AustLit

The author, probably William Kerr the Sydney Gazette's theatre critic, criticises the selection of plays for the 3 May 1838 performances at the Royal Victoria Theatre. The author writes that 'the pieces selected for representation on Thursday night, when the sons of St. Patrick patronize the theatre, are the Merchant of Venice, and the Irish Tutor[Richard Butler, 1822]. We confess we are somewhat surprised at the choice though we know not with whom it rested. The latter piece may be appropriate enough for the occasion, but the first piece is so very hackneyed, and withal so indifferently placed, that we cannot compliment the selector, whoever he may be, on his choice.' The author continues with adverse comment on the abilities of Sydney, New South Wales actors in the plays and recommends that the plays Married Life [John Baldwin Buckstone, 1834] and Paddy's Wedding (the latter probably a ballad by Charles Dibdin the Elder) be performed instead.

An advertisement for performance at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, of 'the Comedy in 3 Acts, called Married Life', [John Baldwin Buckstone,1834] and 'the Serious Drama, in 3 Acts, called Therese, or, The Orphan of Geneva', [Henri Joseph Brahaim Ducange Victor, translated and adapted for the English stage by John Howard Payne, 1821].

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Advertisement for: Performances on 3 February 1838 of: 'first night of the Revival of the Burlesque Burletta of Othello Trevestie [sic], with all the Original Music, as performed with unbounded success at the London Theatres' and the 'Comedy, in Three Acts, entitled Married Life' [John Baldwin Buckstone,1834].

Advertisement for performance at the Theate Royal, Sydney on 24 March 1838 of: ‘the Farce in one Act, entitled The Lady and the Devil’ [William Dimond, 1820];’A Favorite Song [performed] by Mrs [Anne] Clarke’; ‘To conclude with (by particular desire), the Comedy in three Acts, called,Married Life’ [John Baldwin Buckstone, 1834].

Advertisement for: Performance on 3 March 1838 of: ‘Buckstone's favorite Comedy, in three Acts, entitled,Married Life’ [John Baldwin Buckstone, 1834]; and ‘for the first time at half-price, the serious drama, in two Acts, called Maurice the Woodcutter’ [Charles A. Somerset, 1829].