Opera House (1879-1900)

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Opera House (1879-1900)

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Venue	Opera House (1879-1900)
Other Names	Grand Opera House New Opera House Kelly and Leon's Opera House
Address	King Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
First Date	26 December 1879
Last Date	19 February 1900
Notes	On southern side of King Street just west of the York Street corner. Theatre was on first floor. Converted to Clothing store and factory March 1900.
Related Venues	Also known as Imperial Opera House Also known as Kelly and Leon's Opera House Also known as New Opera House
Map
Latitude \| Longitude	-33.868628 \| 151.206398
Events	Date Contributor Organisation
	VENUE CLOSED, 24 March 1900 Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 Hamilton's Boer War, 1 January 1900 Impulse, 5 December 1898 Love's Sacrifice, 1 November 1894 Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Moustique, 2 July 1889 The Beggar Student, 3 June 1889 Another New First Part, 25 January 1888 Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 My Sweetheart, January 1887 Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 The Man in Possession, 5 December 1885 La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 Busybody, 4 October 1884 An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 The Shaughraun, 23 August 1884 The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Les Manteaux Noirs, 11 July 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Fatinitza, 26 December 1882 Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880
	W. J. Wilson Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Williamson, Garner and Musgrove Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Wybert Reeve Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 J C Williamson's Opera Company Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Majeroni and Wilson's Comic Opera Company La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Alfred Dampier Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Bland Holt Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Brough Boucicault Comedy Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Criterion Comedy Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 De Grey Company An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 E. Majeroni and W. J. Wilson Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Harry Rickards' New Tivoli Minstrel & Specialty Company Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Kate Howarde Company Impulse, 5 December 1898 London Variety Company Hamilton's Boer War, 1 January 1900 Royal Comedy Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 The Alhambra Variety Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 The Royal Standard Dramatic Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 The University of Sydney, Dramatic Society (SUDS) Love's Sacrifice, 1 November 1894 Theatre Royal Dramatic Company Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887
	George Forbes - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Alfred Boothman - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Edouin Bryer - Actor The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Alfred Clint - Scenic Artist Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 Herbert Flemming - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Maggie Knight - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Polk - Actor The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Julia A Polk - Actor, Actor and Singer The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Lily Bryer - Actor The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Marie De Grey - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 Busybody, 4 October 1884 An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 John Forde - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Frank Gerald - Actor Busybody, 4 October 1884 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Ruth Grey - Actor The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 John L Hall - Actor, Actor-Manager Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Mark Kinghorne - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 Busybody, 4 October 1884 An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Edwin Lester - Actor The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Harry Leston - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 The Shaughraun, 23 August 1884 The Strategist, 24 February 1883 D'Orsay Ogden - Actor The American, 23 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid], 1 May 1884 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Bessie Palmer - Actor Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Edwin Palmer - Actor Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Wybert Reeve - Actor Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 G Verdi - Actor and Singer, Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Howard Vernon - Actor and Singer Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Ethel Adele - Actor Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Armes Beaumont - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Matthew Brodie - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 Busybody, 4 October 1884 Marcus Clarke - Librettist, Playwright Moustique, 2 July 1889 The Man in Possession, 5 December 1885 Florence Cowell - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Lillie Forde - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Abbie Francis - Actor Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Arthur Garner - Adminstrator: Business Manager Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Richard Genee - Librettist The Beggar Student, 3 June 1889 Fatinitza, 26 December 1882 William Schwenck Gilbert - Book and Lyrics Librettist Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Paolo Giorza - Conductor Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 A T Hilton - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 Busybody, 4 October 1884 Fannie Liddiard - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Julia Merton - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Maggie Moore - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Andrea Novaro - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Alice Rees - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 T Riccardi - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Bessie Royal - Actor and Singer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Morton Selton - Actor Busybody, 4 October 1884 An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Arthur Seymour Sullivan - Composer Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Annie Taylor - Actor Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 James Cassius Williamson - Actor-Manager, Entrepreneur Patience, 1882 Patience, 26 December 1881 Ethel Adere - Actor Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Billy Akarman - MC, Stage Manager Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Pearl Akarman - Dancer Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 George Allen - Composer Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 G Rivers Allpress - Musician: Violinist Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 W E Baker - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Barrington - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Emilie Beaumont - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 T Bergin - Performer Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 A W Boothman - Actor The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Dion Boucicault - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Dion Boucicault - Playwright The Shaughraun, 23 August 1884 Nina Boucicault - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Briggs - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 W G Broadhurst - Musical Arranger King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 Fred Broughton - Playwright Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 James Brunton Stephens - Librettist Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 Procida Bucalossi - Composer Les Manteaux Noirs, 11 July 1883 Harry Burton - Musical Director Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 J Caesar - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Leon Caron - Conductor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Alfred Dampier - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Lily Dampier - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Fred Dark - Performer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Julie Davies - Actor and Singer Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 A Davis - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 John Deeble - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Olly Deering - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 H N Douglas - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Duff - Actor For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Ethel Eastwood - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Hugh J Emmett - Actor The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Arthur Farley - Performer Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Nelly Fernleigh - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Emma Fischer - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 M Fischer - Actor For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 M Fisher - Actor Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 John Ford - Playwright Love's Sacrifice, 1 November 1894 Warwick Gainor - Performer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 F Gerard - Actor Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 Gilmore - End Man Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Gladstone - Actor For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Glendenning - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Goddard - Musical Director Busybody, 4 October 1884 Guine - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Jenny Gwynne - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Martyn Hagan - Stage Manager Another New First Part, 25 January 1888 Andrew Halliday - Playwright For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Charles Harding - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 James Harvey - End Man Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Maud Hewson - Actor and Singer Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 Walter Hill - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Walter Hill - Actor An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Hilton - Actor An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Sebastian Hodge - Musician: Saxophonist Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Edmund Holloway - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Bronson Howard - Playwright Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 Samuel Howard - Entrepreneur King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 Alice Howard Vernon - Actor and Singer Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 Kate Howarde - Actor-Manager Impulse, 5 December 1898 Walter Howe - Recitationer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Charles Huenerbein - Musical Director Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 James - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Blanche James - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 J Johnston - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 B N Jones - Director Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 N B Jones - Actor, Stage Manager The American, 23 May 1884 Keenan - Comic Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Myra Kemble - Actor An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Henri Kowalski - Composer Moustique, 2 July 1889 Gustav Kuster - Musical Director For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 A H Laurence - Actor An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Lawler - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Charles Lecocq - Composer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Jennie Lee - Actor The Shaughraun, 23 August 1884 John Leete - Adminstrator: Business Manager Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Blanche Leopold - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 George Leopold - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Lola Leslie - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Blanche Lewis - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Docy Mainwaring - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 A Maitland - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Marion Melrose - Actor The Strategist, 24 February 1883 Paul Merritt - Playwright Stolen Kisses, 1 December 1883 W H Metcalfe - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Carl Millocker - Composer The Beggar Student, 3 June 1889 Agnes Montague - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Albert Moynham - Comic Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Mr Hutchins - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Fred Norris - End Man Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Maggie Oliver - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Grace Otway - Actor An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Walter Parke - Librettist Les Manteaux Noirs, 11 July 1883 Harry Paulton - Librettist Les Manteaux Noirs, 11 July 1883 Gracie Plaisted - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Harry Power - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Amy Pryce - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 James H Rainford - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 T H Rainford - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Locke Richardson - Reciter Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Harry Rickards - Actor and Singer, Entrepreneur Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Kate Rickards - Dancer Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Arthur Rodney - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 William Rosevear - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Katherine Russell - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Frances Saville - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Annetta Scasi - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Luscombe Searelle - Conductor La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Morton Selten - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 J R Setright - Scenic Artist King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 William Shakespeare - Playwright Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Simmons - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Joseph Simmons - Stage Director King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 Florence Slater - Dancer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Theyre Smith - Playwright Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883 James South - Stage Director King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 F C Spencer - Singer Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Lillian Stanbridge - Performer Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 S Stanley - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 Joe Stark - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Carrie Stewart - Actor Busybody, 4 October 1884 Percy Stuart - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Carrie Sulman - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 J W Sweeney - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 A W Tasman - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Tom Taylor - Playwright An Unequal Match, 20 September 1884 Thompson - Actor Across the Continent, 2 January 1886 George S Titheradge - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 R Tolano - Stage Director King of the Tranquil Valley, and Brutus, the Tyrant; or Harlequin Corin and the Princess Carpillona, 27 December 1880 Stella Tudor - Performer Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 Robert Vernon - Actor An Arabian Night [or Haroun al Raschid and his Mother-in-Law]], 8 September 1883 Franz von Suppe - Composer Fatinitza, 26 December 1882 Carrie Walker - Actor and Singer La Fille de Madame Angot, 10 January 1885 Watson - Actor For Love or Money, 20 October 1883 Jenny Watt-Tanner - Actor Trial Scene from The Merchant of Venice / Olio / Written in Sand, 11 August 1887 Frank H Weekes - Actor and Singer Fayette, or Bush Revels, 17 February 1900 J P West - Actor Woman Against Woman, 11 October 1884 Harry Williams - End Man Mr Harry Rickards and his New Tivoli Minstrel & Speciality Company, 1 December 1892 William John Wilson - Scenic Artist Hurricanes [and Theyre Smith's "Uncle's Will"], 3 November 1883
Resources	Article: Amusements, Evening News, 27 November 1880, 5 Article: Amusements. Opera House., Sydney Morning Herald, 24 June 1881, 3 Article: Improvements to the Opera House, Evening News, 13 April 1881, 3 Article: John West, Sydney's other Opera House, On Stage, 13, 1, 2012, 12-14 Article: Kelly and Leon's New Opera House, The Daily Telegraph, 20 December 1879, 5 Music and the Drama. At home and abroad., The Daily Telegraph, 9 August 1890, 9 Long after there was a known and obvious demand for such buildings, Sydney lagged far behind smaller cities in other parts of the world in the size and number of its play-houses and concert rooms. How much this was the case may be realised by the fact that four or five years ago the Opera House was second in importance only to the Theatre Royal, whilst amateurs of music regarded the Old Masonic-hall as a place of fashionable resort. The opening of the Criterion Theatre, Christmas 1886, and of Her Majesty's the following September, put a different face upon affairs, whilst the erection of the Y.M.C.A.-hall was another important step in the right direction. Still it was felt that Sydney was woefully behind in providing accommodation for the leading choral societies. The completion of the New Masonic-hall did little to improve the situation, not only from its out-of-the-way position, but because its proportions were too nearly the same as the Protestant and other existing halls. For gatherings of 2000 people and upwards the Exhibition Building came into vogue, its glaring inconveniences serving as a standing protest against wearisome delay in the completion of the Town-hall. Quite lately the Halle concerts have opened the eyes of those most interested to the fact that for two years past they have had lying idle a fine property in the Wesleyan Centenary-hall, which supplies the need of a chamber for extraordinary concert purposes as it is larger than its rivals and yet not so vast as the hall to be opened this afternoon. To-day's ceremony will give a great stimulus to musical enterprise, and will place Sydney in its proper relative position in the matter of concert-room accommodation. What has been done for musical amateurs will shortly be done for playgoers. Mr. J. F. Scholer, the proprietor, and Mr. F E. Hiscocks, the lessee, announce that they will open their new house in Castlereagh-street at the end of the year. At first rumor had it that they had named their house " The Princess's," but better counsels prevailed and everyone will approve of " The Imperial Theatre." It will be opened about the same time as the Imperial Arcade, and both places will act and re-act upon each other in locating in the public mind these additions to the city. In the meantime Messrs. Backhouse and Laidley are preparing plans for a theatre in Pitt-street to be called the " Bijou." The choice of title, if indeed it be chosen, shows a strange lack of originality and independence of thought. Surely, with a score of time-honored names available, the mistake of slavishly following Melbourne, and of borrowing a French word in order to do so, may be avoided. The title should be one that will be peculiar to Sydney as against the other Australian capitals. Suppose that instead of reduplicating the names of Melbourne theatres ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ Theatre Royal, Opera House, Princess's and Bijou TheatresÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ the new play-house be named the Globe, the Shakespeare, the Garrick, the Nugget, the Folly or the Carrington? The names are legion which would be preferable to the appellation at present suggested. Article: Music and the Drama. At home and abroad., The Daily Telegraph, 9 August 1890, 9 Musical and Dramatic Notes, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 December 1896, 5 With the newly-opened Palace Theatre there are now nine playhouses in Sydney, of which number only two will remain closed this evening. The curious feature in the local record is that all the chief theatres have been erected during the past 10 years. The exceptions are the Gaiety Theatre, which is also known as the Guild Hall, and the Opera House, which, unfortunately for its prospenty, stands in the quarter now entirely devoted to the wholesale warehouses. The Opera House was vastly improved under Messrs Majeroni and Wilson's management in the middle of 1884, when the flat ceiling was replaced by a cupola, and the theatre was then reopened with considerable Ã©clat (30th June) with a revival of "Marie Antoinette," by Signor and Signora Majeroni. The present Theatre Royal occupies the oldest theatrical site in the city. The Prince of Wales Theatre stood there in 1854, was utterly destroyed by fire in 1860, was again demolished in 1872, and being rebuilt as the Theatre Royal was burnt a third time on 17th June, 1892. Mrs Bernard Beere had been playing " London Assurance" only a few hours previously. Only a portion of the outer walls were left standing, and the present building has only been in existence since Miss Clara Merivale's appearance in "Falka" at Christmas, 1892. The Criterion Theatre was opened with Miss Emilie Melville in " Falka," which was not played again for six years, at Christmas, I886. However, in anticipation of the Brough-Boucicault revival of "Much Ado About Nothing" (Christmas, 1892), a new face was put upon the interior, and at a cost of Â£8000 the present lofty dome was raised, the size of the stage was nearly doubled, and other structural improvements were made. The next new theatre was Her Majesty's, opened by Mr George Rignold with "Henry V" in September, 1887. This splendid theatre has suffered less damage than any other in the city. Early in 1890 the little Academy of Music was pulled down, and at Christmas of that year the Garrick Theatre was completed on the same site, and was opened by Miss Olga Nethersole and Mr Charles Cartwright with "Moths". Mr Harry Rickards acquired this property, and re-named it the Tivoli on 18th February, 1893. The opening of the Lyceum Theatre, With Miss Alice Leamar and Mr Robert Courtneidge in "Little Red Riding Hood," took place at Christmas, 1892 â a somewhat memorable date in local theatrical records. The Royal Standard Theatre was almost new when Mr Alfred Dampier was lessee in 1886 ; but no other actor-manager has flourished there, and of late years the house, like its neighbour the Gaiety, has become popular chiefly for amateur entertainments. If we glance at the history of musical enterprise in the city, we find that during much the same period the old concert halls have been displaced in favour of more central buildings. The last important occasion on which the once popular Old Masonic Hall (York-street) was used, was at the Victor Hugo Celebration Concert in 1885. The New Masonic Hall, opened in Castlereagh-street the following year, was placed a little too far away from the city, and, after the Metropolitan Liedertafel ceased to give concerts there, now some years ago, the hall fell into comparative disuse. But the eclipse of these halls and of the Protestant Hall, a once fashionable salon, where Mme Melba gave her farewell concert, was due to the erection of the elegant and central building of the Y.M.C.A. â now recognised as the favourite hall for all but the great musical functions. The inconvenient Exhibition Building almost faded out of existence when the completed Town Hall was opened on the 27th November, 1889. Mr Charles Santley was the first solo singer to appear there â the occasion being his farewell concert on the 30th November of that year. Just a year earlier, the completion of the York-street Centenary Hall furnished concert-goers with another rendezvous, which has continued to be frequently used up to the present time. In June, 1892, the Oddfellows' Temple was opened, and just two years ago the list of concert rooms was increased by the erection of the Manchester Unity Hall. Thus we see that not only all the present theatres of the city, but also all the concert halls have been erected during the past 10 or 12 years, which fact, all things considered, forms a decidedly curious feature in the theatrical and musical history of Sydney. Article: Musical and Dramatic Notes, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 December 1896, 5 Article: Ross Thorne, Sydney’s Lost Theatres, Theatre Australia, 4, 1 and 2, August 1979, 14-15, 13-14 Law Report: Royal Commission into the Construction of Theatres, Public Halls, and Other Places of Public Amusements or Concourse, NSW Parliamentary Papers, Parliament of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australasian Legal Information Institute, 1887 (v1 - First Session) [1886] NSWRoyalC 5, 2 December 1886, 149-201 Map: City of Sydney, 1903 Map 1, City of Sydney Archives, 1903 Photograph: Kelly and Leon's Opera House/The Imperial Opera House, Wikipedia Websites / Online media: Sydney Architecture - Opera House, Sydney Architecture
Data Set	AusStage
Venue Identifier	15302

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