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seamen's boarding houses and did not welcome pious competition, Rather than lease it to the Bishop he preferred to turn it into a sail-loft. However, the meeting at the City Hotel to revive interest in drama raised enough money by subscription to lease the building for another season.
The building was to be used not only as a theatre, but as a venue for Balls, meetings and other public purposes, but further funds were needed for refurbishing the building which had fallen into disrepair through infrequent use and the natural effect of time. The newly formed Theatrical Committee reported that “the interior will require repainting, and considerable alteration in seats. The roof ought to be lined with wood. This would improve appearance and acoustics. The stage should be lengthened by carrying it back some twelve or fourteen feet". The Committee also reported that they had been successful in securing a group of amateurs who agreed to perform on the condition that tickets be issued gratis, "so as to secure attendance alone of the respectable portion of the community". This stipulation suggests that the earlier efforts of amateurs may have failed because rowdies had taken over and driven away audiences.
Although the season got off to a good start, there was not sufficient financial support to sustain it. No more performances are reported in the Theatre. The last notice I have found of the building is in 1859 when an auction was advertised at the “Old Theatre next to the Oriental Hotel".
PORTUGUESE AND GERMANS
Through the years notices of performances by Portuguese amateurs appear. The first mention is in 1847 for a production at the "Theatro da Sociedade" at which music was provided by the visiting Macao Band. In 1852 the "Theatrino Particular" on Wellington Street announced a performance of Portuguese amateurs. One of the pieces presented was by young boys aged between eight and fifteen. The next year the boys performed in the Victoria Theatre under the direction of the schoolmaster, Mr. J.J. da Silva e Souza. As an entre-act four young girls performed a Spanish dance, the "Guarrache”.
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seamen's boarding houses and did not welcome pious competition, Rather than lease it to the Bishop he preferred to turn it into a sail-loft. However, the meeting at the City Hotel to revive interest in drama raised enough money by subscription to lease the building for another season.
The building was to be used not only as a theatre, but as a venue for Balls, meetings and other public purposes, but further funds were needed for refurbishing the building which had fallen into disrepair through infrequent use and the natural effect of time. The newly formed Theatrical Committee reported that “the interior will require repainting, and considerable altera- tion in seats. The roof ought to be lined with wood. This would improve appearance and acoustics. The stage should be lengthened by carrying it back some twelve or fourteen feet". The Committee also reported that they had been successful in securing a group of amateurs who agreed to perform on the condi- tion that tickets be issued gratis, "so as to secure attendance alone of the respectable portion of the community". This stipulation suggests that the earlier efforts of amateurs may have failed because rowdies had taken over and driven away audiences.
Although the season got off to a good start, there was not sufficient financial support to sustain it. No more performances are reported in the Theatre. The last notice I have found of the building is in 1859 when an auction was advertised at the “Old Theatre next to the Oriental Hotel".
PORTUGUESE AND GERMANS
Through the years notices of performances by Portuguese amateurs appear. The first mention is in 1847 for a production at the "Theatro da Sociedade" at which music was provided by the visiting Macao Band. In 1852 the "Theatrino Particular" on Wellington Street announced a performance of Portuguese amateurs. One of the pieces presented was by young boys aged between eight and fifteen. The next year the boys performed in the Victoria Theatre under the direction of the schoolmaster, Mr. J.J. da Silva e Souza. As an entre-act four young girls per- formed a Spanish dance, the "Guarrache”.
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