The Jealous Wife

The Jealous Wife is a comedy by George Colman the Elder (1732 – 1794)

The original English text
An adaptation of Henry Fielding's novel Tom Jones, it was first performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1761.

Translations and adaptations
The play was later translated and adapted into a number of languages, including French, German and Dutch.

The German version entitled Die Eifersüchtige Frau ("The jealous wife") was done by August von Kotzebue (1761-1819) and subtitled "ein Lustspiel in zwei Acten nach dem Englischen". Published in 1820.

A Dutch version by an unknown author was subsequently done, apparently based on the Von Kotzebue version and credited to the German author. It was entitled De Yverzuchtige Vrouw Bekeerd ("The jealous wife reformed"). F.C.L. Bosman refers to the Dutch play as a one act farce, though the only other reference found to the Dutch translation (De Goesin-Verhaeghe) refers to it as a farce in two acts.

Productions in South Africa
1836: Performed in Dutch as De Yverzuchtige Vrouw Bekeerd by Tot Nut en Vermaak on 26 August in Cape Town, as afterpiece to De Kluizenaar op Formentera (Von Kotzebue).

1930: Produced In English as The Jealous Wife by the Cape Town Repertory Theatre Society, the cast including W. Arthur Sewell and others.

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