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appearance. The music selected afforded great satisfaction to the audience and was really very well performed. The violin solos by a gentleman Amateur of the place were most deservedly encored. Indeed we fancy few home concerts could show anything of the same sort much better. Amateur concerts we are sure rarely could".
23.2.1865 (Thur)
Concert by Signor Enrico Grossi, assisted by Messrs Desvachez and Terry, and the Rhenish Band.
Th: Astor House Hotel
R: All professional artists performed without any government subsidies so they had every reason to look forward to as large an audience as possible. Signor GROSSI evidently was a freemason for the Commercial Record reported that "his masonic relations produced for him a full house" (SCR 8.3.1865). Freemasonry, which had been introduced in Shanghai in 1849, was rather widespread among the (male) foreign residents and the brethren who had turned up rewarded Sr GROSSI's "efforts to please by frequent bursts of applause" (NCH 25.2.1865). No details of the programme were given.
14.3.1865 (Tue)
Concert in aid of the Shanghai Volunteer Club fund.
Th: Shanghai Club
R: RCH 18.3.1865
21.3.1865 (Tue)
J. COURTNEY: "Time Tries All" (1848)
T: Drama (2 acts)
J.M. MORTON: "To Paris and back for $5" (1853)
T: Farce (1 act)
C: Amateurs of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps
Th: Lyceum Theatre (1)
N: First performance of the season
R: Not unexpectedly the Herald thought it "needless to descant here upon the merits and talents of the Company" (NCH 25.3.1865). The same pieces had been given on May 15, 1860.
23.3.1865 (Thur)
M. BARNETT: "The Serious Family" (1849)
T: Comedy (3 acts)
J.R. PLANCHE: "The Invisible Prince" (1846)
T: Extravaganza (1 act)
C: Lewis' Australian Drama Company
Th: Lyceum Theatre
R: Lewis' Australian Drama Company had come back to Shanghai in early March (NCH 11.3.1865) for a second season of farce and comedy, but owing to difficulties in reaching an agreement with the Lyceum Theatre about the rent that was to be paid, the first night took place only on March 23 (NCH 18.3.1865). For the members of the Company see Survey; most of them appeared on the first night in The Serious Family. According to the Commercial Record (25.3.1865) "the acting was very equal throughout and the admirable manner in which the different actors and actresses assisted one another contributed largely to their success" - which seems to be a rather meaningless comment. The Invisible Prince, too, was put on the stage effectively and the mise en scene was very good.
27.3.1865 (Mon)
W.B. GILL: "Which is Which?"
T: Farce
L...