatisfied, against his Excellency for seats occupied by him at your theatres: or if there should be any manager among those with the council of which you are the president who has entered, or is about to enter, into communication, in accordance with the resolution to which I have referred, who has not been paid for the seats occupied by his Excellency at the dramatic, operatic, musical or equestrian establishment under his control, I shall esteem it a favor if the account should be sent to me, in order that it may be examined, and, if found correct, paid.'
To this very formal communication Mr. Coppin replied, in an equally formal manner :-
'Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of December 23 (sic) at 10.30 on Saturday night.
'In reply I most respectfully decline to furnish an account in order that it paid. The old established rule of my profession will not permit me to acknowledge debtors for admission to the theatre.'
Lieutenant Rothwell came again : —
'Sir,— I have laid before his Excellency Viscount Canterbury your letter of the 26th instant, which only reached me this morning (December 28), in which you have refused, for a reason alleged therein, to state the instances, if any, in which seats occupied at any time by his Excellency at any theatre under your management have not been paid for.
'His Excellency has instructed me to refrain from making any comment on this refusal, and I am to inform you that any correspondence with you on this subject is now closed.'
There were other letters, but those quoted contain the germ. The Melbourne press naturally sided with Government House as against the player, and that without hearing any reason from Mr. Coppin. The 'Australasian' was particularly severe, and extremely unjust, in its criticism of the action of the Dramatic Association. It heaped upon the devoted head of Coppin all the obloquy it could. The papers, the 'Argus' especially, believed Lieutenant Rothwell's assertion, and in fact, told George Coppin that he was a liar — if not in as many words, at least by strong inference. Thus the 'Australasian' :— 'That Association has been blamed for adapting an insolent and insulting resolution; and what says Mr. Coppin? His Excellency ought to pay for admission to the theatres. Very well. We are assured on excellent authority that Viscount Canterbury does so. When the Governor attends the Theatre Royal a cheque for the admissions is sent to the management next morning by the aide-de-camp. What becomes, then, of all this offensive talk about the free list? Mr. Coppin and his friends have made a great mistake, and have committed a glaring breach of good taste and propriety; but instead of contritely acknowledging their error and making a frank apology, they attempt to explain and justify their misconduct, and they fail signally. They should remember that the Melbourne public of 1871 is not the Melbourne public of 1855. Any sort of managerial flummery would go down at the earlier epoch. 'We have changed all that.' Mr. Coppin has done good service to the drama in days gone by, and we cheerfully acknowledge it ; but he is incapable of reading the signs of the times. 'Dodges' are out of date, and playgoers are beginning to understand that charitable benefits— especially when given on the worst night in the week, or the year— are mere devices to enable the manager to pull in sufficient people to pay the usual expense of the house, which, under ordinary circumstances, would not have been covered; while as regards the deduction made on that account before any surplus is handed over to the charity to be benefited, it is very well known that the expenses are down at 50 percent, higher than they actually are, the plausible excuse being that a charitable performance has the effect of lessening the average attendance on the night before and the night after it takes place. When David Garrick, being then manager of Drury Lane Theatre, gave a benefit for the theatrical fund instituted in connection with that establishment, he handed over the gross receipts of the house to that fund without deductions of any kind. He did the same when Mrs. Gibbes took a benefit on the 10th of March, 1754 and also on November 11, 1753, when the performances were, 'on behalf of a gentleman with a very large family.' This was true charity, but, so far as our recollections of Garrick's voluminous published correspondence serves us, he never boasted of it; and never traded upon it.
But then Garrick was a gentleman.'
OI course the sting of the article is in its tail, but the 'Australasian' scribe was a bit previous. George Coppin was the last man in the world to allow his 'bone to go with the dog,' and the Dramatic Association loyally backed him up. The 'Daily Telegraph' (Melbourne), in its issue of December 29, said: 'It is a very remarkable correspondence, and it has this outcome: If Viscount Canterbury is not the biggest of falsehood mongers, Mr. Coppin is the meanest. There is no escape from that very unpleasant dilemma. We shall all be agreed on the point that one or the other — the Governor or the manager ought to be hissed out of the theatre the next time he appears there.'
The Dramatic Association appointed a sub-committee to investigate the whole matter, and from the tenor of its report one can imagine that the snuff-taking, port-wine-loving Viscount Canterbury would wish that he had taken no public notice of the resolution passed by the A.D.O.M. and E. A., but had let sleeping dogs lie. On Wednesday, January 3, 1872, the council met at St. George's Hall, when there were present— George Coppin (in the chair), James Simmonds (sec.), R. Stewart, William Pitt, J. H. Wilton, Richard Capper, Fred. Coppin, G. Seide, J. R. Greville, John Hennings, R. Scott, W. Holmes, G. Chapman, and John Dunn. Amongst other business done was the election of Martin Simonsen and Enderby Jackson as governors. Miss Lizzie Watson was also elected to a similar position ; and Mr. J. H.Wilton was transferred from membership to governorship. Mr. Edward Gladstone and Mr. James Alison were elected members. Amongst the subscriptions acknowledged were 10 guineas from Spiers and Pond, London ; a guinea from Dan Melhado, Sydney; and a guinea from Tommy Trotter, of whom more at another time.
Lieutenant Rothwell's letter was read, and Mr. Coppin entered into an explanation of the correspondence which had passed between him and the Lieutenant. Mr. Coppin explained that he refused to furnish an account on several grounds. Theatrical management was a ready money business. No one whatever could pass a check-taker without first purchasing his ticket of admission, with the exception of those who received the compliment of being placed upon the free list, ‘a compliment, by the way, which was not practised by any other trade or profession but theirs. Etiquette opened the doors of a of place of public amusement, without demanding a ticket, to the representative of her Majesty, and in return, custom dictated the presentation of a cheque to the management with as little delay as possible, the amount of that cheque being generally regulated by the liberality of the Governor and the amount he received from the public purse by way of salary. Lord Canterbury had neglected to carry out that principle, and he (Mr. Coppin) could but think that the omission on the part of the Governor was not at all in accordance with the dignity we had a right to expect from a well-paid representative of Royalty.’
The meeting passed a resolution confirming Mr. Coppin's action, and appointed a committee of three— Messrs. Wilton, Capper and Simmonds — to report upon the matter in dispute. At the following meeting the committee brought up its report. The document placed Lord Canterbury and his private secretary in a somewhat unenviable position. The committee presented a few cases which were indisputably shown to be glaringly inconsistent with Rothwell's assertion. 'Visits of his Excellency the Governor to the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, upon which occasions no payments have been made : 1867 — August 21, command, no payment. 1868 — January 13, patronage, no payment; November 23, command, no payment; 1869— January 4, command, no payment; May 1, command, no payment; May 27, patronage, no payment (Note A); October 28, command, no payment. 1870 — May 14, command, no payment. About this time it appeared that the acting manager instructed the box-bookkeeper to make out an account against the Governor. He also informed his partners that he had spoken to Lieutenant Rothwell for the purpose of obtaining payments. No notice, as yet, has been taken of the communication. June 30, command; December 13, patronage. The sum of £3 15s has been paid for the last two visits, at the rate of 5s per ticket for the centre box, the established price being 7s 6d per ticket. Authenticated by the account books of the theatre and the statements of the treasurer.
'Theatre Royal, Haymarket : 1867—January 11, command, no payment; August 10, command, no payment. The absence of the manager leaves a blank of three years. 1870 — November 4, command, no payment; November 9, patronage, no payment (Note B). Authenticated by the accounts of the theatre and the treasurer.
'St. George's Hall (Weston and Hussey): 1869 — June 23, command, no payment; July 23, command, no payment. Authenticated by the books and the statements of the managers.
'Town Hall, Melbourne : 1871— May 13, benefit concert, patronage, no payment (Note C).
'Note A. — Your committee consider that this night had special claims upon the Governor's purse. The entertainments were given by the Foresters' Society, for the benefit of the Melbourne Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum. The printed accounts show 'no payment' for the Gubernatorial party.
'Note B. — Your committee report these two occasions as 'no payment' because the manager did not participate in the amount that his Excellency presented to the official assignee of an insolvent estate nearly three years old. If the Governor had paid for his boxes within a reasonable time, the manager would have received the share he paid to the 'star,' and the proportion to which he was justly entitled for providing the entertainment.'
In other words, the Governor, Viscount Canterbury, only paid for the boxes when, three years afterwards, the official assignee in the estate of the insolvent manager was collecting the debts due, and furnished his Excellency with an account of the amount of his indebtedness.
'Note C. — This is a special case for notice, as the benefit was given to relieve a talented artist from pressing difficulties and to provide funds for his passage to England. The accounts and statements of members of the managing committee prove 'no payment.' The above facts are sufficient to prove the general correctness of the resolution, and the consequent inaccuracy of the statement contained in the letter of the private secretary. Your committee are not in a position to show that his Excellency attended operatic entertainments without paying for admission, as the leading operatic managers are absent from the colony, but inasmuch as they are aware that those managers frequently, and most publicly, complained of this being the case, they can hardly suppose that they would do so without adequate cause. Your committee may further refer to the correspondence of a late manager of the Haymarket Theatre, which has been published in a Melbourne newspaper, in support of the allegation, contained in the resolution. The manager, in question had literally to 'dun' the private secretary before he could obtain any answers to his letters or an acknowledgment of his claim, and at last reaped scarcely any personal advantage from his persistency. The nights upon which his Excellency, the Governor visited the places of amusement free, in company, with his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh have been struck out of the list's that have been produced, as your committee acknowledge with gratitude the patronage and assistance given by his Royal Highness to the Galatea amateur performances contributed £120 11s. 6d. to the building fund of the Asylum of Decayed Actors, established by the Hon. George Coppin. Your committee, in conclusion, report that the terms of the resolution are fully borne out by the facts.— Richard Capper, chairman of the committee.
(To be continued.)
Article:  Joseph Michael Forde, ANNALS OF THE TURF AND OTHER PASTIMES. In New South Wales and Elsewhere. NO. LXXIV., Sydney Sportsman, 12 October 1904, 3
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Some controversy has been carried on in the Sydney papers respecting the tercentenary celebration at Melbourne of Shakespeare's birth, and, strange to say, the 'authorities' differ. As a matter of fact, some years before the date of the centenary, April 23, 1864, the Melbourne Garrick Club had made arrangements to celebrate the occasion with a performance of "The Merchant of Venice," introduced by the Introduction to the 'Taming of the Shrew,' and, sandwiched, a tableau of Shakespearian characters. The Garrick Club was founded in 1855 by some enthusiastic amateur actors, who were anxious to fret their little hour upon the stage for charitable purposes.
Amongst the founders of the club were James Smith (of the 'Argus'), James E. Neild, M.D., and W. J. Wilson, a scenic artist of much dramatic ability, all three, l am gratified to say, still living. Then, as president, there was R. H. Horne, better, perhaps, known as 'Orion' Horne, from the fact that he wrote a poem under that title, which was published in London at the extraordinary price of a farthing. There was Tom Pavey, the solicitor, who acted for all thespians when they had any legal matters on hand, John Edwards, the younger, who was articled to John Barter Bennett, the solicitor, Alfred Bliss, of Bliss and Joy (what a combination!), auctioneers. - There was J. B. Castieau, who had been in the service of the Government as ruler at the Melbourne Gaol, and a score of others, more or less Bohemian. The first performance was given at the Theatre Royal, under the patronage of Governor Sir Charles Hotham, who had with him in his private box the Colonial Auditor-General, Mr. Grimes, a pompous individual, who was given the appointment through his aristocratic connections, notwithstanding his plebeian name. The piece chosen was "The Heir at Law,” John Edwards performing Dr. Pangloss. It will be remembered that Pangloss has a catch phrase, naming the author whom he quotes. At that time the Victorian finances were in somewhat of a muddle, and when Edwards, as Pangloss, should have said, "Two and two are four, 'Cocker,'" Edwards said "Take 3 from 6 and 5 remains, Grimes," which so offended the Auditor-General that he left the theatre, though asked by Sir Charles Hotham to remain.
Poor Jack Edwards was a thorough Bohemian, a native of Tasmania, to which I believe his father, also a solicitor, was sent for something connected with Chartism. Articled to John Barter Bennett, the latter always patronised the Garrick Club performances, but a time came when he was called upon to put the question very straight to young Edwards, as to which profession he would adopt, that of law or the stage, “For you know, Edwards that you cannot follow both.” Jack chose the law, though he did not abandon the amateur stage.
This erratic individual was born in 1836, at Launceston, and educated by two clergymen, one of whom, Mr. Trollope, had been head master of Christ's Hospital, and started the first collegiate school in Victoria. Edwards was brought to Port Philip when a child and, after schooling, was articled first to Mr. Trenchard, whose son was a suitor for the hand of enchanting Julia Mathews at the same time that R. O'Hara Burke, the explorer was urging his suit. Julia however wedded neither, though I have her own word for it that she would have married Burke had he returned. O'Hara Burke was dead then, and his name was a good advertisement for the gentle, guileless Julia. She wore his picture in miniature and contrived to lose it one Sunday afternoon in the Botanical Gardens.
Edwards was transferred to Mr. Bennett, and had charge of the Common Law department; but, as mentioned, he was more frequently to be found, behind the scenes of the Theatre Royal than at the County Court; which was supposed to be his happy hunting ground. He was admitted a solicitor in 1858 and entered Parliament in 1859, being known as the 'Collingwood Chicken' and the 'Native Companion.' He had as colleagues the late Charles Jardine Don, a stonemason, and the first Labor member ever returned to Parliament, and George Milner Stephen; brother of Sir Alfred Stephen, and the gentleman who afterwards posed as a faith healer. Mr. Edwards was high up in Masonry, very, open-handed and good-hearted, too much so for his own good.
The writer was associated him once in a dramatic performance in aid of the fund being raised for a memorial to G. V. Brooke. The play was the “Poor Gentleman,” Edwards being the Dr. Ollapod, and this scribe Sir Robert Bramble. On the morning of the performance Mr. Edwards sent for me. He had been to Sandhurst a couple of days before, performing for the same object, and had caught a cold, and a bad one. He was in bed, with old Dr. Serrell alongside, and a blister as big as a blanket on his chest. To play that night was out of the question. I was commissioned to interview Mr. William Hoskins, erstwhile of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and who was the lessee of the old Princess', in Spring-street, where we were to play. Hoskins had the Royal at the same time; it was at the latter house that I saw him, in the 'treasury,' as the ramshackle office was called. I have seen men out of temper in my time, but I have not as yet come across one who equalled William Hoskins on that morning. You see, we 'shared the house' after a certain sum— £60, I think— was deducted for rent. Mr. Hoskins was afraid that the public would get wind of Mr. Edwards' illness, and the receipts would suffer. Hoskins was the best player of such characters as Ollapod and Dr. Pangloss that I have ever seen. Of course he had to fill the gap, and right well he did it. Dr. J. E. Neild was entrusted with the apology for Edwards. The little doctor was never subject to stage fright, but in making the apology he led the audience to believe that John was suffering a recovery, or something of the sort. But when Dr. Neild announced that Mr. Hoskins was to be the Ollapod of the night the cheers nearly raised the roof. Like Marcus Clarke, Mick Maloney, and a few of that kidney, John Edwards' Bohemianism shortened his days.
The Shakespeare memorial, which has been the subject of some controversy recently, was started by Barry Sullivan, with the object, of purchasing a statue which the sculptor Summers was preparing. Sullivan was the moving spirit in the statue enterprise, while G. W. Rusden, the Clerk of the Parliaments, favoured a scholarship at the University. The statue was cast in plaster, and was to cost £1000. The plaster cast was unveiled by Barry Sullivan on the steps of the Public Library, where now stands the statue of Sir Redmond Barry. The statue was never cast, the funds not coming in fast enough, the subscriptions being returned by the treasurer, Frederick Wilkinson, Master in Equity.
The scholarship fared better. Mr. Rusden got up a dramatic performance of the “Merchant of Venice,” the parts being taken by members of Parliament, Mr. George Coppin, M.L.C., the father now of the Australian stage, being the Launcelot Gobbo. Another old actor, though long retired, Mark Last King - on the stage Moreton King—was the Shylock. Few Sydney people today remember Moreton King, though he played in the old Victoria Theatre, in Pitt Street and was considered a great star. A prologue was written by Mr. G. W. Rusden and spoken by Mr. J. D. Wood, the barrister, who has recently returned to his native land (Tasmania) to end his days. Vincent Pyke, at one time Minister for Customs under Sir James M'Culloch, wrote and spoke a very smart epilogue. Mr. Pyke afterwards, betook himself to Maoriland, where he loomed big in politics and Bohemianism. The Garrick Club played “The Merchant of Venice” on the evening before the date, April 23, of the tercentenary, Samuel Hawker Banks, a Sydney native and well-known literary man, being the Shylock. On that night, for the first time in Australia, and I think the only time, the introduction to the “Taming of the Shrew” was performed. Herbert Palmer, afterwards on the literary staff of the 'Age,' being the Christopher Sly. The tableau of Shakespearian characters was centred by the late William Pitt, the well-known scenic artist, who was always pressed into the service when a bust of Shakespeare was needed. In addition to his scenic art, Mr. Pitt kept the Garrick's Head Hotel, in Bourke-street, opposite the Eastern Markets, and where, by the way, I first made the acquaintance of the now Mrs. H. L. Roberts, of the Criterion, but then the favourite of Melbourne, and known as Miss Polly Smith. In Mr. Pitt's cellar, not the one where he kept the casks, but another, quite distinct, were nursed some of the finest sporting dogs I have ever seen, dogs that would charm my valued correspondent, the Hon. Thomas Reibey of Entally. The well-known theatre architect and M.L.C. (Victoria) is the son of this Mr. William Pitt, of the Garrick's Head. The Shakespearian performance which has given rise to the commentary was that given by Mr. Harry Edwards (whom some old Sydneyites will yet remember; he was with us not long before his death, when he bought 'Little Lord Fauntleroy') at Ballarat, which was then the home of the drama, though I am afraid it is not now. But all the dramatic efforts to make a Shakespearian jubilee failed, with the single exception of the Rusden Scholarship, and it is very questionable now if the memorial to the 'divine William' is remembered.
Article:  Joseph Michael Forde, ANNALS OF THE TURF AND OTHER SPORTS. No. LIII, Sydney Sportsman, 18 May 1904, 8
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Photograph:  Talmar, Photograph, At the Bar, Theatre Royal, c.1865, Arts Centre Melbourne, Australian Performing Arts Collection
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