Robert Macaire

Robert Macaire is a French burlesque drama in 4 acts and six scenes by Benjamin Antier (1787-1870), Saint-Amand (1797-1885) and Frédérick Lemaître, (1800-1876)

Also known as Robert-Macaire.

The original text
First performed at the Folies-Dramatiques on 14 June 1834. It was written as a follow up piece to the L'Auberge des Adrets by the same authors, which had first introduced the character of "Robert Macaire" in 1823.

Translations and adaptations
The original 1834 French text was translated and adapted into English as Robert Macaire, or The Roadside Inn Turned Inside Out, a burlesque extravaganza, by Henry James Byron (1835-1884)

Also known as Robert Macaire, it was first performed in English in the Royal Globe Theatre, London, on 16 April, 1870. The English text published by Thomas Hailes Lacy, 1872 ([Lacy's Acting Edition of Plays. vol. 93.)

The French play was later also adapted as Robert-Macaire by Philippe Gille (1831-1901) and William Busnach (1832-1907) and performed in the new version on 1 March, 1889 at the Théâtre Porte Saint-Martin and published by Tresse et Stock (Paris).

Performance history in South Africa
1875. Produced in English as Robert Macaire, or The Roadside Inn Turned Inside Out by Disney Roebuck in the Bijou Theatre on 16 September, with Arrah-na-Pogue, or The Wicklow Wedding (Boucicault). The evening a farewell benefit for Mr Paulton and Mrs Paulton.

1877: Performed in English as Robert Macaire, or The Roadside Inn Turned Inside Out in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town on 28 September by the Disney Roebuck company, with the burlesque Aladdin, or The Wonderful Woman (?)

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