AustLit

Buggins ruminates on a recent instance of sectarianism in Sydney before turning his attention to the Irish-born playwright Dion Bouciault (Senior). Buggins contends that Boucicault's Foul Play (first performed at the Holburn Theatre, London, on 28 May 1868) bears marked similarities to the French play Le Portefeuille Rougge. Buggins observes that Boucicault has lately complained that other writers have been 'making use of the plots of his dramas'. Surely, says Buggins, Boucicault 'could not have been engaged at the very time of filching' from the works of others.

Lastly, Buggins provides a general round-up of Sydney amusements from the previous week, noting particularly the productions at the Prince of Wales Opera House including Thomas William Roberton's Caste, John Augustin Daly's Under the Gaslight and, especially, John Oxenford's East Lynne.

Buggins comments on the news that Queen Victoria will bestow Imperial honours on the mayors of towns visited by H. R. H. Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, during his visit to the colonies.

Buggins then turns his thoughts to the theatre observing that 'there has been very little this week in the way of amusements'. He does, however, write at some length about the production of Robert P. Whitworth's The Derby Day and notes the performances of John Maddison Morton's Your Life in Danger and the upcoming revival of John Oxenford's East Lynne.

'Buggins' comments on several social and religious matters before turning his attention to current productions at the Royal Victoria Theatre. 'Buggins' writes in some detail about the production of John Oxenford's East Lynne and notes the performances of Under the Gaslight and Octoroon.

'Buggins' chides William Hoskins for the length of each nightly performance: 'I believe if Mr. Hoskins arranged his performances so that they terminated by eleven o'clock his business would greatly improve. Fancy East Lynn [sic] and a three act drama in one night – it is simply absurd. Why not announce Macbeth, to be followed by Julius Caesar, and conclude with a Farce.'

An advertisement for the Royal Victoria Theatre production of George Henry Lewes' The Game of Speculation and Charles Zachary Barnett's Six Degrees of Crime on 13 June 1868; of John Oxenford's East Lynne and Douglas William Jerrold's Mutiny at the Nore on 15 June 1868; and advance notice of the 'active preparation' of H. J. Byron's Pilgrim of Love.