Romany Rye is a melodrama by G.R.(George Robert) Sims (1847-1922)[1].

The original text

Possibly inspired by The Romany Rye an 1857 novel by George Borrow (1803–1881)[2], but - unlike the novel - set in the streets of London, the play was first produced by Wilson Barrett at the Princess's Theatre, London as Romany Rye.

It was performed on 4 June 1888 at the Britannia Theatre, London as The Romany Rye.

There is also mention of a play called Romany Rye, anecdotally ascribed to Wilson Barrett (1846-1904)[3], but as no such text can be found, this was probably due to his central role as the producer of Sims's play, and not the author of a new text.

Translations and adaptations

Adapted as a silent filmed called The Life Line[4] in 1919 , directed by Maurice Tourneur and starring Jack Holt, Wallace Beery and Lew Cody.

Performance history in South Africa

1885: Performed as The Romany Rye in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, produced by Mr H.C. Sidney and partner Mr H.J. Fiedler during the course of the year.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Romany_Rye_(disambiguation)

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

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

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

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

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.381.

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