Samuel in Search of Himself

Samuel in Search of Himself is a farce in one act by Joseph Stirling Coyne (1803-1868)[1] and H.C. Coape (1810–1890)[2].

Also found as Shirkington in South Africa (Bosman, 1980: p. 126), and in at least one source wrongly attributed "Morton"[Advert in The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, Tuesday, February 22, 1859].

The original text

A farce about a character called the amorous "Mr Samuel Shirkington", first performed at the Royal Princess's Theatre, London, in April 1858.

The text first published by Thomas Hailes Lacy in the series Lacy's Acting Edition (English and American drama of the nineteenth century) in 1858 and later republished as no 529 of French's Acting Editions.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1859: Performed on 15 June in the Cape Town Theatre by Charles Fraser and his company (in part consisting of players recruited from the 59th Regiment), along with a selection from Macbeth (Shakespeare), Luke the Labourer (Buckstone) and a comic song written and sung by H. Connerton.

1860: A piece billed simply as Shirkington (no author given) was performed by Charles Fraser and his company on 30 January in the Cabinet Theatre, Cape Town. This was probably the same piece.