BEFORE AND BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS. 233 



ences wlien travelling up country in Australia. In 

 the more remote parts they have to go by coach, 

 and when heavy rain has been falling they occasion- 

 ally get stuck up in a bog or have their luggage 

 washed away when fording a river. At Bourke not 

 so very long ago a theatrical company had the mis- 

 fortune to see the roof blown off the theatre. 



One company struck hard times and bad luck, 

 and when the night for the performance in a country 

 town came the hall-keeper went on the stage and 

 demanded his salary. 



The manager intimated it would be paid after 

 the play was over, but this did not satisfy the man. 



" Very well,'^ he said, '' no pay no gas,'' and ho 

 declined to turn on the lights. 



The Koyal Comic Opera Company, organized by 

 Messrs. Williamson and Musgrove, has been touring 

 the Colonies for some years, and all the latest operatic 

 successes have been produced by them. Miss Nellie 

 Stewart is a great favourite and never fails to secure 

 a hearty reception. Mr. Charles Ryley, Mr. Wallace 

 Brownlow, Mr. William Elton, Mr. Charles Lauri, 

 Mr. Howard Vernon, Mr. Tapley, and many other 

 good actors and actresses have been connected with 

 this company. Mr. Williamson is very popular, and 

 he is very fond of all kinds of sport, racing espe- 

 cially. Most actors in the Colonies appear to be 

 fond of racing, Mr. Brough amongst the number. 



