177
'Tis not in mortals to command success
89
And that the actors had in general nothing to fear from the public has already been shown and is testified once more by a contemporary: "The scenery was rude, the action imperfect, but a good-natured audience showed that charity which covers a multitude of sins and seldom failed to enjoy themselves".
V. The Theatres
90
The localities in which all performances took place were adorned with high-sounding names like the Theatre Royal, the New Theatre Royal, the Olympic Theatre or the Lyceum Theatre. And though it is evident that in this way it was hoped to conjure up visions of their namesakes in the British capital, realities were quite different. It was only in 1867 that a theatre worthy of the name was opened in Shanghai; it was called the Lyceum Theatre, like its predecessor. But that was, as all the ones that went before, a mere refitted and redecorated warehouse, or, to use the local term, godown. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to trace the vicissitudes of these "Thespian Temples".
As was the case with the theatrical companies that were formed anew every season, the "pretty little theatres" too had to be rented each year. This did not mean, however, that the buildings changed all the time; on more than one occasion the same godown was used for several seasons. Yet it is difficult to get a clear picture because the information given in the local paper is often very scanty with respect to addresses; in fact, in only one instance has a road been named, so one has to rely on other sources in order to establish the location of the theatres.
A.
Seasons 1850-1851 and 1851-1852: The Theatre Royal or New Theatre Royal (both names were used). No address can be fixed. For the opening performance of the season 1851-1852, on January 26, 1852, the theatre had been "tastefully refitted and decorated; a very pretty drop scene of the Port of Leghorn added". The painters were active this season, for on the evening of March 24 "a new drop scene of the Bay of Naples adorned the proscenium". The previous one had been "transferred to decorate the walls of the theatre". Furthermore, it was contemplated to "paint a series of Italian scenery and in due time the whole theatre will...