The Momentous Question

The Momentous Question is a domestic drama, in two acts, by Edward Fitzball (1792-1873)[1].

Also found as The Momentous Question, or Woman's Devotion

The original text

Based on a story from George Crabbe's Tales of the Hall (1820), the play was first performed as The Momentous Question in the Lyceum Theatre, London , in 1844 and later in the Federal Street Theatre in Boston in 1847.

Published in Boston by W.V. Spencer, 1856.

Performance history in South Africa

1859: Performed as The Momentous Question by Charles Fraser and his company in the Cape Town Theatre, on 26 September, with act 1 of Richelieu (Lytton), The Croaker, or The Miseries of Human Life (Anon), and songs by F. Vernon and Miss Yates. The evening referred to as "Mr Fraser's Night".

1861: Performed as The Momentous Question by Sefton Parry and his company in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 14 November, with Dominique the Deserter, or The Gentleman in Black (Murray). The evening a Benefit for Mr Bland.

1866: Performed as The Momentous Question, or Woman's Devotion by the Le Roy-Duret Company in the Harrington Street Theatre, Cape Town, on 29th March, with Captain Charlotte, or Hearts and Trumps (Stirling).

Sources

Facsimile version of the 1856 Spencer text, HathiTrust Digital Library[2]

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

The New Monthly Belle Assemblée, "A Magazine of Literature and Fashion"Volume 21, July-December, 1844: p. 60, Google E-Book[3].

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.100, 125, 203, 341, 343

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