Les Deux Grenadiers, ou Les Quiproquos

Les Deux Grenadiers, ou Les Quiproquos ("the two grenadiers or the tit for tats") is a French comedy in three acts by Joseph Patrat (1733-1801)[1].

Original play

Les Deux Grenadiers, ou Les Quiproquos was first performed at the Théâtre de la Cité, and repeated at the Théâtre Montansier in the 1790s. Published in Paris by Barba in 1796, then with changes and corrections in Troyes by Gobelet in 1798/99.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Dutch as De Twee Grenadiers, of Het Misverstand (The two grenadiers, or the misunderstanding") by Hendrik Kup in 1805. The Dutch version published in Amsterdam by J.C. van Kesteren, 1838.

This is probably the same text which is sometimes found listed as Het Misverstand by companies such as Door Ijver Bloeit de Kunst. (In this respect, see Bosman, 1980 for example. However, not to be confused with a number of Dutch plays called Een Misverstand , i.e. "a misunderstanding".)

Performance history in South Africa

Saturday, July 9, 1825: Performed at the African Theatre in Cape Town "Under the Patronage of His Excellency, the Governor, and Lady Charles Somerset." by The South African Amateur Company "under the motto Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense" as Luim en Goedhartigheid or Elk is Een Dief in zyne Nering. "In one act, with several songs. Tickets for the Pit and Gallery, and also for Strangers and Standing Places (the latter at 5 Rds.) may be had of Mr Rouviere, Hout-street, on the day of performance, from 9 till 5 o'clock. Doors open at 6, and the performance commence at 7 o'clock precisely. No tickets will be sold at the Doors."

1826: Performed in Cape Town in Dutch as De Twee Grenadiers, of Het Misverstand by Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense on 30 April, along with the one act tragedy Het Toegemetselde Venster by August von Kotzebue.

1867: Performed in Dutch as Het Misverstand by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town on 6 September, with Natuur en Pligt, of De Zoon, Rechter over zijnen Vader (Pelletier-Volméranges).