Let the good times roll: Forbes Family History Group on entertainment

The town of Forbes, from even its earliest days, has always offered entertainment to its community.

Travelling circuses have been coming to Forbes since 1862. Aston's Royal Anglo-Saxon Circus was first established in the colonies in 1850 and has made regular appearances in Forbes since 1862. This circus boasted as having a splendid stud of trained horses and the best brass band in the colonies. It also consisted of the best equsetrian, acrobat, gymnastic performers, jugglers, slack and tightrope walkers.

Early performers associated with this circus in 1862 were Master Callaghan, a somersault thrower and Kate Ashton, a child of only seven years of age who could jump through hoops, balloons etc with the greatest of ease and grace. Other acrobats, who were also involved in equestrian events, were Mr Moffatt, Mr James Ashton and Mr Williams.

Mr Meyers was a celebrated trapeze performer, Mr Bird was a great contortionist and slack-rope performer.

Ashton's also featured Cumbo Cumbo, an Aboriginal man from Rockhampton who was a celebrated acrobatic performer and Chin Foo Lan Boo who was a daring Chinese gymnast.

The Eroni Brothers Circus also visited Forbes. In 1907 they advertised as being at the Globe Hotel with a particularly fine menagerie.

In June 1897 Professor Jacobs gave a farewell performance in the Vandenberg's Victoria Hall. He performed sleight-of-hand tricks. He also sang and played, giving a rendition of J K Emmet's well-known song "The Lullaby" to a very appreciated audience. Jacobs was also a much admired ventriloquist.

Highland Gathering and Games began in Forbes under the auspices of the Forbes Caledonian Society in 1896. The Pipe and Town bands led a parade to the showground where events such as dancing, piping, running, jumping, bicycle races and best-dressed costumes took place.

The athletic events included putting the stone, throwing the hammer and tossing the caber. Miscellaneous events included tent pegging, tug-o-war, potato races, pony race and firemen's competition.

The Forbes Parkes Gazette in march 1899 tells the reader that the Town Hall of Forbes was the scene of a grand musical carnival when the famous Newbury-Spada Company gave two popular and superior concerts. Miss Kathleen Morven was a contralto and Miss Lillian Frost was a talented and popular pianoforte player. At this time people were encouraged to secure their seats at Lewis' in Rankin Street.

According to Greville's Post Office Directory and Gazetteer of NSW from 1872 to 1877 James Lewis ran a fancy bazaar in Rankin Street.

This directory also lists Edward Grady as a confectioner in Rankin Street and he possibly sold his products to those seeking entertainment in the various venues in Forbes. I wonder, too, if the cordial manufacturers of W Hudson and Alfred S George, both of Brown Street, were also involved in providing refreshments to these venues and ventures.

The Town Hall also provided the venue for Bertram the Great who was a court magician. He amused and amazed an audience for two hours in August 1901. This magician had performed 23 times before King Edward VII and three times before her late Majesty the Queen.

Jack McKay's waxworks was touring the west and in Forbes for the Show week in 1907.

The American hypnotist Professor Norwood and Miss Winifred Norwood, the mental telepathist, performed in Forbes at the Town Hall in July 1913. Professor Norwood was said to possess extraordinary powers with the audience practically shrieking with laughter. Reservations for this performance were to have been made at Cochrane's.

Greville's Post Office Directory and Gazetteer of NSW 1872 - 1877 lists an A Martin as a billiard maker in Lachlan Street. Within this same book billiards are advertised for the "Miner's Arms" Currajong, where Newell and Hand are proprieters; at the "Bushman's Arms" Currajong where David Barr was the proprietor, and at "Prince of Wales Hotel" Currajong where Thomas Tasker was the proprietor. Martin was most likely the supplier to these venues.

This directory also lists a James Brown as a musician in Brown Street, but to what or where he played was unknown at the time of writing this article.

The Royal Standard Theatre was a popular venue for entertainment in 1862 in Forbes. Dramas, musicals, and an assortment of other acts are advertised in the Lachlan Observer and The Miner in 1862. There was "Othello" starring Mr Sheil Barry, Mr Byers and Mr Melville. This was followed by the same actors performing "Damon and Pythias" and "All that glitters is not gold" during May 1862. The dramas "Marble Heart" and "The husband of an hour" were performed in September.

Osborne Hall was built in 1878 and today is the housing for the Forbes Museum. In October 1885 it hosted the performance entitled "London Assurance" in aid of the Forbes Miner's Association. Some of the actors were Mr Nelson, Mr Donovan, Mr and Mrs Johnston, Miss Bridge, Mr McLean, Mr C E Job. Mr Jackson, Mr Wilmott, Mr Murray and Hon E A T Pery and Mrs Pery.

In November 1886 there were two performances in aid of the Forbes Volunteer Corps called "A Morning Call" and "The Serious Family". By March 1888 there was a grand vocal and instrumental concert. This type of performance was ongoing over many years of newspaper articles.

As mentioned the Town Hall was in constant use as an entertainment venue in Forbes and continues to perform this function to the present day. One of the highlights occurred in 1909 with the visit of Dame Nellie Melba.

Under the direction of John Lemmone Melba performed at the Town Hall in Forbes. She was assisted by Mr Frederick Ranalow (famous young Irish baritone), Miss Una Bourne (solo pianist), Mr John Lemmone (solo flautist) and Mr Harold Whittle (accompanist).

Madame Melba arrived by train in Forbes and was formally welcomed by the Aldermen of the Municipality, after which she was driven to the Albion Hotel. The diva was given the use of Mr T P Clark's new motor car on arrival.