Difference between revisions of "Crutch and Toothpick"

From ESAT
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(10 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''[[Crutch and Toothpick]]'', a comedy in three acts by G.R. Sims (1847–1922)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Robert_Sims]. Based on a French farce by Eugène Labiche(1815-1888)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Marin_Labiche],
+
''[[Crutch and Toothpick]]'', a comedy in three acts by G.R. Sims (1847–1922)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Robert_Sims].  
  
 
==The original text==
 
==The original text==
  
Based on an unnamed farce by Eugène Labiche ()[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Marin_Labiche], it was adapted into English as  ''[[Crutch and Toothpick]]'', a comedy in three acts by G.R. Sims (1847–1922)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Robert_Sims]. Produced in the Royalty Theatre, London, 1879 and enjoyed a run for 240 nights.
+
Based on an unnamed farce by Eugène Labiche ()[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Marin_Labiche], it was adapted into English produced in the Royalty Theatre, London, 1879 and enjoyed a run for 240 nights.
  
(possibly: ''[[Un pied dans le crime]]'',  une comédie-vaudeville en 3 actes d'Eugène Labiche, représentée pour la 1re fois à Paris sur le Théâtre du Palais-Royal le 21 août 1866. Collaborateur Adolphe Choler, Editions Dentu.)
+
The English title is taken from the music hall expression meaning referring to the "Crutch and Toothpick brigade"[https://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Phrases.htm] A crutch was a handled walking stick and the toothpick is refering to a gold toothpick that fops used to wear as a form of jewelry, so the tight trousered, crutch sticks and gold toothpick characters were dubbed the 'Crutch and Toothpick' brigade. Often of hangers-about at stage door.[https://books.google.co.za/books?id=IAjyQdFwh4UC&pg=PA275&lpg=PA275&dq=What+is+meant+by+Crutch+and+Toothpick+person&source=bl&ots=_3MElKuM_K&sig=thmZ4RgaWvs6MycUxXGOkrfLDZY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjP55KU5e_dAhXB8qQKHU6gDsgQ6AEwEXoECAEQAQ#v=onepage&q=What%20is%20meant%20by%20Crutch%20and%20Toothpick%20person&f=false]
https://libretheatre.fr/pied-crime-deugene-labiche/
 
  
 
==Translations and adaptations==
 
==Translations and adaptations==
Line 12: Line 11:
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
 
== Performance history in South Africa ==
  
According to some sources it was performed in the [[Theatre Royal]], Port Elizabeth, by Captain [[Disney Roebuck]]'s company April 20–21, '''1876'''!  As this is highly unlikely, given the opening of the play in London in 1879, the date must have been later, ''late'' 1879 at the very earliest.
+
Performed in the [[Theatre Royal]], Port Elizabeth, by Captain [[Disney Roebuck]]'s company April 20–21, year unknown. Starring Captain [[Disney Roebuck]] as Alderman Jones, [[Seymour Dallas]] as The Hon Guy Devereux, [[Wilfred Lyndon]] as Cecil Leighton, [[Charles J Barber]] as Jellico, [[Charles Wilstone]] as Fibbins, [[Jack Lawson]] as Mr Jubbins, Mr Williams as Mr Sharpe, Miss [[Agnes Birchenough]] as Amy Jones, Miss [[Eugenie Vernie]] as Dolly Devereux, Miss [[Florence Conliffe]] as Lady Penneeuick.
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 24: Line 23:
 
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Lottie_Venne
 
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Lottie_Venne
  
[[Margaret Harradine]]. 1995. ''Port Elizabeth: A Social Chronicle to the End of 1945''. Port Elizabeth: E.H. Walton Packaging (Pty) Ltd.
+
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32714872
  
 
Laidler, 1926  
 
Laidler, 1926  
 +
 +
Original [[Theatre Royal]] theatre program, dated April 20th and 21st, but with no year stated.
  
  

Latest revision as of 09:21, 14 June 2021

Crutch and Toothpick, a comedy in three acts by G.R. Sims (1847–1922)[1].

The original text

Based on an unnamed farce by Eugène Labiche ()[2], it was adapted into English produced in the Royalty Theatre, London, 1879 and enjoyed a run for 240 nights.

The English title is taken from the music hall expression meaning referring to the "Crutch and Toothpick brigade"[3] A crutch was a handled walking stick and the toothpick is refering to a gold toothpick that fops used to wear as a form of jewelry, so the tight trousered, crutch sticks and gold toothpick characters were dubbed the 'Crutch and Toothpick' brigade. Often of hangers-about at stage door.[4]

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

Performed in the Theatre Royal, Port Elizabeth, by Captain Disney Roebuck's company April 20–21, year unknown. Starring Captain Disney Roebuck as Alderman Jones, Seymour Dallas as The Hon Guy Devereux, Wilfred Lyndon as Cecil Leighton, Charles J Barber as Jellico, Charles Wilstone as Fibbins, Jack Lawson as Mr Jubbins, Mr Williams as Mr Sharpe, Miss Agnes Birchenough as Amy Jones, Miss Eugenie Vernie as Dolly Devereux, Miss Florence Conliffe as Lady Penneeuick.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Marin_Labiche

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

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP18830710.2.11

https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Lottie_Venne

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32714872

Laidler, 1926

Original Theatre Royal theatre program, dated April 20th and 21st, but with no year stated.


Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays

Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays

Return to PLAYS III: Collections

Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances

Return to South African Festivals and Competitions

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page