Theatrical traditions: stage and screen in Bendigo

6
Benjamin Pierce
Batchelder
born United States
1826
arrived Australia 1856
died 1891
Symonds’ Criterion
Family Hotel, Bendigo
1861
albumen silver
photograph
Courtesy State
Library of Victoria
Lola Montez
c1846 - c1861
Reproduction of
portrait painted
by order of King
Ludwig I of Bavaria
Reproduced
from the book
Seven Splendid Sinners
by W R H
Trowbridge
Courtesy State
Library of Victoria
‘cultured’ citizens. Henry Coleman,
respected for his enterprising spirit
and ability to procure high-quality
entertainment, managed the Princess
Theatre. While continuing in this role,
in 1856, Coleman built the Criterion
Theatre on a site adjoining the Hotel.
By contemporary standards the building
was rudimentary, but at the time its
scale alone would have been impressive.
With a capacity of 1500, according to
the Bendigo Advertiser and Coleman’s
supporters, the new theatre was
‘unparalleled for comfort and elegance
in the colony...’and ‘unrivalled by
any Colonial Provincial Theatre…’ 6
By 1857, the Criterion Theatre had
been re-named the Haymarket Theatre,
and surprisingly, only four years later,
it was sold at auction and subsequently
demolished. 7
The most legendary performer to grace
the stage at the Criterion was actress
Lola Montez. 8 Born Marie Dolores
Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, the Irish dancer
and actress became famous as Lola
Montez the ‘Spanish dancer’. She
received mixed reviews throughout
her checkered theatrical career.
Montez toured the goldfields of
Australia in 1855 – 56. Her antics,
both on and off stage, gained her quite
a reputation and her arrival in Bendigo
in March 1856 was highly anticipated.
Many attended her performances out
of sheer curiosity; others were intent
on witnessing her legendary risqué
‘Spider Dance’. 9 One of the most
notable events during Montez’s time
in Bendigo was on 1 April when the
Criterion was struck by lightening
during her performance. The
lightening entered the building and set
fire to some of the scenery. 10 Montez
remained in Bendigo for several
months. Addressing the audience at
the end of one of her performances
declaring that she ‘…would not soon
forget the kindness she met with on
Bendigo’. 11
ABBOTT’S LYCEUM
Abbott’s Hotel, operating in the early
days of Bendigo, was a two-storey
building near the corner of Bull Street
and Pall Mall. Attached to the hotel
was a small theatre known as the
Lyceum. By 1860, Abbott had closed
the adjoining theatre and re-built it.
The ambitious New Lyceum Theatre
opened on the 10 December 1860.
With a capacity of 1500, it boasted
a large stage framed by an equally
generous proscenium. 12 The launching
act was Signor and Signorina Bianchi
performing the opera Il Travatore.
The Lyceum was the most well
regarded theatre in Bendigo at the