Convicted of stealing and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, Ralph Tolano was transported from London to the colony of New South Wales SW in 1837. He later established himself as a businessman in the Bathurst region before moving to Sydney in 1856 where he became the publican of several hotels, including Tolano’s Hotel (adjoining the Prince of Wales Theatre). After the complex burned down in 1860 he briefly leased the Royal Lyceum Theatre before taking over the Royal Victoria Theatre for many years. His first big success as a producer was the 1861 season by US actor Joseph Jefferson.
[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]
