Originally pink, this silk theatre program for Shakespeare's Othello commemorates the first performance at the Queen's Theatre, the oldest Australian mainland theatre still in existence. Emmanuel Solomon named the theatre in honour of the young Queen Victoria in 1841.
The theatre was leased to John Lazar, who with his talented daughter Rachel, turned on a lengthy show on opening night. Shakespeare's tragedy Othello was followed by the 'laughable farce' Our Mary Anne, interspersed with dances by Rachel Lazar. The performance finished at 1.00 the following morning.
The old theatre in Gilles Arcade continues to operate today as a venue for the Fringe Festival, Feast Festival and other one-off events.
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Queen's Theatre, Gilles Arcade, Currie Street. State Library of South Australia, accessed 22/03/2025, https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/2151
