The Old Portsmouth Theatre
The Old Portsmouth Theatre is a report of the Portsmouth Literary and Scientific Society published in the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle on 26 november 1887.
The report is about a lecture "The Old Portsmouth Theatre" by Hugh S. Maclauchlan, held on 22 november 1887, attended by Arthur Conan Doyle where he spoke as well.
Report
This was the title of a paper read by Mr. Hugh S. Maclauchlan at the meeting of the Portsmouth Literary and Scientific Society on Tuesday evening, and which is being republished in the series of articles on Old Portsmouth now appearing in the Hampshire Telegraph Supplement.
The chair was occupied by the President (Mr. James Hay), and the company included the Mayor of Portsmouth (Mr. A. Addison), Sir William King, J.P. (ex-Mayor), General J. W. Cox, C.B., F.R.G.S., Messrs. George Long, J.P. (Treasurer), J. Griffin, J.P., Colonel J. E. Taylor, Colonel T. Bryson, Captain R. Jackson, R.N., Captain Millar, R.N., Dr. C. C. Claremont, Dr. R. O. Bunting, Dr. Bernard J. Guillemard, Messrs. G. L. Green, Hugh S. Maclauchlan, W. T. Porer, R.N., Lewis P. Lewis, R.N., C. Foran, W. Inglis, R.N., J. S. Robinson, R.N., R. West Taylor, E. Martell, H. Parke, H. Dummer, G. A. Cook, R.N., G. Ollis, J. M. Ollis, R.N., J. W. Boughton, H. S. M. McCallum, F. Cameron, A. Howell, E. F. Burton, J. L. Wilkinson, J. S. Roberton, G. F. Bell, Dr. A. Conan Doyle and Dr. J. Ward Cousins (Hon. Secs.), &c. The following gentlemen were elected for membership:— Professor A. M. Worthington, Dr. R. Lyddon, Dr. Brampton Wright, Captain Millar, R.N., Messrs. W. Birch, F. Bridges, E. Clayton, B.A., W. Fowler, J. S. Robinson, R.N., James Robertson, R. West Taylor, and J. W. Walmisley. The following gentlemen were nominated for membership:— Messrs. J. W. Boughton, Seale, and J. W. S. M. McCallum. The lecture was illustrated by various old theatrical prints and playbills, lent for the occasion by the Mayor and the Library Committee, Mr. W. H. Saunders, of Portsmouth, and J. W. Boughton, of the Theatre Royal.
At the conclusion of the paper, the PRESIDENT observed that some one present might be able to fill up the gap which existed in the history of theatrical Portsmouth from the time that the old theatre was demolished to the erection of that in Commercial-road, His own recollection almost went back to the time when the theatre was built near the White Swan. Mr. Rutley had told him that he came to Portsmouth as the agent in advance for Messrs. Batty's Circus, and was much struck with the want of a theatre. He therefore erected a theatre on the site occupied by the present one. It was a perfect square in shape, and the dress boxes were so admirably adjusted that it was impossible to see the stage from them. (Laughter.) He moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer. — Mr. G. L. GREEN seconded, pointing out that the lecturer had clearly shown that there were giants early in the century, when the success of a play depended chiefly on the ability of the actors, as there were not the same scenic and stage accessories as existed now. In consequence, however, of the great pressure imposed on the stock companies the old actors were obliged to resort to a system of "gagging" which was very objectionable. There was a theatre in St. Mary's-street before that in High-street, and the great Lord Chatham spent a pleasant evening there on one occasion. — Mr. G. LONG, J.P., asked whether there was any record of Dickens acting at the Portsmouth Theatre, and what became of the Gosport Theatre. — Dr. A. CONAN DOYLE supported the resolution, relating several humorous anecdotes. — The MAYOR, in the course of a few remarks, alluded to the advantages possessed by modern playgoers as compared with those at the beginning of the century, when, as was related in "Nicholas Nickleby," there was only one box, which was just large enough for six persons, all of whom usually brought children to sit on their knees. (Laughter.) They now had a sumptuous and luxurious theatre, and the general condition of the town had much advanced. (Hear, hear.) — Dr. J. W. COUSINS and Dr. CLAREMONT also supported the resolution, which was carried with acclamation, after which Mr. MACLAUCHLAN replied, regretting that his literary grave-digging had not yet enabled him to answer the questions submitted by Mr. Long.
