The Lorgnette

The Lorgnette, subtitled "Theatrical Journal and Programme" (later "A journal for Amusements"), was a weekly magazine in Melbourne, Australia, devoted to theatre, opera and the concert stage. The magazine was published Saturdays and sold for 2d (two pence) at the major entertainment venues (Theatre Royal, Opera House, Academy of Music, Princess' Theatre, St George's Hall and Town Hall) where it had exclusive rights, and elsewhere.

For much of its existence, a four-page supplement was issued with the Saturday two pence (from 1890 one penny)[1] paper. The supplement was available gratis as a separate publication every other day of the week.[2] This supplement was printed (and contents updated) daily, and datestamped.

In order to promote forthcoming productions as well as providing up-to-date theatre news and current programmes, a great deal of its content was reprinted from one issue to the next, perhaps a unique characteristic of this magazine, while some features changed with every issue, notably the illustrated biographies, a list of which forms a large part of this article.

  1. ^ "Advertising". The Lorgnette. No. 57. Victoria, Australia. 1 February 1890. p. 3 (Supplement). Retrieved 10 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Public Notice". The Lorgnette. No. 1. Victoria, Australia. 12 January 1889. p. 2 (Supplement). Retrieved 10 April 2021 – via National Library of Australia.