De Jong-Black Company
The De Jong-Black Company was a short-lived theatrical company set up by entrepreneur Frank de Jong and and the playwright Stephen Black in view of the phenomenal success of Black's Love and the Hyphen.
The company's key performers were engaged in England, and included Augustus Wheatman, Herbert Ford, Louis du Cane, Maud Townsend, Kate Walbran, Mabel Norton, Charles Leonard and Constance Young. Stephen Black also made his first appearance as an actor for the company, taking the role of "Jeremiah Luke M'bene" in Helena's Hope, Ltd, under the stage name Edward Radlowe.
The company was set up to tour with a mix of Black's plays and box-office successes from England and opened their season at the Tivoli Theatre, Cape Town, on 12 January, 1910, with Smith (Maugham). .
The company's repertoire also included Love and the Hyphen (Black), Mr Preedy and the Countess (Carton), Dr Wakes' Patient (Mackay and Ord), The Night of the Party (Grossmith), Helena's Hope, Ltd (Black), A Woman of Impulse (Widnell), A Deal with the Devil (Anon), The Shaughraun (Boucicault) and Caste (Robertson).
Although competently performed, the plays did not do too well, the public tending to favour Stephen Black's plays above the imported works.
See also Frank de Jong and Stephen Black
Sources
F.C.L. Bosman, 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.431-434
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