Exchange No Robbery

Exchange No Robbery is a three-act comedy by Theodore Edward Hook (1788-1841).

(Though one source wrongly credits it to Theodore Brinsley Peake.)

Also known as Exchange No Robbery, or The Diamond Ring.

The original text
According to notes in the 1825 edition, this play's central incident is based on an earlier work called He Would be a Soldier a comedy in five acts by Frederick Pilon, performed in 1787 and published by John Exshaw.

Hook adapted the play and its characters extensively, and his popular version was first performed at The Theatre Royal, Haymarket and published by Wright in the same year. Later also performed at the Theatres Royal at Covent Garden and at Drury Lane, and published again, now with explanatory notes, by John Cumberland in 1825.

Performances in South Africa
1825: Produced in Cape Town by the Garrison Players on 8 October, 1825, using the full title Exchange No Robbery, or The Diamond Ring, and ascribed to Hooke. It was accompanied by The Midnight Hour (Dumaniant/Inchbald). The players included Mr Hanson, Mr Troward, Mr Watt, Sgt Corbishley. Mr Rundle, Mr St John, Howell, Master Canterbury, Mrs Black, Mrs Gouland, Mr Mills, Mrs O'Brien.

= Sources =

Entry on Exchange no Robbery or The Diamond Ring in Google Books

http://www.eighteenthcenturydrama.amdigital.co.uk/Documents/Details/HL_LA_mssLA2165

Facsimile version of the 1825 London edition of the text by John Cumberland, Google E-book

The Literary Gazette and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, Volume 4

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. : pp.188

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