Perfection, or The Lady of Munster

Perfection, or The Lady of Munster is a comedy in one act by Thomas Haynes Bayly (1797-1839)[1]

F.C.L. Bosman (1928) often has the author's name as "Bayley", possibly an error in his sources on South African performances.

The original play

First performed Thursday March 25, 1830 at the Drury Lane theatre, with Madame Vestris. Published in London by Thomas Hailes Lacy in 1831.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1854: Performed as Perfection in Cape Town by the Garrison Players in the Garrison Theatre on 2 May 1854, with Mr Salter as "Charles Paragon", Corporal Bishop, Mr Belleville as "Susan", Mr Henslowe and "A Lady" as "Kate". It was part of a programme also including St Cupid, or Dorothy's Fortune (Jerrold) and The Bloomer Costume (Stirling).

1859: Performed as Perfection by Sefton Parry and his company in the Cape Town Theatre on 13 December, with The Rose of Castile, or The Queen and the Muleteer (Harris and Falconer).

1873: Performed as Perfection, or The Lady of Munster by the Disney Roebuck company in the Mutual Hall (concert hall of the Mutual Building) in Cape Town, playing on 26-29 November, as afterpiece to David Garrick (Robertson) .

1873: Performed as Perfection by the Disney Roebuck company in the Mutual Hall (concert hall of the Mutual Building) in Cape Town, on 11 December, as afterpiece to Pygmalion & Galatea (Robertson) .

1875: Performed as Perfection by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town, on 18 March, accompanied by East Lynne (Wood) and a dance by Maggie Duggan.

1875: Performed as Perfection, or The Lady of Munster by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town, on 28 June, accompanied by Leah (Daly) and a recital of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven by Sutton Vane.

1876: Performed as Perfection by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Theatre Royal, Burg Street, Cape Town, on 22 May, accompanied by Richelieu (Bulwer-Lytton) and a performance by the brass band of the 24th Regiment. The evening a benefit for Sutton Vane.

1877: Performed as Perfection by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 7 September, with East Lynne (Wood)

1878: Performed as Perfection by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 10 July, with An Unequal Match (Taylor) The evening a benefit for Constance Young.

Sources

http://www.worldcat.org/title/perfection-or-the-lady-of-munster-a-comedy-in-one-act/oclc/41353558

Dramatic Magazine, Volumes 2-3 : p. 83:Google eBook[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Haynes_Bayly

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [3]: pp. 78, 306, 309, 310, 322, 325, 339, 360, 370, 406-7,

Go to ESAT Bibliography