Princess Theatre

This guide to the Princess Theatre in Melbourne opens on opening night of Faust, March 1888, when the baritone playing Mephistopheles collapsed as his character was lowered through a trapdoor in the final scene. He died within the hour, yet witnesses swore he took his bow with the rest of the cast. The guide follows what the audience did and didn't know that night, and what staff and patrons have described in the dress circle ever since. Look up toward the third row as you listen.