Adaptation of The Poor of New York Dion Boucicault , 1857 single work drama
Issue Details: First known date: 1863... 1863 The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

An adaptation of Dion Boucicault's The Poor of New York (1857). The localisations included references to a Melbourne institution's recent bankruptcy. 'Indeed,' writes the Argus' theatre critic, 'the first villain, a most pernicious one, is made to assume the name of John Carrier, a bank manager, who by a thousand references in the language of the play is understood to represent an official in connexion with the institution to which we have already alluded'. The review goes on to record : 'This individual's clerk is a clever rascal, who after abetting his employer in all his scoundrelism, and living on the profits, suddenly turns a sort of Queen's evidence, and reads his master a high moral lesson before committing him to the police' (8 September 1863, p5).

Production Details

  • 1863: Royal Princess's Theatre, Melbourne ; 7 - 11 September. Scenic Art Mr Tannett. - Cast incl. John Edouin, George Fawcett [Rowe], Julia Edouin, Rose Edouin, W. B. Gill, Mrs W. B. Gill, Mr Keogh, Mr Carter, Lizzy Naylor.
  • This entry has been sourced from on-going historical research into Australian-written music theatre being conducted by Dr Clay Djubal.

    Details have also been derived in part from the Annotated Calendar of Plays Premiered in Australia: 1850-1869 (q.v.).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Princess's Theatre 1863 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 8 September 1863; (p. 5)

— Review of The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute W. M. Akhurst , 1863 single work drama
Princess's Theatre 1863 single work review
— Appears in: Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle , 12 September 1863; (p. 2)

— Review of The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute W. M. Akhurst , 1863 single work drama
Royal Princess's Theatre 1863 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 8 September 1863; (p. 5)

— Review of The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute W. M. Akhurst , 1863 single work drama
Royal Princess's Theatre 1863 single work review
— Appears in: The Argus , 8 September 1863; (p. 5)

— Review of The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute W. M. Akhurst , 1863 single work drama
Princess's Theatre 1863 single work review
— Appears in: Bell's Life in Victoria and Sporting Chronicle , 12 September 1863; (p. 2)

— Review of The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute W. M. Akhurst , 1863 single work drama
Princess's Theatre 1863 single work review
— Appears in: The Age , 8 September 1863; (p. 5)

— Review of The Poor of Melbourne ; Or, The Improvident Institute W. M. Akhurst , 1863 single work drama
Last amended 24 Aug 2017 15:47:52
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