Les p'tites Michu

Les p'tites Michu ("the little Michu") is a French an operetta in three acts by Albert Vanloo (1846-1920)[1] and Georges Duval (1847-1919)[2], with music by André Messager (1853-1929)[3]

The original text

Set in Paris shortly after the French Revolution, it tells of the complications that ensue because the identities of two girls had become confused in their infancy.

First performed at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris, on 16 November 1897, the opera ran for more than 150 performances, becoming an international success.

Translations and adaptations

The text was translated into English as The Little Michus by Henry Hamilton ()[], with lyrics by Percy Greenbank ()[]. It was first produced by George Edwardes and performed at Daly's Theatre, on 29 April 1905.

Performance history in South Africa

1908: Performed in English as The Little Michus by a visiting Gaiety company at the Opera House, Cape Town, at the start of the year.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_p%27tites_Michu

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Duval_(journalist)

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 1932. (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: pp.427-8.

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