Document. Four page flyer with pink cover advertising Miss Tittell Brune in ''Leah Kleschno'' and ''Merely Mary Ann'', Royal Princess Theatre.performing arts, elocution, theatre

Document. Brown paper theatre program advertising Mr J.C.Williamson's Musical Company in ''The Runaway Girl'' and ''San Boy'' 1903. Royal princess Theatre, Bendigo.performing arts, elocution, theatre

Document. Royal Princess Theatre Program featuring Mr Alf C. Bottoms, Mr Geo. Jennings, Little Baby Wright. August 1905. Two copies.performing arts, elocution, theatre program

Document. Two page Opera program advertising ''FAUST'' ''ORPHEUS'' ''LES CLOCHES de CORNEVILLE'', by the Students of the Bendigo Conservatorium, Royal Princess Theatre. Mr Alex Hamilton included in program.performing arts, elocution, opera program

Document. Pink program for Grand and Comic Opera performed by students of the Bendigo Conservatorium, Royal Princess Theatre ''La Traviata'' and ''Les Cloches de Corneville''. Mr Alex Hamilton included in program.performing arts, elocution, opera program

Document. Orange program for Grand and Comic Opera performed by Students of the Bendigo Conservatorium. Royal Princess Theatre, ''FAUST'', ''ORPHEUS'', ''Les Cloches De Corneville''. Mr Alex J. Hamilton included in program.performing arts, elocution, theatre program

Document. Two page concert program advertising ''Grand Complimentary Concert''. December 1906. Royal Princess Theatre. Tendered by the Citizens of Bendigo to Miss Rose O'Mahony. Mr Alex Hamilton included in program.performing arts, elocution, concert

Document. Green theatre ticket for a performance of ''MELBA'' at the Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo, on Friday Dec 19 1902. Back Gallery. Five Shillings. Name printed in purple ink on ticket '' George Musgrove''.performing arts, elocution, theatre ticket

Document. White paper bi-fold theatre program for Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. Program for ''Arabian Nights'', Monday September 29 - Friday October 10. Woods - Williamson Dramatic Co. Advertisers: S.White & Son - Cheap House Furnishers. Sydenham Gardens Hotel. Mason & Hart - Grocers. A.Frigerio - Wire Works. City family Hotel. Suttons Music Store. B.Sluyterman - Electrical Engineer. Webster Bros - Cycle Store. Atheneum Hotel L.Herman - Bicycle and Sporting Depot. Cast of characters on piece of orange paper (9 cms X 13 cms).performing arts, elocution, theatre program

A certificate in a brown glassed frame presented by the RSL and Citizens of Victoria ''Operation and Gratitude'' Appeal Committee to the patrons of the Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. July-September, 1956. There is a photo the Govenor of Victoria General Sir Dallas Brookscivic mementoes, plaques, royal princess theatre, bendigo, lydia chancellor, collection, plaque, certificate, 'operation gratitude, ' royal princess theatre' bendigo, the returned soldiers league

Teal coloured, textured fold out programme, Iolanthe or The Peer and the Peri at the Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. With the Lord Chancellor's Compliments and 'Iolanthe' printed in gold on the front. The red printing is on cream silk. It contains the names of the actors and production workers.entertainment, theatre, programme, theatre programme, iolanthe, alex j hamilton, stan horwood, w cahill, e allen bindley, roy eddy, t pritchard, miss eva crowther, miss addie campbell, miss r o'mahoney, mill lillian orchard, miss rose spargo, miss addie keating, miss florence quinn, m b sluyterman, g coulter, coulter & smith, mesdames wisby, trant, j coates, m hamburger, o g c flight, a g finster, reed & co.

Document. Red ticket for performance of ''MAMMON'', Friday September 21, 1900 at Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. ''Mr & Mrs Leighton'' printed on bottom cut edge. Newspaper clipping glued on back with a review of a concert at the Masonic Hall. Program included Mr A. Hamilton.performing arts, elocution, theatre ticket

Printed silk programme, cream coloured silk printed in red. The programme is for the Austral Literary and Debating Society's first grand annual Competitions in music, song and story. Instituted Queen's birthday 1897, to commemorate the year of Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee. Held at the Royal Princess Theatre.civic mementoes, first annual competitions, royal princess theatre, austral literary and debating society

"The theatre itself was located in a barn close to the village pond. Its location is indicated on the attached 1827 map of Hampton Wick and the Swan arrowed where tickets were to be had. The picture of Ye Swan around 1900 is probably not too dissimilar to how it would have looked in 1797. One of the regular patrons at the theatre is believed to have been William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV, uncle of Queen Victoria). The Duke lived in Bushy House about a mile away from the village and was a known devotee of theatrical entertainments. The theatre had disappeared by 1865. It would have been a touring company who were playing on the night of 3 October 1797." ( information from Ray Elmitt, historian of Hampton Wick ) The doors were to be opened at 6 to begin precisely at 7 o'clock,. Boxes were 3 shillings, Pit seats were 2 shillings and seats in the gallery were 1 shilling. Tickets could be bought at the printing office in Kingston or from Mr Ansel of Adam and Eve in Kingston or from Mr Pattenden of the Swan in Hampton Wick. "First Love" is a 1795 sentimental comedy play by the British playwright Richard Cumberland. It was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in May 1795. Frederick Mowbray becomes the protector of Sabrina Rosny after her abandoment by Lord Sensitive. The Agreeable Surprise is a 1781 comic opera to music by Samuel Arnold and a libretto by John O'Keeffe. The work in two acts was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket (London), on 3 September 1781. It was one of the most performed works of its kind in London in the last quarter of the 18th century. In England the 18th century saw the flourishing of theatre as a popular pastime. Many theatres were enlarged and new playhouses built in London and the provinces. This item was kept as a souvenir / memento and brought to Australia by an early settler.A very old program from the Richmond Company at the Theatre Hampton-Wick. It is white with black print. There are two performances - First Love and The Agreeable Surprise. There is a cast list for each. theatre hampton-wick-richmond-company

The Lyric Summer Picture gardens Theatre started in 1912 and discontinued in the early 20's.copy(?) of black and white photographHand written on back:Melbourne Suburbs St Kilda The Royal Strollers St Kilda by the Sea Annual Season 1915/19 P.126. People are outside the entrance of the Lyric Theatre, which advertises Royal Strollers. Next door, Cremorne Tea Gardens Caf�. StampedNational Library of Australia Canberra

Handwritten 'Notes' re various Bendigo buildings (no author, no date) - for a talk or article? References to: Sandhurst Brewery (Havelock Street); Bendigo Brewery (Vine Street); Mr J Armstrong; Phoenix Brewery (Vine Street); Star Brewery (Bridge Street); Shamrock Hotel; Phillip Kennedy; Vahland and Getschmann; Royal Theatre; Haymarket Theatre; Scherffs Store; Abbotts Hotel and Assembly Room; Lyceum Theatre; G A Fletcher; Moore Bros Store; Lyric Theatre; H Barrow; Campaspe Inn (Runnymede)buildings, commercial, breweries

Document. Tri-fold envelope shape program performance of ''Iolanthe''. Royal Princess Theatre. Blue textured card. Printed in gold on the front ''with the Lord Chancellor's Compliments'' ''Iolanthe''. Printed in pencil on one front cover 17.12.02. Double sheet program printed in red ink on silk. Fastened in centre with pink ribbon. Mr Alex J. Hamilton played the part of the ''Lord Chancellor''.performing arts, elocution, theatre program

"Marydale", at 2270 McIvor Hwy., Axedale, was part of the original Campaspe Plains and Axe pastoral runs. By 1857 William Heffernan(1803-1891) had purchased the property from the "Axedale Station's" Robert Ross. it's heritage listing includes the outbuildings that remain in their original format and include the summerhouse and the schoolroom. Also included in the listing are the extensive gardens of mature trees. 1. William Heffernan (1803-1891) was born in Tipparary, Ireland and came to Australia in 1853 with Mr J Crowley. Together they first went to the Heathcote goldfields before moving on to Bendigo where they initially opened a tent restaurant. This successful endeavour allowed them to purchase the Pall Mall site of the Shamrock hotel. They built their first hotel and a large hall for entertainment that was later called the Theatre Royal. They continued to grow and expand until they built the current Shamrock building. He went on to several other successful theatres and hotels before retiring to "Marydale" in 1879/80. Before moving to New Zealand in 1884/5 he sold "Marydale" to Jeremiah Heffernan. He went to NZ to manage a hotel for his newly widowed sister and then built the Pier Hotel in Dunedin. By the time of his death in Dunedin he had lost most of his fortune. 2. Jeramiah Heffernan (1831-1897) was also born in Tipparary, Ireland but was no relation to William. He came to Australia in 1854 and to Bendigo in 1855, where he was employed by William and his partner, Mr Crowley at the Shamrock Hotel in Pall Mall. Twelve months later he became the manager of Heffernan and Crowley's Rose Shamrock and Thistle Hotel at Epsom. After twelve months in this position he bought the Albert Hotel in McCrae Street, Bendigo. He was a successful businessman who later purchased the Victoria Hotel in Pall Mall before retiring in 1887,firstly to "Marydale" that he had bought from William Heffernan in the early 1880's and then to his home in St Kilda. On doctors orders he returned to "Marydale" where he died 13/5/1897.Bendigo Advertiser from 18/07/1970. Article titled "Before Bendigo was....Marydale was." by Toora. The article describes the historic homestead of Marydale at Axedale.In red pen "Bendigo Advertiser 18-7-70"marydale, axedale, historic homestead

Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo. Programme ''Iolanthe'' or the Peer and the Pearl. Main actors: Mr. Alex Hamilton, Mr. S. Horwood, Mr. W. Cahill, Mr. E. Allen Bindley, Mr. R. Eddy, Mr. Tom Pritchard, Miss Eva Crowther, Miss Rose O'Mahoney, Miss Addie Campbell, Miss Lillian Orchad, Miss Rose Spargo, Miss Addie Keating and Miss Florence Quinn.program, theatre, concert

A cream programme in the form of one sheet with coloured printing. On the front are the words, ' Parliamentary Patriotic Concert. Thursday 22nd February. 1900, Town Hall, commencing 8 o'clock. Repeated at the Royal Princess' Theatre, Bendigo, on Friday, 2nd March, 1900.' There is also extra information provided, regarding officials. Inside the programme the words to, 'The Bushman's Question,' by 'Oriel.' On the third page is the actual programme. On the back of the programme is a photo of ' Departure of 'Medic' with first contingent.' The photo is provided by Talma. Dated 1900.program, theatre, parliamentary patriotic concert, lydia chancellor, concert, entertainment, patriotism, celebration, program, programme, event, collection, war, event

A cream programme with black print. The front cover contains the words, ' The Sun News-Pictorial Top Town Contest 1952 Second Celebrity Concert Official Programme. All proceeds from the sale of this programme donated by The Sun go to assist your local charity.' Inside is the programme and the back cover has a biography of each of the 4 celebrities. Inside the programme is an insert with the words ' Sun Top Town Concert, Royal Princess Theatre Bendigo August 28th, 1952 Programme of Bendigo Artists.program, music, concert, lydia chancellor, collection, ephemera, event, entertainment, music, singing, top town contest, country towns

Twelve pages document titled: ''Theatrical traditions - stage and screen in Bendigo. The document details the history of theatres in Bendigo from the early days. Paragraphs titles are: The Shamrock Hotel, The Criterion Theatre, Abbott's Lyceum, St. James Hall, The Royal Princess Theatre, The Masonic Theatre, Open air picture Theatres, The Lyric Theatre, Plaza Theatre, Eaglehawk pictures. The Golden drive-in Picture Theatres in decline, Contemporary cinemas, Community traditions, Bendigo Regional Arts Centre, Ulumbarra Theatre. The document was prepared for the Post Office Gallery exhibition and is marked Confidential.entertainment, theatre, post office gallery

The Royal Princess Theatre, 73 View St., Bendigo, was designed by William Charles Vahland and opened on 31/8/1874. It had a capacity of 2000 and was lit by gas until 1898 when electricity became available. The original proprietors were John Croley (1827-1899) and William (Billy) Heffernan (1840-1899). It was Bendigo's first permanent picture house in 1910, with it's first showing being the silent film "The Desert Song". It closed in 1930 before reopening in 1936 after being rebuilt in the Art Deco style. The theatre was finally closed in May 1963 and was demolished.Eight pages souvenir programme. 1874-1955 Royal Princess, Bendigo. Eighty first birthday souvenir programme 31st August 1955. Manager: Don Vincent, price: sixpence, proceeds: cinematograph trade benevolent fund. There is a one-page history of the theatre by Don Vincent. The programme includes stage performances and the screening of "seven brides for seven brothers".royal princess theatre, souvenir programme, eighty first birthady, 1874-1955

JACK EMMETT COLLECTION Early 1900's Victoriana paper glossy scrap sheets cut-outs including 'Giant relief No. 895 - deer/rabbits -people animals and birds from around the world /angels -sign attached 'Gigantic Relief No.978 Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd - Christmas cut-outs / 'Giant relief No. 920 / child wearing a bonnet carrying flask and a parcel titled 'Father's Dinner ' / picture of Postman titled 'The Jolly Postman / colour enhanced photo 'The Queen's Grandchildren -Child's Own magazine 1865 '- writing on back 'Prince Frederick William born …1859 , Princess Charlott .., Prince Henry / piece of paper with brown print - 'The Kings Business -Nicholson - Hemminger United Mission - Royal Princess Theatre -Evangelistic Services showing days with corresponding lecture subjects.Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltdephemera, mementoes, raphael tuck & sons ltd / -child's own magazine 1865 ' ./ nicholson - hemminger united mission

Program for the Austral Literary and Debating Society's First Grand Annual Competitions in Music, Song and Story held at the Royal Princess Theatre. Program printed in red a creamy, silky material with a satin type finish. F. Aswel Apted, President. Arthur L. Bolton and Jtn. Smalley, Hon. Secs. Those who took part are: Northcott's Band, R Rule, A Bottoms, Flora Hill, Winifred Bishop, Vida Rogers, G Walter, G Fred Walter, A Hosking, Prof Lupton, Josephine Scott, Ralph W Brown, Lady Brassey, A B Flohm, Eathorne Rogers, T Bockelmann, Ch H King, Nellie Jeffrey, Lizzie Trevean, Ethel Osborne, Lillie Sharp and W Tinkler. Hon. Accompanist was Mr. J. H. Bryan and prizes were distributed by Lady Brassey.entertainment, concert, music, song & story, austral literary and debating society's first grand annual competitions, royal princess theatre, j h bryan, northcott's band, r rule, a bottoms, flora hill, winifred bishop, vida rogers, g walter, g fred walter, a hosking, prof lupton, josephine scott, ralph w brown, lady brassey, a b flohm, eathorne rogers, t bockelmann, ch h king, nellie jeffrey, lizzie trevean, ethel osborne, lillie sharp, w tinkler, f aswel apted, arthur l bolton, jtn smalley

Transcript: Athenaeum building celebrates 170 years Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 11/11/2009 Reporter: Lisa Whitehead Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth. Transcript KERRY O’BRIEN, PRESENTER: Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne's Athenaeum building has, in one form or another, provided education and entertainment. For the Victorian colonies it became a city and along the way documented its growth. The building's original library and theatre still draw devotees and as Lisa Whitehead reports, a loyal band of volunteers. KEVIN QUIGLEY, ATHENAEUM PRESIDENT: There's nothing like us that has been here from day one, four years after the boat pushed ashore, here we are. It's a thread that runs through the life of Melbourne. LISA WHITEHEAD, REPORTER: In the heart of Melbourne's CBD, the Athenaeum is a celebrity in disguise, the oldest cultural icon in the city, but barely noticed. MARJORIE DALVEAN, VOLUNTEER HISTORIAN: People of Melbourne walk past this area and they have no idea what it is. RAY LAWLER, PLAYWRIGHT: It seemed to me to be a place that absolutely, or breathes Melbourne, I suppose, culture. LISA WHITEHEAD: Just four years after Melbourne was founded, the colony built a Mechanic's Institution, one of the first in the world, a place where the working class could meet and learn. KEVIN QUIGLEY: People think of it as Wild West sort of place where these hearty types drank and rushed about, but Melbourne was freely settled. It was a city of people who wanted to better themselves - entrepreneurs. And the Mechanic's Institution was that innovative idea that had grown up in Edinburgh and London about providing an opportunity for education for the working people. LISA WHITEHEAD: Mark Twain lectured there. Later, other buildings were added and a theatre to host classic plays. And it adopted its more bourgeois friendly title of the Athenaeum. Crucially from the start there was the library, the first to offer affordable lending to the working man. And it still attracts devotees. Former University lecturer Margaret Bowman, 89, comes in every Wednesday, along with her dog to join an enthusiastic band of volunteers sorting through the archives. MARGARET BOWMAN, FORMER UNIVERSITY LECTURER: Doing research is something that I find actually I enjoy more than anything. Every old lady needs to have a project and now I've got a project. MARJORIE DALVEAN: Margaret, Christine has just found out that Alfred Deakin was a member here from 1874 to 1877. This place is not flashy, we've never been flashy. But book lovers walk in here and they know this is the place for them. ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE: Old times and old names. The Athenaeum theatre in Melbourne for more than 40 years has been one of the city's best known cinemas. LISA WHITEHEAD: In the 20th century, the theatre surrendered to the new craze of talking pictures, and one particular fan was famous Australian playwright Ray Lawler. At 13, he dropped out of school to work in a Footscray factory and two years later his first trip to the glamorous Athenaeum cinema hinted at the education he was missing. RAY LAWLER: It just had a style about it which I responded to, I think. I was looking for something and this seemed to be part of it. Ray Lawler went on to write "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll" and found literary fame overseas. About a century after it had started as an educational place for the working man, Ray Lawler had, in effect, become an Athenaeum graduate. RAL LAWLER: If they had been looking for the sort of person that they were hoping to encourage along the way, I suppose I would have been somebody that might have fitted the mould, you know. LISA WHITEHEAD: In time, the cinema was returned to its theatrical roots. FRANK THRING, 1977: It has a great resemblance to the Theatre Royal in Hobart which Larry Olivier has called the best theatre he's ever worked in. And it's almost identical. It is the true Victorian playhouse. The horseshoe shaped thing: stalls, dress circle and gallery. And you're close to the audience and they're close to you. Marvellous feeling. LISA WHITEHEAD: Today, it's still a theatre. But time has brought compromises. The once vaunted art gallery has now covered its windows and become a comedy club and performance space. TV and suburban life have eaten away at the library membership. It offers an online service now, and a recent federal government grant will pay for the upkeep of its gracious interior, including the 1930s elevator Ray Lawler used to ride. For him, it's money well spent on history quietly made and discreetly observed. RAY LAWLER: It's the lack of awareness, I think, that people don't know what they've got here. They've really got the whole history of Melbourne almost. KEVIN QUIGLEY: It was a similar organisation in Sydney but we are the only one that's got a continual lineage on the same spot. We started here and we're still here and we'll be here for another 100 years. KERRY O'BRIEN: Lisa Whitehead on a great Melbourne landmark. © 2010 ABC | Privacy Policy Beginning as the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution in 1839, the Melbourne Athenaeum has a long history that reflects the cultural and social development of Melbourne. It continues to be managed as a not-for-profit organisation by a volunteer board, with a subscription library (maintained since 1839) and a leased theatre.Video broadcast ABC 7:30 Report for 11/11/2009. "Tomorrow marks the 170th birthday of one of the nation's historic cultural landmarks. Melbourne’s Athenaeum building has, in one form or other, provided education and entertainment for the Victorian colony as it became a city; and along the way, documented its growth."athenaeum, australian broadcasting corporation, kerry o’brien, kevin quigley, lisa whitehead, marjorie dalvean, ray lawler, margaret bowman, frank thring.

Alexander Wright was born on 25 August, 1898 in Smeaton He was the brother of musician Frank Wright. Alex Wright was killed whilst performing at the Birmingham Empire as the result of a German air Attack in October 1940. The theatre had a direct hit. According to Frank Wright Alex was a great impersonator with a unique range Bass - tenor with many accents (not unlike Peter Dawson) "AUSTRALIAN CARUSO Smeaton Boy's Fame Andre Navarre, who left Australia about three years ago to study opera in Europe, bids fair to take a place among the world's great tenors. A few months ago Navarre sang for Melba for the first time, and she immediately acclaimed him to be a finished artist, describing his voice as the nearest approach to the immortal Caruso she had ever heard, writes the Ballarat "Courier." Andre Navarre is, however, only a stage name adopted by Alexander Wright, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William. Wright, of Armstrong street North, Ballarat, and brother of Mr. Frank Wright and Mrs. William Ritchie, of that city. Born at smeaton 31 years ago, in what may be termed a musical atmosphere; Alex. Wright showed a definite desire to sing at a very early age, and in his boyhood figured as soloist at school concerts, etc. His youth was spent around Smeaton, working at home and at various farms in the district until he was about 19 years of age, when he secured a position at the Dunlop rubber works, Melbourne. Up to this period Wright had no vocal training whatever, but being the possessor of a good resonant baritone voice, was persuaded by some of his friends to "have a go at the stage.'' Securing a position in the chorus of "Maid of the Mountains," which was at that time showing at the Theatre Royal, he soon made his voice heard to advantage, and also commenced to take lessons from Signor Robottaro. It was about this time that Wright was invited by a fellow musician to a musical evening at which a member of Rigo's grand opera company, then performing at " The Playhouse," was also present. Hearing Wright sing, the musician immediately said : ' You're a fool to waste your time in a chorus with that voice. Rigo is looking for a singer like you for the role of 'Figaro' in 'Barber of Seville'." Alex, however, did not take the remark seriously, and it was only after the numerous persuasions of friends who obviously knew the real value of his voice that the modest young man was eventually induced to meet Rigo. The Italian maestro was so delighted with the voice that without hesitation he was given the principle role of "The Barber" to study. Many singers having previously been tried and rejected for the part, Wright was astonished at his success in being chosen, and awakened suddenly to the fact by the maestro that a world voice, if properly trained, would surely develop in the young artist, Alex at once settled down to study, and all day long in his boarding house at St. Kilda could be heard rehearsing his new role. In less than a month he had completely mastered the part, and on the opening night, in the exacting role of "The Barber," he was an outstanding success. Later, he toured Australia with many leading artists, including Elsa Stralia and Harry Lauder, and spent his last two years in Sydney, where he was engaged as soloist in the biggest picture house. Realising that a training in Italy and on the Continent was essential for a successful operatic singer, the young artist decided to go overseas to continue his studies. He did not leave Australia, however, before he gratuitously gave a concert in his little home town to the obvious delight of all his old friends, who flocked from all parts of the district to hear him. The hall was packed to overflowing , and so pleased was Alex with the tumultuous reception he received that he sang fewer than 20 songs. Once in Italy, he lost no time in placing himself under the tuition of Cottone, and it was at the studio of this maestro that he met Toti dal Monte, a former protege of the same master. Two years were spent in Italy, when "Navarre" learned to speak the Italian language fluently, and acquired a wide knowledge of the operas. He sang in Milan about a year ago, and was paid some glowing tributes by the Italian Press critics, who likened his voice to that of Caruso. From Italy he went to Paris, where he met John Brownlee and many other famous singers. The critics on the Continent are unanimous that Andre Navarre-the unassuming Smeaton boy, whom his schoolmates still affectionately call "Hock"--is destined to become one of the luminaries in music history. It is interesting to recall some facts concerning the remarkable family from which this artist springs. Four other members have won championship honors in the musical world. Mr. Frank Wright has the Australasian cornet championship to his credit ; Mr. Norman Wright, of Sydney, has won a tenor championship of New Zealand, and has recorded for the Columbia Gramophone Company ; Mrs. Wm. Ritchie ( formerly Miss Laura Wright) won the A.N.A. contralto championship in Melbourne; whilst the oldest member, Lydia (Mrs. C. Cane, now in N.Z.) won the violin championship at South Street when 17 years of age. Last year Mrs. and Mr. Wright celebrated their golden wedding. Both of the old folk are intensely musical, and it has been said that the voice of the mother, although entirely untrained, showed in her earlier days glimpses of the beautiful quality which made Melba famous. Andre Navarre does not propose leaving the Continent for some time. Recently he was offered a 12 months' contract to sing in London for £2500 but on the advice of Melba and his coach, it was refused on the grounds that yet another 12 months' French study was necessary to ensure absolute perfection. That "Alex " has lost none of his school-boy wit is evinced by his own jocular remark that he has "a top C sharp that will crack every window in the Sydney Town Hall!" (Horsham Times, 20 February 1931) "AUSTRALIAN KILLED An Australian, Alexander Wright, radio variety star, who toured Europe and Australia under the pseudonym of Navarre, was killed during a recent air raid in a Midland . town. His broth-er, Frank Wright, is musical director for the London County council."(Border Morning Mail, 22 Oct 1940) Black and white image of Smeaton born Alexander Wright whose professional name was Navarre "Prince of Mimics". alexander wright, alec wright, navarre