Difference between revisions of "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves"
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| − | ''[[Ali Baba and | + | ''[[Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves]]'' (علي بابا والأربعون لصا in Arabic) is one of the most famous stories from the ''One Thousand and One Nights''. It also the title of many plays, [[harlequin]]ades, [[pantomime]]s, films and so on based on that fable over the years. |
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== The original text == | == The original text == | ||
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==The theatre texts== | ==The theatre texts== | ||
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| + | === International versions === | ||
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| + | The many international stage versions of the story include: | ||
''[[Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, or, Harlequin and the Magic Donkey]]'' (a pantomime presented by Mr Saker at the Alexandra Theatre, Liverpool in 1868) | ''[[Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, or, Harlequin and the Magic Donkey]]'' (a pantomime presented by Mr Saker at the Alexandra Theatre, Liverpool in 1868) | ||
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''[[Chu Chin Chow]]'' (pantomime/musical 1916). | ''[[Chu Chin Chow]]'' (pantomime/musical 1916). | ||
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| + | And of course there have been numerous films (see "Ali Baba" in [[Wikipedia]][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Baba] for example.). | ||
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| + | === South African versions === | ||
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An [[Afrikaans]] version was written by [[De Wet Laubscher]] in 19** | An [[Afrikaans]] version was written by [[De Wet Laubscher]] in 19** | ||
| − | + | [[Janice Honeyman]]'s version | |
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== South African stage productions == | == South African stage productions == | ||
| − | The story has been performed under a range of titles - below a chronological list. | + | The story has been performed in South Africa under a range of titles - below a chronological list. |
1878: Performed as ''[[Ali Baba or The Forty Thieves]]'' from 1-25 January in the [[Theatre Royal]], Cape Town, by [[Disney Roebuck]]. It was also billed under the more complicated title of ''[[Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves, or The Fairy Brilliantina and Harlequin and the Magic Donkey]]'' (according to [[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]], 1980:p. 505, accredited to Taddei and Bottesini, but perhaps also indebted to Mr Saker). Apparently it was a local adaptation under management of [[Sutton Vane|Mr Vane]], scenery by [[A. Cooper|Mr Cooper]]. An interesting "local" facet is that the curtain opened on a scene in the kraal of the Xhosa king, Kreli, with the chief and his warriors taunting "Sir Castle Brere" and his British Flag. The production was a huge success, as also attested for by the fact that there were additional performances consisting of extracts from the pantomime, while a certain [[W.L. Sammons]] did an acrostic[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic] on the name [[Ali Baba]] on 12 January. | 1878: Performed as ''[[Ali Baba or The Forty Thieves]]'' from 1-25 January in the [[Theatre Royal]], Cape Town, by [[Disney Roebuck]]. It was also billed under the more complicated title of ''[[Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves, or The Fairy Brilliantina and Harlequin and the Magic Donkey]]'' (according to [[F.C.L. Bosman|Bosman]], 1980:p. 505, accredited to Taddei and Bottesini, but perhaps also indebted to Mr Saker). Apparently it was a local adaptation under management of [[Sutton Vane|Mr Vane]], scenery by [[A. Cooper|Mr Cooper]]. An interesting "local" facet is that the curtain opened on a scene in the kraal of the Xhosa king, Kreli, with the chief and his warriors taunting "Sir Castle Brere" and his British Flag. The production was a huge success, as also attested for by the fact that there were additional performances consisting of extracts from the pantomime, while a certain [[W.L. Sammons]] did an acrostic[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic] on the name [[Ali Baba]] on 12 January. | ||
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1944: Presented by the pupils of the Ashley Street Primary School in Cape Town's [[City Hall]], 1944, decor by [[Sydney McKie]]. [[Carl van der Rheede]] as Ali Baba, [[Edna Young]] as his wife, [[Eric Titus]] as the Forest Enchanter. | 1944: Presented by the pupils of the Ashley Street Primary School in Cape Town's [[City Hall]], 1944, decor by [[Sydney McKie]]. [[Carl van der Rheede]] as Ali Baba, [[Edna Young]] as his wife, [[Eric Titus]] as the Forest Enchanter. | ||
| − | + | An [[Afrikaans]] pantomime version by [[De Wet Laubscher]].** | |
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
Revision as of 17:55, 7 September 2017
Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves (علي بابا والأربعون لصا in Arabic) is one of the most famous stories from the One Thousand and One Nights. It also the title of many plays, harlequinades, pantomimes, films and so on based on that fable over the years.
Contents
The original text
Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves (علي بابا والأربعون لصا in Arabic) is one of the most famous stories from the One Thousand and One Nights, first introduced to the West by Antoine Galland in his 12 volume French translation between 1704 and 1717. (There is some suspiciuon in fact that Galland may have invented "Ali Baba" and "Alladin" himself.) Both the character and the story have been the source for numerous books, plays, pantomimes, films and other media, especially for children.
The theatre texts
International versions
The many international stage versions of the story include:
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, or, Harlequin and the Magic Donkey (a pantomime presented by Mr Saker at the Alexandra Theatre, Liverpool in 1868)
Ali Baba (a comic opera in four acts by Emilio Taddei, with music by G. Bottesini. English translation by C. L. Kenney, 1871);
40 Thieves (a pantomime performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in 1886),
Ali-Baba (an opéra comique, with music by Charles Lecocq, 1887)
Chu Chin Chow (pantomime/musical 1916).
And of course there have been numerous films (see "Ali Baba" in Wikipedia[1] for example.).
South African versions
An Afrikaans version was written by De Wet Laubscher in 19**
Janice Honeyman's version
South African stage productions
The story has been performed in South Africa under a range of titles - below a chronological list.
1878: Performed as Ali Baba or The Forty Thieves from 1-25 January in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, by Disney Roebuck. It was also billed under the more complicated title of Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves, or The Fairy Brilliantina and Harlequin and the Magic Donkey (according to Bosman, 1980:p. 505, accredited to Taddei and Bottesini, but perhaps also indebted to Mr Saker). Apparently it was a local adaptation under management of Mr Vane, scenery by Mr Cooper. An interesting "local" facet is that the curtain opened on a scene in the kraal of the Xhosa king, Kreli, with the chief and his warriors taunting "Sir Castle Brere" and his British Flag. The production was a huge success, as also attested for by the fact that there were additional performances consisting of extracts from the pantomime, while a certain W.L. Sammons did an acrostic[2] on the name Ali Baba on 12 January.
1878: A "second edition" of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves opened in the Good Hope Gardens on 18 February, with the addition of Mr Harvey's Celebrated Grotesque and closing with the Grand Demon Ballet Zig Zag by the Kickapoos. Performed on and off till 2 March.
1944: Presented by the pupils of the Ashley Street Primary School in Cape Town's City Hall, 1944, decor by Sydney McKie. Carl van der Rheede as Ali Baba, Edna Young as his wife, Eric Titus as the Forest Enchanter.
An Afrikaans pantomime version by De Wet Laubscher.**
Sources
Bosman, F.C.L., Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. 1980: pp. 353, 364-6.
Trek, 9(9):20, 1944.
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