The Dairymaids

The Dairymaids is a farcical musical comedy in 2 Acts and 3 scenes by Alexander M. Thompson (1861–1948)[1] and Robert Courtneidge (1859–1939)[2].

The original text

The music was composed by Paul A. Rubens (Paul Rubens (1875–1917)[3]) and Frank E. Tours, and the lyrics provided by Paul A. Rubens and Arthur Wimperis

First performed at the Apollo Theatre, London, in 1906, playing from 14 April to 8 December. It then had a run at the Criterion Theatre, New York, from 26 August to 16 November. Revived a number of times, e.g. at the Queen's Theatre, London (5 May to 18 July, 1908) and the Aldwych Theatre, London (22 May to 5 June, 1915).

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1906: Performed at the end of the year in the Opera House, Cape Town by a "new Gaiety Company" headed by Frank Greene and Maimie Brickwell.

July 2 - 7, 1917: Staged by the Port Elizabeth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society at the Grand Theatre in aid of the Red Cross and Governor General's Fund. Directed by Joseph Ashman, producer, and H W Brown, musical director.

Sources

Original 1917 Port Elizabeth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society production programme.

Entry on The Dairymaids in The Guide to Musical Theatre[4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_M._Thompson

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

D.C. Boonzaier. 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1923. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p. 426

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