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.

Advertisement for performance at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, on 3 May 1838 ‘Under the distinguished Patronage of the Sons of St Patrick’ of William Shakespeare's 'Play in 5 Acts, entitled The Merchant of Venice' and 'the Farce, called The Irish Tutor'.

Advertisement for performance at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, on 19 April 1838 of: ‘Buckstone’s comedy in 3 Acts, called Married Life’; ‘After which, for the first time in this Colony, the favorite Drama, from the pen of Thomas Haynes Bailey, Esq., as performed at Madame Vestis' Royal Olympic Theatre, called The Daughter’; ‘To conclude with, the first time this Season, the Comic Piece called The Irish Tutor, or New Lights.

The advertisement lists a dance to be performed and includes a list of the actors, and the names of the characters they portray, for each play.

Advertisement for a performance at the Royal Victoria Theatre, Sydney, on 7 July 1838 of the 'Comic Entertainment, called The Irish Tutor', the 'laughable Farce, called The Married Rake' and 'Colman's Play, entitled the Iron Chest'.

The Empire comments briefly on the 7 December 1868 Prince of Wales Opera House production of James Robinson's Planche's Loan of a Lover and Richard Butler's The Irish Tutor; or, New Lights. (The latter was not mentioned in advertisements for the 7 December programme.)