A Kiss in the Dark

A Kiss in the Dark a farce in one act by J.B. Buckstone (John Baldwin Buckstone, 1802-1879)[1].

The original text

First performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, on June 13, 1840. Published in London by Thomas Hailes Lacy 1852

Translations and adaptations

Translated into early Afrikaans as Het Zoen in die Donker by an unknown translator.

Performance history in South Africa

Often played in South Africa.

1857: Performed as the opening production in Sefton Parry's first wooden theatre in Harrington Street, Cape Town, on 14 September (along with Why don't she Marry? and A Thumping Legacy)

1857: Performed on 24 December by the Sefton Parry company in the Harrington Street Theatre, Cape Town theatre on 24 December, as an afterpiece to Beauty and the Beast (Planché)

1860: Performed as The Kiss in the Dark on the Eastern Cape border by "The Serjeants" (sic) of the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot on July 21, 26 and 27, and August 3. The cast consisted of Serjeant P. Fox (Mr Pettibone), Serjeant H. Charlesworth (Frank Fatlions), Corporal G. Brown (Mrs Pettibone), Lance Corporal J. Smith (Mary), Also included in the evening's entertainment were a solo was performed on the violin in seven different positions by W. Allen. Then a comic song "Solomon Lob" in character by J. M. M'Kechnie, The Lady of Lyons, or Love and Pride (Bulwer-Lytton) and The Wandering Minstrel (Mayhew).

1861: Performed on 3 August in the Garrison Theatre by the Garrison Players ("the non-commissioned officers and men of the 11th Regiment") in aid of the "Distressed Lancashire Operatives", as an afterpiece to The Miller and his Men, with a group of eight African Minstrels performing as an interlude. The person in charge of arrangements was Colour Sergeant Heaven.

1861: Performed in the renovated Theatre Royal, Cape Town, by Sefton Parry and his newly arrived company on 5 August, with The Lonely Man of the Ocean (Blake).

1862, June 17: Performed in the The New Theatre, Port Elizabeth, by Sefton Parry with conductor Paul Reece. "With beautiful new scenery by Mr Cooper."

1867: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, by the 9th Regiment on 22 June, as afterpiece to The Brigands of Calabria (Anon.).

1875: Performed by the Disney Roebuck company in the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town, on 31 July, with The Streets of London (Boucicault). As a benefit for the South African Volunteers First Brigade.

1875: Performed by the Disney Roebuck and his company in the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town, on 7 September, with The School for Scandal (Sheridan) as afterpiece.

1876: Performed in the Athenaeum Hall, Cape Town, on 19 May by the Disney Roebuck company, managed by C. Wilstone, with The Lady of Lyons (Lytton).

1877: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 26 November by the Disney Roebuck company, with Leah, the Forsaken (Mosenthal).

1877: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 26 November by the Disney Roebuck company, with The Serf, or Love Levels All (Taylor).

1906: Performed in Dutch (or early Afrikaans) as Het Zoen in die Donker in the Good Hope Theatre, Cape Town, by the Cutler Comedy Company on 2 March, with Catching a Count (Anon.) and "A Farce in the Taal" (i.e. an untitled farce in Afrikaans)

Sources

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

https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/100406655

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Moore%2C%20John%2C%201814%2D1893

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 57-66, 98, 167, 260, 326-7, 339, 363, 381, 481.

North Lincoln Sphinx Vol 1, No 1. January 1, 1860.

Eastern Province Herald, June 17, 1862.

Go to ESAT Bibliography