Richard C. Gardner
Dawson was without a theatre for some time until the Pavilion opened with R. C. Gardner as manager. The theatre opened on 13 June 1898 and was crowded every night to the street doors. The first week opened with Nellie Lamore singing, and then Blanche Lamont singing and dancing. Fred Breen exhibited his skill in sketch, song, and clog dance. Annie Kane sang in an operatic style. Ben Davis performed comedy sketches and sang in Billy Emmerson's style with a dialect. Jaquillin and Rosaline had clever songs, and the bill closed nightly with a three-round boxing match between Frank Raphael and Pat Rooney.1) By August 1898, Gardner had moved on to the Monte Carlo Theatre and added several popular young ladies to the roll of singers. The Monte Carlo was probably in a tent as Gardner was preparing to house the show in the theatre for the winter.2) Historian Michael Gates notes that a Frank Gardner was managing a stock company in November 1898. He tried to run a theatre show in the Palace Grand but it proved unprofitable and quickly folded.3)