ays previously, on the walls of the
town the following placard:--

THE THEATRE OPENS
ON MONDAY NEXT, 11TH MAY.

THE MANAGERS
Have been requested to permit admission at

HALF-PRICE,

As in London, etc. (and elsewhere), but they still persist in the
injustice of demanding FULL PRICES, from those who have it not in
their power to attend until a very late hour, when a good and
material part of the performance is over! We have even a greater
right to the indulgence than the London audiences--

LET US
BOLDLY CLAIM IT
AND
WE MUST SUCCEED!!

This placard was followed by others. An abusive letter also made its
appearance, as well as a pamphlet equally offensive, in which the lessees
were held up to scorn, ridicule, and opprobrium. In fact, every step was
taken to excite the (play-going) public mind on the subject of
"half-price or full-price."

When the opening night arrived, crowds of people assembled outside the
theatre, and the rush to get in, when the doors opened, was immense.
Numbers of places had been previously taken in the boxes, by persons who
were seen to be most actively engaged in the riots in the theatre
afterwards. No sooner had the curtain rose to the play of "Pizarro" than
the row began--shoutings, bawlings, whistlings, hornblowings, turnings of
rattles, flappings of clappers, and every noise that could be made by the
human voice was indulged in, and the uproar seemed to increase as the
night went on--such a scene of confusion can hardly be conceived, and
amidst the turbulence that reigned placards were exhibited demanding
"half-price." In vain the managers attempted to obtain a hearing--in
vain favourite actors came forward, hoping to be heard--the play
proceeded, but all in "inexplicable dumb show and noise." These riots
were repeated on the nights of the 14th and 16th, when it was found
necessary to close the theatre. Each night the same riotous behaviour
was exhibited. In fact, to such an extent had it arrived that the Mayor
was at length sent for, and read the Riot Act. The mob outside threw
brick-bats, stones, and all sorts of missiles at the windows, which they
completely smashed, breaking away even