Michel et Christine

Michel et Christine is a one act comédie-vaudeville by Eugène Scribe (1791-1861)[1] and Henri Dupin (1791-1887)[2]

The original text

First performed at the Théâtre du Gymnase, Paris, on 3 December, 1821, published 1821.

Translations and adaptations

Translated and adapted into English as "a petite comedy, in one act" called Love in Humble Life by John Howard Payne[3].

First performed in English at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on Thursday, February 14th, 1822 and printed from the acting copy, with remarks, biographical and critical, by G.H. Davidson (London) in 1830.

In the 1830 published version, the French original is referred to wrongly as Michael et Christine.

Performance history in South Africa

1838: Performed in English as Love in Humble Life on 9 April in the African Theatre, Cape Town by the Private Amateur Party alongside The Vampire (Planché) and Amateurs and Actors (Peake).

1842: Performed as Love in Humble Life in the Garrison Theatre, Cape Town by the Garrison Players on 9 June, and repeated 15 June. It was accompanied by Love, Law and Physic (Kenney) and Make Your Wills! (Mayhew and Smith). Performers included D. M'Donald, Mr Wellesley and Mr Priestly.

1862: Performed as Love in Humble Life by Clara Tellett and her company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 10 July, with The Warlock of the Glen (Walker) and a "clog dance" by Mr Stokes. According to the reviewer in Volksblad (12 July, 1862) a star performer in the comedy was apparently Mr Raymond as the dumb farmer.

1862: Performed as Love in Humble Life by Clara Tellett and her company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 2 August, with The Maid of the Mill (Bickerstaffe) and A Perfect Cure (Sapte).

1866: Performed as Love in Humble Life by the Le Roy-Duret Company in the Harrington Street Theatre, Cape Town, on 20 April, with The Dear Admiral (Anon.) and A Duel in the Dark (Coyne).

1867: Performed in English as Love in Humble Life in Mr Ferguson's Saloon, in the Swiss Hotel, Plein Street, Cape Town, by the Young Men's Dramatic Company on 29th June, with The Turned Head (Beckett).