Page:ChroniclesofEarlyMelbournevol.1.pdf/494

Sailor's Hornpipe (in character), acquitting himself so yvell that he was punished by an encore; whilst an amateur (Joseph Harper, a dancing-master), footed it in a Highland Fling. A Mr. Mossman next " did " the overture to Fra Diavolo in such a yvay as " to electrify the audience ;" and a Master Eyles sang syveetly, " I've Journeyed over M a n y Lands." T h e entertainment wound up yvith " The Lottery Ticket," M r . AVinter playing the Lawyers Clerk, M r . Miller as Capias, and Mrs. Avins as Susan, T h e beginning so m a d e was highly encouraging, the proceeds amounting to £ 9 8 . T w o other performances were subsequently given and paid well, the experiment resulting in a handsome contribution to the Charity interested. A n extension of the license was obtained, and the Pavilion was designated " T h e Theatre Royal." T h e performances yvere continued at short intervals—Buckingham remaining stage manager, and a few professionals being paid. Mr. Southall as scene painter is said to have " done wonders," and the pieces produced included " R o b Roy," " T h e Queer Subject," " O u r Mary Anne," " T h e Carnival Ball," "The T w o Gregories," " T h e Denouncer," " T h e Three Mrs. AAreggins," " T h e Heir-at-Law," etc, etc. O n one of the nights some of the gentlemen scamps of the period amused themselves by letting offfireworksin the house, causing m u c h alarm and risking conflagration. Legal proceedings were threatened next day, but a compromise was effected by an ample apology and a liberal consideration, the Press magnanimously not disclosing the offending names. T h e place soon after was known as " T h e Amateur Theatre." As the novelty began to cool, the charges for admission were reduced, cash was taken at the doors, and for the exclusion of disreputable characters, ex-Constable AA^aggoner, yvho knew every man, yvoman and child, good, bad and indifferent in the toyvn, did duty at the box entrance. O n the 16th May, Buckingham yvas given a benefit as stage manager, and his caste included " T h e Grand Eastern Spectacle of Married and Buried ; or, the Shipwrecked Cockney." T h e scenery is declared to have been " beautiful," the dresses appropriate, and the stage grand ; yet the badness of the times acted very prejudicially upon the attendance. Buckingham appeared as Benjamin Bowbell, Davies as Dr. Alibujau, Messrs. Smith, AVise, Avins, Jones, and McMillan assumed various characters, whilst the lady parts yvere apportioned amongst Mrs. Avins, and the Misses Southall and Sinclair. T h e after piece yvas " Hercules ; or, T i m of Clubs." O n e night in June " Jack " Davies, the journalistic amateur, secured a benefit in returnforhis past gratuitous services, yvhen something approaching a great uproar occurred in consequence of some of the audience hissing Buckingham just as he yvas about to stab Therese in the " Orphan of Geneva." Buckingham turned round, and brandishing his dagger in the face of the enemy threatened to m a k e mince-meat of any number of them. A burly loon in the front ofthe pit declared he would punch Buckingham's head, and the enraged actor solemnly voyved " he yvould leap dagger and all d o w n the other f e h W s throat." T h e pit-man yvas seconded by a companion, who sang o u t — " I have heard of conjurers syvallowing knives afore, but I never ha' seen a cove yet as could put another fellow outside him ; it yvould take two to do that, m y balmy bloke." After m u c h recrimination over the footlights, order yvas restored, but only for a short time. T h e after-piece was " T h e Middy Ashore," in which Boursiquot, the other Press amateur, had a leading part, yvhich he interlarded with some gagging of so grossly an indelicate description, as to occasion m u c h dissatisfaction, and the proceedings yvere brought to a premature close. For his misbehaviour the stewards prohibited Boursiquot from ever again appearing on the boards. There was a very inefficient town band, which cost the theatre ten guineas per week ; and when the season closed it was found that the steyvards yvere £ 2 0 0 out of pocket, though it yvas alleged they had given £ 7 5 for charitable purposes. T h e deficit was supposed to have been caused by the cost offittingsup and providing a wardrobe. Under the circumstances, it would be surprising if the theatre speculation had any other result. Hoyvever, in July the license reneyval for twelve months arrived from Sydney, and an effort yvas made to re-open the theatre upon a paying basis. Buckingham yvas to continue stage manager, and Mr. Richard Capper was appointed mechanist. H e had recently arrived in Melbourne, and was destined to outlive his contemporaries by a Victorian stage connection, during many years. At the period of m y writing this sketch (1883) Mr. Capper has retired to settle down, and enjoys a placid old age in the vicinity of Melbourne. Pie is a m e m b e r of the Old Colonists' Society, the " Father " of the Melbourne stage, and is