Valentine and Orson

Valentine and Orson is a romantic melodrama by Thomas John Dibdin (1771 – 1841)[1].

The original text

The play is based on the medieval romance of Valentine and Orson, which has been attached to the Carolingian cycle, and has been adapted and re-written in most European languages in some form or another.

The play by Dibdin was first performed at Sadler's Wells in 1794, but became famous through the 1804 production which is described in the published version (by Barker in London, 1804), as "performed at the Theatre-Royal Govent-Garden... And produced under the direction of Mr. Farley. The overture and music by Mr. Jouve".

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1818: Performed by the Gentlemen Amateurs (Garrison Players) with the help of Mr Cooke and his company of ladies, in the African Theatre, Cape Town on 13 June, with The Road to Ruin (Holcroft).

1818: Performed by the Gentlemen Amateurs with the help of Mr Cooke and his company of ladies, in the African Theatre, Cape Town on 11 July, with Wild Oats (O'Keeffe), including a new Dance solo by Mr E. Garoute.