Theatre Royal Playbills 1858-1877

The Theatre Royal was a grand gold rush-era theatre in Ballarat. The theatre attracted acclaimed international performers and hosted a royal visit by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Afred in 1867. Ballarat Libraries is fortunate to hold a rare collection of playbills advertising performances at the Theatre Royal, and many of these are presented in this exhibition. These playbills provide a fascinating insight into Australian theatrical history and the tastes, interests, and indeed the prejudices, of colonial Ballarat society.