The forthcoming Post Office Gallery exhibition “Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo” looks at key moments, venues and people in the evolution of theatrical entertainment in Bendigo.
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Western theatrical traditions came to Bendigo with fortune seekers in the 1850s. The growing population and prosperity of the goldfields was attractive to touring artists, companies and theatrical entrepreneurs ensuring that even amongst the dust of the fledgling settlement, there was no shortage of entertainment.
In the early days performances took place in tents. However, less than a decade after gold was discovered in Bendigo, there was a variety of permanent establishments’ offering everything from bawdy concert hall acts to theatrical performances comparable to those seen on the stages of London.
One of Bendigo’s most treasured theatres, The Royal Princess Theatre, opened on 31 August 1874. Everything from vaudeville to classical theatrical productions, pantomimes, vocal and music recitals, opera, ballet and elocutionary competitions were presented on the Princess’ stage with a constant stream of reputed local, national and international artists and touring companies to sustain them.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the Royal Princess and the Masonic theatre (now The Capital) had quickly embraced the phenomenon of moving pictures with the latter host to some of the first film screenings in Bendigo courtesy of travelling picture show-men.
An immediate hit with audiences moving pictures transitioned quickly from being a novelty, sometimes screened as filler between vaudeville acts, to being the main event. In the early days, films were also shown in municipal halls, mechanics institutes and several open-air venues until eventually several purpose built picture theatres were erected.
Despite the dominating popularity of ‘the pictures’, live theatre remained a constant. Amateur theatre companies, formed in the early days of the city paved the way for contemporary community theatre, which continues to be a strong creative force in the city today with several local companies still operating after decades of performing.
Theatre is a notoriously unpredictable business, affected by local economies and social and cultural trends. Over the decades, this reality has seen countless theatres come and go in Bendigo, including the Royal Princess which was demolished on 1 July 1963. In spite of this, there has never been a time when Bendigonians have lacked some form of theatrical entertainment. As the city grows, the theatrical landscape continues to evolve and contemporary audiences are still spoilt for choice.
The exhibition “Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo” includes photographs, objects and ephemera as well as a collection of oral history recordings of locals reflecting on stage and screen in Bendigo. The exhibition opens on 16 October.