. The boy travellers in Australasia : adventures of two youths in a journey to the Sandwich, Marquesas, Society, Samoan and Feejee islands, and through the colonies of New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. ^ astrolling company, which was making the rounds of the interior townsof Australia in the same way that American companies go on theroad during the dramatic season. The acting was good, and the com-pany included several players who were not unknown in New York andother American cities. The youths had already noted the fact that Australia is a fav
. The boy travellers in Australasia : adventures of two youths in a journey to the Sandwich, Marquesas, Society, Samoan and Feejee islands, and through the colonies of New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. ^ astrolling company, which was making the rounds of the interior townsof Australia in the same way that American companies go on theroad during the dramatic season. The acting was good, and the com-pany included several players who were not unknown in New York andother American cities. The youths had already noted the fact that Australia is a favoriteresort of members of the dramatic profession of England and the UnitedStates; a considerable number of the men and women well known tothe foot-lights of English-speaking countries have at one time or an-other appeared on the boards of Melbourne and Sydney. Austrahansare fond of the drama, and there are few cities in the world that can becounted on for a more liberal patronage of good plays and good play-ers, in proportion to their population, than the principal cities of thegreat southern continent. From one of the books in his possession Frank drew the followinginteresting bit of theatrical history : AN INTERESTING PKOLOGUE. 445. GALLERY OF A THEATRE DURING A The first theatrical representation ever given in Australia was atSydney, in 1796. The play was The Eanger, performed by a companyof amateurs, all of whom were convicts. The manager was also a con-vict. An admission fee of one shilling was demanded, and the Governorand his staff were graciouslv invited to free seats. Coin being scarcein the colony, a shillings worth of flour or rum was accepted in lieu ofmoney. The convict who plaj^-ed Filch recited the prologue, and wasprobably its author. It ran as follows : From distant lands, oer wide-spread seas we come,But not with much eclat or beat of patriots all, for, be it understood,We left our country for our countrys good !No private views disgr
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