Michel et Christine

Michel et Christine is a one act comédie-vaudeville by Eugène Scribe (1791-1861) and Henri Dupin (1791-1887)

The original text
First performed at the Théâtre du Gymnase, Paris, on 3 December, 1821, published 1821.

Translations and adaptations
Translated and adapted into English as "a petite comedy, in one act" called Love in Humble Life by John Howard Payne.

First performed in English at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on Thursday, February 14th, 1822 and printed from the acting copy, with remarks, biographical and critical, by G.H. Davidson (London) in 1830.

In the 1830 published version, the French original is referred to wrongly as Michael et Christine.

Performance history in South Africa
1838: Performed in English as Love in Humble Life on 9 April in the African Theatre, Cape Town by the Private Amateur Party alongside The Vampire (Planché) and Amateurs and Actors (Peake).

1842: Performed as Love in Humble Life in the Garrison Theatre, Cape Town by the Garrison Players on 9 June, and repeated 15 June. It was accompanied by Love, Law and Physic (Kenney) and Make Your Wills! (Mayhew and Smith). Performers included D. M'Donald, Mr Wellesley and Mr Priestly.

1862: Performed as Love in Humble Life  by Clara Tellett and her company  in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 2 August,  with The Maid of the Mill (Bickerstaffe?) and  A Perfect Cure (Sapte).

1867: Performed in English as Love in Humble Life in Mr Ferguson's Saloon, in the Swiss Hotel, Plein Street, Cape Town, by the Young Men's Dramatic Company on 29th June, with The Turned Head.

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