Theatre Royal Playbills

Currently on show at Ballarat Library is the library’s collection of historic playbills from the Theatre Royal in the 1850s to 1860s.

History of the Theatre Royal 

Ballarat’s Theatre Royal opened in 1858 on Sturt Street.  It was world renowned and alongside its own resident actors, musicians, and crew, the theatre attracted many internationally acclaimed performers. The Royal was popular, colourful, and lively, and hosted the Prince of Wales on a royal visit in 1867. The final curtain fell in 1877 and the theatre was sadly destroyed by fire in 1899. Throughout the lifetime of the Theatre Royal, Ballarat was home to people from all over the globe, and attending the theatre was a popular form of entertainment for all social classes. 

What is a playbill? 

Ballarat Libraries are fortunate to hold a collection of 27 playbills advertising performances at the Theatre Royal. Historically, playbills were widely used to promote entertainment to the public- they were printed and distributed, mostly being fixed to the side of buildings, doors, and walls in public spaces. It was customary to layer over previous posters and playbills, creating a collage of advertisements. This practice meant the playbills were eventually lost beneath layers of paper- making this collection unique and valuable.  

Ballarat Libraries’ Collection 

This collection of original playbills provides insight into the lives of those living in Ballarat in the 1850s-1870s and offers a glimpse into the lively world that was goldrush Ballarat. The playbills are from Ballarat Libraries’ Heritage Collection and their provenance is, unfortunately, unknown. 

Ballarat Libraries advises this material is part of our heritage collection— it provides evidence of past attitudes and contains information which may be culturally insensitive. It may include words and terms which are offensive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a record of the past and it should be viewed and interpreted in that context. It may include images and names of deceased people. This material does not reflect the views of Ballarat Libraries. 

Browse this collection online here or see it in person at Ballarat Library.