THEATRE ROYAL. (1862, May 26).

During the last week, the interior of the Theatre Royal has undergone such a thorough transformation that it was scarcely recognisable under its new aspect when opened for promenade concerts on Saturday evening. These entertainments are, we believe, the joint enterprise of Mr W. S. Lyster and of Messers, Spiers and Pond, and they have been got up with a liberality of expenditure, and are conducted in a spirit, which entitle them to the success achieved by the first of the series. The pit of the theatre has been boarded over on a level with the stage, and as the whole depth of the latter has been thrown open, an immense area is thus secured for promenading. An elevated orchestra has been constructed immediately beneath the proscenium, and is occupied by a band which includes most of the best instrumentalists in Victoria, under the conduct of Mr. A Rolff. The stage itself presents the appearance of an elegant pavilion, decorated with shrubs, and brilliantly illuminated, and the general effort is light and cheerful, and reflects great credit on Mr. Hennings, who has superintended its metamorphosis. Where the wings need to be on either side, four spacious alcoves have been erected, furnished with lounges and marble tables, the walls being ornamented with fluted drapery of various colours; the unsightly flies are concealed from sight by folds of particoloured cambric; and at the extremity of the stage the roof of the pavilion slopes down to what resembles a balcony, looking out upon a view of the Bay of Naples, from the expert pencil of Mr. Hennings. Along this balcony is ranged a refreshment bar, in the arrangement of which a good deal of taste has been displayed. We should also mention that the Vestibule has been redecorated and renovated, and constituted a sort of smoking saloon, as this practice is rigidly interdicted in the theatre; nor was there any attempt to resort to it on Saturday evening on the part of the promenaders, amongst whom the utmost decorum prevailed. Between 2000 and 3000 persons were present, notwithstanding the unfavourable condition of the weather; and the house presented a really brilliant aspect, whether viewed from the boxes or the promenade, recalling to recollection the appearance of Drury Lane when Jullien used to wield his baton, with so much affectation and effect, in an orchestra which has contributed two or three of its best soloists to that of the theatre royal.

It is unnecessary to say that as the principal vocalists presented themselves to take part in the concert they were greeted with acclamations, and that the appearance of each of them was a signal for the promenaders to gather in a compact mass round the centre of attraction. The programme was judiciously selected, for while the works of the best composers were not neglected in it, it comprehended some of those Jullienesque polkas and quadrilles which are so popular with a mixed audience; and the vocal pieces embraced familiar ballads, as well as selections from choice operas. Madam Lucy Ascott was in excellent voice, and sang the “Robert, toi que j’aime” splendidly; and great praise must also be awarded to Mr Henry Squires for his beautiful execution of “Come into the garden, Maud.” In the famous old ballad of “Sally in our Alley” he was vehemently encored, and a similar compliment was awarded to Mr Farqhuarson for his spirited delivery of the descriptive scenes of the “Ship on Fire.”

Among the instrumental selection given on Saturday evening, special mention must be made of a clever pot pourri, arranged by Mr. Reiff; and the “Carnival of Venice,” with variations for a number of instruments, arranged by Herr Siede, whose solos on the flute were as admirable as those on the flageolet and cornet a-piston by Mr. Kohler, who rivals his former colleague, Herr Koenig.

Altogether the performance was extraordinary, when we take into consideration that the price of admission to all parts of the house, except the dress circle, was only a shilling. A few years ago, people in Melbourne would have cheerfully paid half a guinea admission to an entertainment of a far inferior character, and it is not surprising, therefore, to find so large a concourse of persons flocking to the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening, in spite of the rain, and mud, and cold, to listen to what we must characterise as the cheapest and pleasantest popular concert ever given in this city.