Les Ressources de Jonathas, ou Le Valet à Deux Maîtres

Les Ressources de Jonathas, ou Le Valet à Deux Maîtres is a comédie-vaudeville in one act by Varin and Antonin D'Avrecourt.

Sometimes simply referred to as Les Ressources de Jonathas

The original text

First performed in the Théâtre du Palais-Royal,Paris, on 9 November 1842, and subsequently done in Genève on 12 December,1843 (with the full title, including subtitle, as given here).

Published by Marchant, 1842 and by Dondey-Dupre, 1842.

Translations and adaptations

The title translated into English as The Resources of Jonathas, or The Two Masters and One Valet (or, oddly, as The Resources of Jonatha, or The Two Masters and One Valet) by an unknown translator for the company and/or the journalist reporting on the production in the South African Commercial Advertiser (e.g. on 23 February 1848).

Performance history in South Africa

1848: Performed by Dalle Case Company on 24 February in French (reported in local newspapers under the English title of The Resources of Jonatha, or The Two Masters and One Valet and wrongly ascribed to Scribe, by the company, by Bosman or by his source), alongside a "Grand Pantomime" called Running Mad Through Love (Anon.) as well as interspersed songs and dances.

1848: Performed in the Garrison Theatre by Thêàtre de L'Union on Friday March 31 in French under the shortened title of Les Ressources de Jonathas (still wrongly ascribed to Scribe), alongside a "Great Intermezzo with Song and Dance" and the "tragic scene" of The Last Night of André Chenier (Victor Hugo). The performers included Mr Gale, a local amateur, and the professional leaders of the company, Messrs C. Crosset and L. Victor.