Royal Princess Theatre Eight First Birthday Souvenir Programme, 31st August, 1955. 1874 - 1955. Manager: Don Vincent. Price - Sixpence. Proceeds: Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund. The Royal Princess Theatre. In May, 1874, the late John Crowley, at a cost of 12,000 pounds the Royal Princess Theatre. It was opened on 31st August, 1874, on which occasion the 'Grand Duchess of Gerolstein' was performed. It was in January, 1904, that the Theatre was closed until April, 1905, for re-construction at a cost of 5,000 pounds. Further alterations were made I 1936 when the old circle and the gallery was converted into the present circle and loge, the cost on this occasion was 14,000 pounds. At the Royal Princess has been seen every form of entertainment known in the world. Operas, including Gilbert and Sullivan, Shakespearean plays, Minstrels, Pantomime, Circus (Wirth's making their first appearance in1887), Drama, Revues, Magicians, and the latest medium of entertainment Ice Revue. Of the many shows presented on stage of the theatre, I feel none has survived as long, or as well, as 'Charley's Aunt.' The companies to present their performances have been many and varied, but among an imposing list, the names of Charles Holloway, The Royal English Opera Company, J. C. Williamson Co., and Royal Comic Opera Coy., will long be remembered. The line of notable personalities who have appeared on the stage is long also, and includes such names as John McCormack, Clara Butt, Harry Lauder, Peter Dawson and more recently Jessie Mathews and John Calvert. But of all these and many others, I am sure none can ever compare with the wonderful performances by the late Dame Nellie Melba, who gave her farewell performance in September, 1921. It is interesting to note that Dame Nellie Melba, gave two farewell performances. The first was in February, 1886, when she made a last appearance as Mrs Armstrong, to later become Madame Melba. The first competition of the Austral Society was held in the Theatre in May, 1897, and the first living pictures were seen in August, 1899. The London Bioscope Co. presented 'Struck Oil,' with Maggie Moore, in February, 1901 (Maggie Moore had appeared in the stage play or the same name many times earlier). However, it was not until 1910 that the Royal Princess was mainly used for pictures, and of course, since that year, that has been the principle form of entertainment presented. It was Easter, 1930, that the first talkie, 'The Desert Song,' was screened and then followed coloured films, and now in 1955 the latest in film development - Cinemascope has been installed. This installation caused, for the first time in many years, alterations to the back stage to enable the large 30ft. Screen to be quickly removed ready for any 'live' performances. In 1937 the Royal Princess came under the Management of Northern Amusements Pty. Ltd., a unit of the Woodrow Corporation Ltd., whose policy it is to bring in entertainment to Bendigo, and I, as their representative will carry on the traditions of the past, and make the Royal Princess truly a Home of Entertainment. Don Vincent, Manager. Wednesday, 31st August, 1955 on the stage. Eagelhawk Brass Band. Official cutting of the Bithday Cake and its presentation to the Matron of the Benoevolent Home by His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo (The cake kindly donated by Friedrich & Bassemir). Presentation of the Travel Voucher for a 10 day Luxury Coach Tour on behalf of Pioneer Coaches Ltd., to the licky couple winning the recent 25th Wedding Anniversary Contest, by His Worship the Mayor of Eaglehawk. 'Progress of Fashion by Bendigo Fashion House including A Tableaux of 7 Bridal Ensembles. Miss 1874 Gertrude Perry, Misses 1955 Rosemary Lorenz, Lorraine Foley, Joan Pinder, Pauline Kim, Shirley Morgan, Pat Ferrari, Wilma Breerton. Make - up by Helen Lang Beauty Salon. 81st Birthday Performance on the screen. Newsreels, Cartoons, Shorts, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Photograph: The Staff of the Royal Princess, under the Management of Mr Don Vincent, who are at your service. Hearing Aids are now installed in all parts of the Theatre, Doctors or Nurses on call may leave their names at the pay-box. Advertisements for Bendigo businesses: Radio Taxis, Kings Dry Cleaners, John V. Schenck Art Florist, Morley Johnsons everything for the home, Ron Meurer fridges, The Melody Bar, music. Program comprises of two sheets of paper.program, theatre, royal princess theatre, royal princess theatre eight first birthday souvenir programme, 31st august, 1955. 1874 - 1955. manager: don vincent. price - sixpence. proceeds: cinematograph trade benevolent fund. the royal princess theatre. in may, 1874, the late john crowley, at a cost of 12, 000 pounds the royal princess theatre. opened on 31st august, 1874, 'grand duchess of gerolstein' was performed. 1904, the theatre was closed until 1905, for re-construction. further alterations 1936 when the old circle and the gallery was converted into the present circle and loge, 14, 000 pounds. seen every form of entertainment known in the world. operas, including gilbert and sullivan, shakespearean plays, minstrels, pantomime, circus (wirth's making their first appearance in1887), drama, revues, magicians, and the latest medium of entertainment ice revue. 'charley's aunt.' the companies have been many and varied, charles holloway, the royal english opera company, j. c. williamson co., and royal comic opera coy., john mccormack, clara butt, harry lauder, peter dawson and more recently jessie mathews and john calvert. dame nellie melba, who gave her farewell performance in september, 1921. it is interesting to note that dame nellie melba, gave two farewell performances. the first was in february, 1886, when she made a last appearance as mrs armstrong, to later become madame melba. the first competition of the austral society was held in the theatre in may, 1897, the first living pictures in august, 1899. the london bioscope co. presented 'struck oil, ' with maggie moore, in february, 1901 (maggie moore had appeared in the stage play or the same name many times earlier). by1910 that the royal princess was mainly used for pictures, has been the principle form of entertainment presented. it was easter, 1930, that the first talkie, 'the desert song, ' was screened and then coloured films, now 1955 the latest in film development - cinemascope has been installed, alterations to the back stage to enable the large 30ft. screen to be quickly removed 'live' performances. in 1937 the management of northern amusements pty. ltd., a unit of the woodrow corporation ltd., 1955. eagelhawk brass band. official cutting of the bithday cake and its presentation to the matron of the benoevolent home by his worship the mayor of bendigo (the cake kindly donated by friedrich & bassemir). presentation of the travel voucher for a 10 day luxury coach tour on behalf of pioneer coaches ltd., to the licky couple winning the recent 25th wedding anniversary contest, by his worship the mayor of eaglehawk. 'progress of fashion by bendigo fashion house including a tableaux of 7 bridal ensembles. miss 1874 gertrude perry, misses 1955 rosemary lorenz, lorraine foley, joan pinder, pauline kim, shirley morgan, pat ferrari, wilma breerton. make - up by helen lang beauty salon. 81st birthday performance on the screen. newsreels, cartoons, shorts, seven brides for seven brothers. photograph: the staff of the royal princess, under the management of mr don vincent, who are at your service. hearing aids are now installed in all parts of the theatre, doctors or nurses on call may leave their names at the pay-box. advertisements for bendigo businesses: radio taxis, kings dry cleaners, john v. schenck art florist, morley johnsons everything for the home, ron meurer fridges, the melody bar, music. royal princess theatre eight first birthday souvenir programme, 31st august, 1955. 1874 - 1955. manager: don vincent. price - sixpence. proceeds: cinematograph trade benevolent fund. the royal princess theatre. in may, 1874, the late john crowley, at a cost of 12, 000 pounds the royal princess theatre. opened on 31st august, 1874, 'grand duchess of gerolstein' was performed. 1904, the theatre was closed until 1905, for re-construction. further alterations 1936 when the old circle and the gallery was converted into the present circle and loge, 14, 000 pounds. seen every form of entertainment known in the world. operas, including gilbert and sullivan, shakespearean plays, minstrels, pantomime, circus (wirth's making their first appearance in1887), drama, revues, magicians, and the latest medium of entertainment ice revue. 'charley's aunt.' the companies have been many and varied, charles holloway, the royal english opera company, j. c. williamson co., and royal comic opera coy., john mccormack, clara butt, harry lauder, peter dawson and more recently jessie mathews and john calvert. dame nellie melba, who gave her farewell performance in september, 1921. it is interesting to note that dame nellie melba, gave two farewell performances. the first was in february, 1886, when she made a last appearance as mrs armstrong, to later become madame melba. the first competition of the austral society was held in the theatre in may, 1897, the first living pictures in august, 1899. the london bioscope co. presented 'struck oil, ' with maggie moore, in february, 1901 (maggie moore had appeared in the stage play or the same name many times earlier). by1910 that the royal princess was mainly used for pictures, has been the principle form of entertainment presented. it was easter, 1930, that the first talkie, 'the desert song, ' was screened and then coloured films, now 1955 the latest in film development - cinemascope has been installed, alterations to the back stage to enable the large 30ft. screen to be quickly removed 'live' performances. in 1937 the management of northern amusements pty. ltd., a unit of the woodrow corporation ltd., 1955. eagelhawk brass band. official cutting of the bithday cake and its presentation to the matron of the benoevolent home by his worship the mayor of bendigo (the cake kindly donated by friedrich & bassemir). presentation of the travel voucher for a 10 day luxury coach tour on behalf of pioneer coaches ltd., to the licky couple winning the recent 25th wedding anniversary contest, by his worship the mayor of eaglehawk. 'progress of fashion by bendigo fashion house including a tableaux of 7 bridal ensembles. miss 1874 gertrude perry, misses 1955 rosemary lorenz, lorraine foley, joan pinder, pauline kim, shirley morgan, pat ferrari, wilma breerton. make - up by helen lang beauty salon. 81st birthday performance on the screen. newsreels, cartoons, shorts, seven brides for seven brothers. photograph: the staff of the royal princess, under the management of mr don vincent, who are at your service. hearing aids are now installed in all parts of the theatre, doctors or nurses on call may leave their names at the pay-box. advertisements for bendigo businesses: radio taxis, kings dry cleaners, john v. schenck art florist, morley johnsons everything for the home, ron meurer fridges, the melody bar, music.

Names of members on back of photograph. BACK ROW: J.S.Lechan, H.Beechley, N.Lucas, B.Wodetzki, B.Lucas, B.Wright, A.Harrison, T.Coghlan, J.Gook, C.Wright MIDDLE ROW: T. Kossock, F.Harrison, *. Wilson, A.Cumming, R.Lucas, B.Wylie, E.Fogarty, P.Lucas, E.Burge, B.Pissoli, J.Scholes SEATED: T.Stewart, B.Harrison, A.Broewn, B.Prouse, J.Harrison, *. Brown, B.CarrThe band originally started in 1910. Mr William Heap was the first bandmaster with about 32 members. The second bandmaster was Mr George Prouse, Eaglehawk, followed by Mr William Wallace of Inglewood who was in charge until the band disbanded in 1914 due to the WW1. Twenty Eight of the 32 members enlisted and served overseas. More REF in Catalogue No 11. Framed black and white photographic print of Bridgewater Brass Bandsmen in Formal Suits standing in an outdoor settingA.G. Lo--- (in lower right hand corner)