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The ground had been originally purchased from the Government as a speculative venture by one of Hong Kong's early entrepreneurs, George Duddell. His name is perpetuated in Duddell Street.
THE VICTORIA THEATRE
Duddell sold the southern half of the lot in March 1846 to the Trustees of the Hong Kong Theatrical Company. They were John Cairns, editor of the Hong Kong Register, Robert Strachan, a small-scale merchant, and Edward Farncomb, Hong Kong's first enrolled solicitor. Two years later, after the building was erected, the Trustees had to convey the lot back to Duddell due to financial difficulties.
The new theatre was described as "large and well adapted to the climate, it affords good accommodations both for the dispensers of the drama and the audiences". It was named the Victoria Theatre.
The first performance in the new building was on 1 November 1848 under the patronage of H.E. Governor Bonham. The announcement stated that "The Proprietors of the above Theatre, having received assistance from a few young Gentlemen, lovers of the Drama, whose desire is to add to the few amusements of the Colony; the Public are respectfully invited to witness their feeble efforts at an Amateur performance". The programme consisted of "the popular farce, 'The Weathercock', to be succeeded by a comic song, the whole concludes with the Farce, 'The Rival Valets'". Newspaper reviews reported that the Theatre was "well ventilated and brilliantly lighted in short the arrangements and decorations throughout reflect the highest credit on the manager".
Unfortunately the Governor was unable to be present due to a recent injury. The reporter remarked that this was "a circumstance to which doubtless is attributable the absence of a number of fair colonists, who would have otherwise graced the occasion. Nevertheless the house was filled with an audience of highest respectability”.
"Respectable" audiences were necessary to make the venture
221
The ground had been originally purchased from the Government as a speculative venture by one of Hong Kong's early entre- peneurs, George Duddell. His name is perpetuated in Duddell Street.
THE VICTORIA THEATRE
Duddell sold the southern half of the lot in March 1846 to the Trustees of the Hong Kong Theatrical Company. They were John Cairns, editor of the Hong Kong Register, Robert Strachan, a small-scale merchant, and Edward Farncomb, Hong Kong's first enrolled solicitor. Two years later, after the building was erected, the Trustees had to convey the lot back to Duddell due to financial difficulties.
The new theatre was described as "large and well adapted to the climate, it affords good accommodations both for the dis- pensers of the drama and the audiences". It was named the Victoria Theatre.
The first performance in the new building was on 1 November 1848 under the patronage of H.E. Governor Bonham. The announcement stated that "The Proprietors of the above Theatre, having received assistance from a few young Gentlemen, lovers of the Drama, whose desire is to add to the few amusements of the Colony; the Public are respectfully invited to witness their feeble efforts at an Amateur performance". The programme consisted of "the popular farce, "The Weathercock', to be succeeded by a comic song, the whole concludes with the Farce, "The Rival Valets'". Newspaper reviews reported that the Theatre was "well ventilated and brilliantly lighted in short the arrangements and decorations throughout reflect the highest credit on the manager".
Unfortunately the Governor was unable to be present due to a recent injury. The reporter remarked that this was "a circumstance to which doubtless is attributable the absence of a number of fair colonists, who would have otherwise graced the occasion. Nevertheless the house was filled with an audience of highest respectability”.
"Respectable" audiences were necessary to make the venture
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