A Lover by Proxy

A Lover by Proxy is a burletta in one act by Dion Boucicault (1820/1822? – 1890).

The play is also referred to as "a comedietta" or "a farce" in various publications.

The original text
It was one of Boucicault's earliest works, probably written 1840 and first performed to moderate success at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in London on Thursday April 21st, 1842. Published in London the same year as No. 102 of Webster's series Acting National Drama.

Performance history in South Africa
1850: Performed by the 73rd Regiment (Garrison Players, generally known as "Captain Hall's Company") in the Garrison Theatre on Wednesday  29th May, with The Lancers (Payne),  My Daughter, Sir!, or A Daughter to Marry (Planché) as well as My Young Wife and My Old Umbrella (Webster). (A confusing misprint on page 398 in Bosman, 1928], or an error in the original source, seems to suggest that the company would be doing a "the Comedietta, in two Acts, by D.Boucicault, Esq., A Lover by Proxy! or My Daughter Sir! (Planché)". Clearly they did two one-act farces, not a two-act farce by two authors!)

1850: Performed by Captain Hall's Company in the Garrison Theatre on Thursday 26 September, with The Sentinel (Morton) and Box and Cox (Morton).

Return to
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays

Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays

Return to PLAYS III: Collections

Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances

Return to South African Festivals and Competitions

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page