A Roland for an Oliver

A Roland for an Oliver is a two-act farce by Thomas Morton (1764 – 1838)[1].

The original play

First performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, on April 29, 1819. Published by John Miller, London in 1819.

1826: Was listed for performance on 20 October, by the Garrison Players, with Blue Devils and Catherine and Petruchio. However, this particular performance did not take place.

1826: Performed on 4 November in the The African Theatre, Cape Town by the English Theatricals company (the former Garrison Players) with Catherine and Petruchio (Shakespeare) and Silvester Daggerwood (Colman Jr.). This was a benefit performance for Mrs O'Brien and Sgt Corbishley.

Late 1820's: According to an undated handbill, it was also produced in the Cape Town barracks, along with Poole's Paul Pry, some time in the late 1820s by a group of 72 Highlanders calling themselves The Highland Amateur Party. The cast included P. Smith, W. Williamson, A. Schofield, J.Foster, W. Cameron, T. Caldwell, G. Milne, T. Norrie, A. Ramsay.