Der Spieler

Der Spieler ("The player") is a German play in 5 acts by August Wilhelm Iffland (1759-1814)[1].

The original text

First performance was in Hamburg, in January 1796 and the text was first published by G. J. Göschen, in Leipzig in 1796. Printed in Vienna by Wallishauser in 1800.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Dutch as De Speler, of Revenge-Praeg by Dirk Onderwater. Printed in Amsterdam in 1799. Second printing by Gartman, Smit and Holtrop in 1807 , and a 3rd printing by M. Westerman and C. van Hulst, 1838.

The Dutch title also found as De Speler, of Revenge Praag or simply De Speler in South Africa.

Performance history in South Africa

1819: Performed in Cape Town on 7 August, 1819 in Dutch, as De Speler, by the local amateur group Men Doet Wat Men Kan, with De Belagchelyke Juffers (Molière) as the afterpiece.

1828: Performed in the African Theatre Cape Town on 18 October in Dutch, as De Speler, of Revenge Praag, by Tot Nut en Vermaak, with Het Zal laat Worden (Meijer) as the afterpiece.