See also 1870s Theatre
1872 - The first Theatre Royal in Gulgong was located behind Michael Ward's Turf Hotel (at No 137 Mayne Street).
Michael Ward was licensee of Turf Hotel. Attached to the rear of this hotel was the Theatre Royal, and at one time it was managed by Miss Joey Gougenheim, a name in Gulgong theatre circles.
Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)
NEWS ITEMS
1871 - STAR DRAMATIC COMPANY
This company has during the past week, been performing at the theatre back of Ward's public house, to fair average houses. On Tuesday evening the piece called 'Black-eyed Susan' was introduced, the part of William being taken by Mr Flynn, and that of Susan by Miss Morgan. We do not know the name of the party who took the part of Bailiff, but we think the allusion to Billygoat Hill and the Gulgong Mercantile Advertiser, however witty they were intended to be, were entirely out of place in the piece. We recollect seeing Mr T. P. Cooke play in 'Black-eyed Susan' on the London boards many years ago, and we certainly do not recollect, either Billygoat Hill or Mercantile Advertiser being introduced; it is true we were young at the time, and might have forgotten the circumstances.
Source: 'Gulgong Advertiser' of November 2, 1871 as reproduced in Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 16 Jun 1932 Page 121872 - [PERFORMANCES]
Mr. Charles Young and Mr. Holloway opened at the Theatre Royal, Gulgong, last Saturday night, in conjunction with Joey Gougenheim, in "All that Glitters is not Gold," and the "Young Widow."
This theatre will open this evening, under the management of Messrs. E. Holloway, W.G. Carey and H. Power. The company engaged is one worthy of a liberal patronage by the play going public. It comprises the ‘pick’ of the company lately playing the Prince of Wales [Sydney]; and on reference the bill for this evening the names of a number of old favourites will be found. The ventilation and lighting has been altered for the better and as smoking is strictly prohibited ladies may rely upon being able to enjoy the programme without any drawbacks.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 91, June 29, 1872
1872 - RETIREMENT
It is announced that Miss Joey Gougenheim will retire from the Gulgong stage. In view of this an influential committee of gentlemen have invited her to accept a complimentary benefit at Ward's Theatre Royal, tomorrow night. It is understood that her theatrical speculations upon this gold field have been anything but profitable. One reason of her determination to retire from the stage is said to be failing health. Miss Maggie Oliver has been playing at the Royal, and at the Home Rule since her return, and continues to be a great favourite. Miss Saunders sings her simple English ballads with much sweetness. Mr. Byers has taken the lead ing parts in the various dramas. Mr. Husker preserves his serio-comic countenance and voice, while Mr. Melville, a promising young actor, has become quite popular. At the Prince of Wales Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Holloway, flanked by Miss Anna Millner, Madame Roland, and Messrs. W. G. Carey, Harry Power, Harry Douglas, and others; continue to draw excellent houses about two evenings in the week. On every Saturday night the house is crowded and seats about 800 persons. The pieces are arranged and put before the public in a very superior style. The scenery by Mr. Kinchelar, and mechanical effects by the Messrs. Bolton are really splendid, and add much to the perfect manner in which the plays are produced. The singing of Miss Milner is much admired. As I close this letter on Tuesday afternoon the rain is pouring down in torrents, and there is every indication that we shall get sufficient water this time to fill the dams and creeks. The country in every direction is looking beautiful. Abundance of grass is rapidly springing and the season bids fair to be a favourable one.
1872 - THEATRICAL
Two sensational circumstances have occurred in theatrical circles since my last letter. These were the appearance of Miss Amy Chambers, formerly of the Chambers Family, and Misa Lizzie Morgan, at the Prince of Wales Opera House. Miss Chambers, during the past two years, has availed herself of favourable opportunities, and has become a graceful artiste, and her dancing is much admired. She is an amiable young woman, and has been a favourite both in Victoria and New South Wales from early childhood. Miss Lizze Morgan has been absent from Gulgong several months. During her previous sojourn she was unremitting in her efforts to please, and succeeded in surrounding herself with a numerous circle of personal friends, besides acquiring great popularity as an actress. She possesses a sweet voice, and an arch manner, and when these combine with appropriate words and music, the effect is always irresistibly charming. It is evidence of the high estimation on in which she is held when she is always brought a second and third time before the audience by vociferous applause. Her greeting on Saturday evening was exceedingly flattering. The Combination Company at the Prince of Wales has been a success under the management of Messrs. Carey and Power. This is undoubtedly owing in a great measure to the variety of plays produced, and the perfect manner in which they have been put upon the stage. It is seldom that a provincial town has ever had the pleasure of witnessing the acting of so strong a dramatic company as this. It now consists of thirteen members, quite a number of whom are well and favourably known throughout the colonies, Messrs. E. Holloway, W. G. Carey, Harry Power. J. Hasker, J. J. Welsh, Alex. Thompson, H. A. Douglas, and C. Brown for males. For females: Mrs. E. Holloway, Madame Roland, Lizzie Morgan, Anna Millner, and Amy Chambers. If a company of this strength and varied accomplishments cannot furnish an evening of elegant entertainment, we should scarcely know where to look for one. Add to this an excellent orchestra and scenery equal to any in the colony, and the reader may then form a correct idea. On Saturday evening the house was densely crowded. The Bride of Lammermoor and Bobtail and Wagtail were the pieces, with an interlude, and the same programme was repeated last night, in which Miss Morgan sang "The Path by the River" with great effect, and was encored. Harry Douglas also sang, and Miss Chambers appeared in one of her graceful dances. Mr. J. J. Welsh sang three Irish comic songs in character, and everything passed off most admirably.
For some nights past, Mr. Morton Tavares and Miss Surtees have been playing before a Gulgong audience at the Theatre Royal, and certainly did not receive that amount of patronage one might expect. This was in a great measure caused by the increased price of admission, but, as they have since been lowered to the old figure, we may expect to see bumper houses. The Panopticon has been exhibiting in Herbert-street during the week to fair houses, and it is really very good. The mechanical figures are excellent, and the scenery very natural. The singing of Mr. Brown was very comic — rather so — that sort of singing that would make a man step outside and have five minutes intermission; and I think the manager is standing very much in his own light in not doing away with this part of the entertainment. Certainly, no person of respectability would invite a female to a place when such low songs are sung.
FOR SALE - WARD'S TURF HOTEL with THEATRE ROYAL, at GULGONG, the best country house in New South Wales. To be sold on terms on account of leaving the colony. For particulars apply to M. WARD, Gulgong, or, CHURCH and HILLS, King-street
* "Leaving the colony" may have been a euphemism for, or simply a consequence of, being insolvent, a fact that was recorded on the property transfer documents.
1873 - TO LET
THEATRE Johnsons, late Wards's Theatre Royal, Gulgong, RENT FREE. Early application is invited.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Thu 18 Dec 1873 Page 8_____________________________________________
A wire to the Sydney press says:-"At the Theatre Royal, Gulgong, on Saturday night, Mr. Henry Willis, revenue tariffist, addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting. The candidate was frequently applauded throughout a long speech, and a unanimous vote of confidence was carried.
Cheers for Mr. Reid and Mr. Willis were given. A large number of ladies were present."
A very fine programme is arranged for Monday (to-night) in the Theatre Royal, Gulgong. The effort is to increase the building fund of the new Presbyterian Church. The best talent of Mudgee and Gulgong
are assisting.
