Cirrus@Austlit

A report on a disturbance at the Theatre Royal, Sydney. Members of the audience took exception to remarks made in a letter purportedly written by a member of the company, Mr M. Munyard, to a friend in England and heckled the actor. An extract from the letter is published in the column. The extract reads in part '... I wrote you a letter some time since, in which I stated that I had joined the Sydney Theatre under the name of Munyard, and that I was playing leading business at a salary of £3 per week. How shall I express myself now when I tell you that my salary is increased, and that I am the Kean of New South Wales. I have often said that all I wanted was an opportunity to prove what I could do. In London I am aware that it is not a very respectable calling, but in this Country of Thieves and Vagabonds you would be astonished how my society is courted.'

According to the author of the column, probably William Kerr, the offending remarks are 'distinguishable ... more for the preposterous vanity of the [writer of the remarks] than for any other quality'.