Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials

Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials is a farcical interlude in one act by Charles Selby (1802-1863)[1].

Also referred to as A Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials in some sources.

The original text

First performed at the Theatre Royal Adelphi on 4 May 1857 and published by T.H. Lacy in the same year. Also published by the De Witt publishing house, 1857; as Volume 9 of De Witt's Acting Drama, 1867; and as Issue 9 of Sergel's acting drama, by the Dramatic Publishing Company, 1900.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1865: Performed as part of a benefit for victims of the great storm that had recently (in May) raged by what could be referred to as the Robben Island Amateurs (a cast probably made up of inmates and staff members of the Robben Island asylum). Also part of the programme were Did I Dream It? (Wooler) and The Patent Ramoneur Company (Anon.).

Sources

Facsimile version of the 1857 text by T.H. Lacy, The Victorian Plays Project [2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Selby

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p.282.

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