Crossing the Line

There are three plays known by this name:

Crossing the Line, or Crowded Houses by G. Almar, Crossing the Line by Colleen Craig and Crossing the Line by Roger Thomas.

Crossing the Line, or Crowded Houses (1833) by George Almar (fl. 1830-1840)

Also found fancifully written as †ing the ———, as well as Crossing the Line, or Crowded House, Crossing the Line, or Crowded Houses! or simply Crossing the Line.

The original text

A comic drama in two acts, also described as a farce in two acts in some editions.

First performed on January 1833, it was published in the same year, as Issue 87 of Duncombe's acting edition of the British theatre ans subsequently as Issue 984 of Dicks' standard plays, and as a French's acting edition.

Published in London by Duncombe, [1833?]

Performance history in South Africa

1867: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, by the Le Roy-Duret Company company on 10 October. It was billed as Crossing the Line (†ing the ———), or Crowded Houses and described as a "Musical farcical Drama in 2 Acts". Also performed were The Ladies' Club (Lemon) and a dance by Miss Clara.

Crossing the Line (1989) by Colleen Craig

The original text

A play in two acts, set in urban Transvaal, South Africa, it describes the experiences of three women: an activist, an artist and a model; exploring contemporary women's experience as social, sexual and political beings.

Shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award in London. Published by Playwrights Canada Press, 1989.

Performance history in South Africa

The Baxter Theatre presented the première of the play in the Baxter Studio in August 1989, directed by Mavis Taylor, starring Belinda Koning (Hannie), Michelle Maxwell (Ann), Ingrid Emslie Rosie), David Haynes (Mark), Gaynor Young (Paula). Design by Brian Collins, lighting by Craig Dobson.

Crossing the Line (2018) by Roger Thomas

The original text

Crossing the Line is a meta-comedy based on real-life stories from those in the male escort industry.

Performance history in South Africa

2018: Presented at the Alexander Upstairs, directed by Jason Potgieter, performed by Roger Thomas and Wojtek Lipinski

Sources

Allardyce Nicoll. 1975. A History of English Drama 1660-1900: Late 19th Century Drama 1850-1900 Cambridge University Press: p. 99[1]

http://www.royalengineers.ca/TurnbullJ.html

UNC Libraries Catalog[2]

http://victorian.nuigalway.ie/modx/index.php?id=103

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 230, 236.

Crossing the Line Baxter Theatre programme, 1989.

https://alex.lateforlunch.life/show/crossingtheline/

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