Joseph Wyatt

Joseph Wyatt (1788 – 20 July 1860)

In 1836 he planned another, larger, theatre in Sydney, the Royal Victoria Theatre. The foundation stone was laid on 7 September of that year, and the new theatre in Pitt Street, opened on 26 March 1838, with William Dind co-manager. In the same year Wyatt bought the Theatre Royal from the widow of its owner Barnett Levey, who died the previous year. That theatre burned down in 1840. and examinations. In 1846 the lease was advertised for sale by auction. In 1854 it became a furniture showroom. The City Theatre reopened on 24 March 1856 with a musical company compered by the comedian W. H. Stephens. Several good productions were mounted there, but the theatre did not pay, and after a few years became an auction mart.

Wyatt sold the Royal Victoria Theatre in 1854. "It was soon apparent," wrote an obituarist, "that two theatres would not pay in Sydney ... and was at length compelled to take the benefit of the Insolvent Act." Attempts were made in 1856 to turn it into a casino. Wyatt sold the theatre at a heavy loss in 1858.

He died on 20 July 1860, and was buried at Camperdown Cemetery. An obituarist wrote, "in his dealings with the public and the professionals during the twenty-five years he was connected with the theatres, [he] managed to secure the respect of both".