Jocrisse Changé de Condition

Jocrisse Changé de Condition ("Jocrisse's changed situation") is a comedy in two acts by Dorvigny (nom de plume of Louis-François Archambault, 1742-1812)[1].

The original French text

First performed at the Théâtre des Variétés, Palais-Egalité in 1798, and published in Paris by Barba, in 1799.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Dutch by "V.R." as Jocrisse in Eenen Nieuwen Dienst ("Jocrisse in a new position") and published by H van Kesteren in Amsterdam in 1804 and reprinted in 1815.

Performance history in South Africa

1815: Performed in Dutch as Jocrisse in Eenen Nieuwen Dienst in Cape Town by Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense in the African Theatre on 28 October, plus dances and fencing demonstrations. Performed with De Struikroovers van Kalabrien, of De Onveilige Wildernis (Tréogate).

1826: Performed in Dutch (the title seemingly wrongly given as Jocrisse in een Nieuwen Dienst) by the company Tot Nut en Vermaak, with De Burgemeester (Von Brühl). The performance was originally announced for 10 June, but finally only took place on 5 July, possibly because of the growing anti-theatrical movement in the Cape.

1833: Performed in Dutch (the title again given as Jocrisse in een Nieuwen Dienst) by the company Tot Nut en Vermaak on 12 October, with Julius van Sassen (Zschokke)

1843: Performed in Dutch (the title now shortened to simply Jocrisse in Nieuwen Dienst) by the company Tot Nut en Vermaak on 27 October. Performed with De Kluizenaar op het Eiland Formentera (Von Kotzebue).