Garrick Club (Melbourne) Explained

The Melbourne Garrick Club was an association of people with interests in the theatre, founded in 1855, and disbanded around 1866 after the death of one of its "leading lights".

History

The Club, whose aims were "the cultivation of dramatic literature and art, and the occasional production of dramatic representations in aid of charitable and other purposes",^[1] was founded with around 50 members, including:

• President: Richard Hengist Horne, the poet and critic, "Orion"
• Vice-president James Smith of The Argus^[2]
• Secretary: Dr James Edward Neild
• Treasurer: James Coates

Other members included:^[3]

• Sir William A'Beckett (Chief Justice)
• William M. Akhurst, journalist and writer of burlesques
• S. H. Banks
• W. B. Baxter
• Alfred Bliss, auctioneer of Bliss & Joy^[2]
• Charles Edward Bright
• G. V. Brooke
• H. A. Bruce
• John Buckley Castieau of Beechworth
• J. H. Deorwyn (c. 1623 – 6 August 1888), actor^[4]
• John Edwards jun. (born 1836 in Launceston), barrister, "the Collingwood chicken"^{[2] [5]}
• R. Henningham
• W. J. Henningham
• W. B. Hickling^[4]
• G. J. Hough^[4]
• George H. R. Ireland^[6]
• William Levev^[4]
• Archibald Michie journalist and politician
• Thomas Pavey, solicitor
• G. H. Rogers, actor, comedian^[7]
• Dr Clement Sconce
• James Smith^[4]
• Henry Gyles Turner^[8]
• Theodore W. Whipham
• W. H. Williams^[4]
• William John Wilson, theatrical scene painter
• Richard Younge, stage manager^[9]

The club was formed at "Williams' dining rooms" in Elizabeth Street; later meetings were held at the Kelly's Argus Hotel, adjacent The Argus newspaper offices.^[10] It went into recess around 1866. One of its last activities was a concert to raise money for a memorial to the great actor G. V. Brooke.^[11]

Notes and References

1. News: The Garrick Club . . 2613 . Victoria, Australia . 11 October 1855 . 20 March 2021 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: Early Stage Reminiscences . Hayseed . . III . 190 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 May 1904 . 20 March 2021 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: More Wilsonians. . . 12 . 46 . New South Wales, Australia . 31 July 1909 . 20 March 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: Death of Mr J. H. Deorwyn . . XLIX . Victoria, Australia . 3 September 1888 . 11 July 2021 . 4 . Trove.
5. News: The Chronicle . . X . 151 . Victoria, Australia . 3 June 1882 . 20 March 2021 . 162 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Mr Ireland's Benefit . . 9505 . Victoria, Australia . 31 March 1906 . 20 March 2021 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
7. News: The Late Mr G. H. Rogers . . XVII . 39 . Victoria, Australia . 14 February 1872 . 20 March 2021 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
8. News: Mr. Henry Gyles Turner . . 298 . Victoria, Australia . 6 March 1891 . 11 July 2021 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
9. News: Mummer Memories . . XI . 671 . New South Wales, Australia . 1 May 1912 . 20 March 2021 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
10. News: Theatrical Squabbles . Hayseed . . III . 206 . New South Wales, Australia . 7 September 1904 . 23 August 2021 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
11. News: The Brooke Memorial Fund . . 6,214 . Victoria, Australia . 8 May 1866 . 20 March 2021 . 5 . National Library of Australia.