On the Razzle

On the Razzle is a play by Tom Stoppard (1937-)[1]

The original text

Described by Wikipedia as a "farce [consisting] of two hours of slapstick shenanigans, mistaken identities, misdirected orders, malapropisms, double entendres, and romantic complications"[], On the Razzle is one of a number of theatrical works based on Oxenford's 1835 one-act play A Day Well Spent and Nestroy's longer Austrian version called Einen Jux will er sich machen (1842).

The Stoppard play opened on September 18, 1981 at the Royal National Theatre in London, with Felicity Kendal switching genders to star as "Christopher".

The American premiere featured Yeardley Smith and was directed by Douglas C. Wager, opening at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in September 1982.

In 1999 an off-Broadway production was mounted at the Bowerie Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village.

Translations and adaptations

The original production was filmed by Terence Donovan in association with Channel 4 and released in 1983.[2]

In 1988 Scottish composer Robin Orr created an opera based on the play[3]

Performance history in South Africa

1983: Presented by CAPAB opening at the Nico Malan Theatre 11 March 1983, directed by Ken Leach, starring Pierre Knoesen, Russel Savadier, Greg Latter, Shirley Johnston, Antoinette Kellermann, Keith Grenville, Diane Wilson, Jennie Reznek, Jennifer Ferguson, André Roothman, Gordon van Rooyen, Marlene Winberg, Roger Dwyer, Dawid Minnaar, Libby Daniels, Terry Greyvenstein, David Charles, John Dennison, Lynita Crofford, Marié Human. Costumes by Dicky Longhurst, decor by Peter Cazalet, lighting by Malcolm Hurrell. Stage Manager Lorraine Bellamy.

1983: Presented by NAPAC at the Alhambra Theatre Durban, directed by English director Peter Dews [4] (1929-1997), from 22 August 1983. This production was also taken to Pietermaritzburg.