OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 169, 19 October 1893, Page 9

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

(FROM our own correspondent.) October 1. Last night the long-talked of re-open-ing of the Theatre Royal took place, under the management of Mr Joseph Parker Hall. The idea is, now that Miss Eloise Juno is leaving Australia to give that lady an opportunity of appearing in a round of her favourite characters. The opening piece was ‘Jeanie Deans, or the Heart of Midlothian.’ The cast was as follows : —John, Duke of Argyle, Edwin Kelly; Gordon Robertson, R. Stewart, jun.; David Deans, Owen Harris ; Reuben Butler, Robin Ellis ; Mr Saddletree, Mr Rolands ; Mr Sharpitlaw, E. D. Haygarth ; Mr Archibald, G. H. Ross; The Laird of Dumbiedikes. Tom Cannan; The Lord’s Justiciary, G. Brown; Counsel for the Crown, Ronald Douglass; Counsel for the Defence, Rich. Stewart, Ben.; Usher of the Court, D. Anderson ; iames Ratcliffe, R. H. Vernon; Frank .eavitt, T. Lumsden; Tyburn Tam, Quin Kingston; Caroline, Maud Williamson ; Lady Suffolk, Eva Moncreif; Lady Norfolk, Miss Robertson; Lady Douglass, Miss Haygarth ; Lady Seaton Stewart, Lindley Koutz ; Jernie Deans, Eloise Juno ; Effie Deans, Beatrice Oxford ; Mrs Balchristie, Rose Vernon Paget; Marjory Murdochson, Julia Merton ; Madge Wildfire, Aimee Moore. As will be seen at a glance the cast is a very strong one, and as old Dick Stewart is back again in harness, and as John Hemmings is the scenic artist, with H. T. Sproule as treasurer, and Pat Finn as general manager, an unusually big thing was looked forward to. Expectations were more than realised, money was turned away, and the performance went off without a hitch. For a first-night performance the piece went marvellously well, The next production is to be ‘ Guy Mannerin g.’ The Italian Opera Company are doing well at the Princess, but not perhaps quite as well as some people would wish. The last nights of the show are now announced.

The Bijou Theatre re opens next Saturday night with the Arnold-Thornton Company, most of whom have arrived from the old country. ‘ Hans the Boatman’ is the first piece, Harwood being the business manager.

A number of well known Australian theatrical people expected to have ‘ gone on’ with the management, but their fond hopes have been suddenly dashed to the ground with the discovery that Arnold had brought out his own crowd. The circus is also in its last nights, Fillis and his wife being billed for benefits. Allan Hamilton’s place is now filled by Harry Barton. This latter gentleman, by the way, was for a long time the manager for Miller, the theatrical printer, and later on with Troedel’s firm.

The music halls are all open, but the business is not of a over-brilliant description. Dan Tracey is the latest to take up the managerial ribbons at St. George’s Hall. Johnnie Wallace’s benefit has not yet come off.

Pantomime preparations are now being pushed forward. Gourley and Walton’s Company return to Melbourne at Cup time. Jennie Lee is here. Barry’s Company in Adelaide; the Taylor-Carrington in Ballarat; Dobson and O’Neill in South Australian towns. The Flat.