The concept of Theatre started in 1841 when a man named Hodges, built the pavilion but he was later gaoled for showing inappropriate shows. Later In 1842 a licence was granted to a redevelop the theatre and renamed it Theatre Royal. In 1843 a second theatre was built called Queen’s theatre and from there theatre expanded. Theatre provided opera and Shakespeare for the upper-class and other performances for the lower-class. At the turn of the century theatre was a popular pastime for both classes but mainly the upper class. Theatre was quite popular because it gave the rich another thing to do that the lower/working class couldn't afford. Theatre could be used to educate, intellectually stimulate or provide a moral or Christian message. Examples of play which were often shown during this period that relate to the above are "Rob Roy", "The Widow's Victim'' and sometimes Shakespeare. Scroll Down for Video |
Upper class leisure 1900’s:
The wealth of the upper class in Melbourne in the 1900’s gave them a more comfortable life. They had more leisure time because of they had plenty of wealth which means they did not need to devote all their time to work. The upper class was able to hire maids and servants if they could afford it. There are some sport in the 1900’s where only the upper class citizens could do. Sports such as tennis were considered to be for the upper class because most of the courts were privately owned. Golf was also too expensive for the average Australian, with courses funded by their affluent club members. Other sports such as rowing, hunting and car racing were also restricted to those who could afford them. It was not uncommon for the Upper classes to attend the theatre, host garden parties and see motion pictures which, in the 1900’s, were black and white and utilised subtitles and a live pianist to provide accompanying sound. They also went on picnics, with the very wealthiest families being able to travel by car to the countryside or the beach. The upper class also went on holidays, sometimes overseas to Britain. But they had to travel by ship because plane rides were hard to come by and the journey often took approximately 6 weeks. |