The Prince of Wales Theatre, with its successor, the Royal Lyceum, was a short-lived performance venue in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Australia.
Melbourne's Prince of Wales Theatre was built on the site of the Tattersall's hotel's stables, which had been converted to the "Hippodrome", a circus arena, but failed to return a profit, and became the "Rat Pit", a place of dog fighting and snake charmers.[1] The new theatre, which opened 24 May 1860, was built to seat 1,500 people and had a removable stage to allow equestrian displays to take place. Scenery was painted by a Mr Barley, who was brought from Sydney for the purpose.[2] True to its provenance, the first entertainments consisted largely of equestrian feats, clowns and tightrope walkers, but also a few promenade concerts and political meetings.
In February 1862 the American impresario Robert G. Marsh took over the lease of the hotel and the theatre, which he reopened on 4 March as the Royal Lyceum.[3] Admission charge was 1s. (one shilling); babes in arms and dogs 1gn. (one guinea = 21s.)[4] and made it a place of family entertainment, opening with the pantomime Aladdin performed by his "Marsh Children" troupe of juveniles,[5] starring Louisa Arnot.[6] They last appeared on 18 October,[7] with none of the usual farewell performances. Marsh was renowned for decamping without notice.[8]
In March 1864 the site was taken over by the Virginian Tobacco Company for a factory, subsequently Garton's livery stables.[9]