Casgliadau Arlein

Oil painting of Bute Street Theatre, Cardiff, by Alexander Wilson. Framed.

Old Times Recalled. By A Famous Cardiff Picture. What with the constant additions of fresh suburbs to the city and the pulling down of old landmarks the citzen (sic) of to-day is apt to forget his fathers and the old-time surroundings in which they lived. Thus, relics of Old Cardiff are prized and valued, especially when they can be discussed by the few "oldest inhabitants," who survive to link the past with the present. An oil-painting has been unearthed, under singular circumstances, recalling that which was a night-by-night scene of festivity in many an old hostelry, with singing and dancing and amateur play acting, but, as the French phrase it, "Other times other manners." To cut a long story short, Mr. B. Kyte, butcher, of Caroline-street, had in his possession for forty years a painting of the first theatrical performance in Cardiff, and the picture is so much esteemed that Mr. Tom John twenty years ago in vain offered his double-cased gold watch for its possession. The picture got into a dilapidated state and lately was included amongst certain effects bought to the hammer by Mr. William Powell, auctioneer. The picture has been renovated by Mr. George Trubey, 19, Queen-street Arcade, and will shortly be publicly (sic) exhibited. The artist was Mr. A. Wilson, celebrated in his day as a landscape painter, who died in Cardiff some 25 years ago. The scene of this first theatrical performance was the Bute Arms, Bute-street, which was pulled down some twenty years ago in connection with the Barry railway scheme, and the hostelry, it will be remembered, had in front a magnificent painted figure of Lord But. There is seen posing on the stage, as a coloured comedian, Jack Portobello, a one-time fighting man of repute, whilst in the audience are the landlord (Mr. Taylor), who died at the Old Market Tavern; Mr. Lewis Reece (brother of the late coroner), conversing with a policeman, one of the olden school, wearing a top-hat; Mr. Wilson (the painter), warming his hands at the fire; and others whom the "old uns" recognise without the least difficulty. (Source: Evening Express, Tuesday, August 31, 1909).