Paul Pry

The character "Paul Pry" became a hugely popular figure in nineteenth century Britain, as a result of a spate of theatrical works which surfaced in the late 1820s.

There are well-known two farces by this name, the original one written by John Poole in 1825, and another, written in reaction to its enormous success, by Douglas Jerrold in 1826. In the same year an equestrian version called Paul Pry on Horseback, or A Peep at the Election was also done at Astley's Royal Amphitheatre.

Paul Pry by John Poole

A farce in three acts.

The original play

This is the best known play by John Poole. It premiered in London on 13 September 1825 at the Haymarket Theatre and ran 114 performances. The play maintained its popularity till the 1870s.

Performances in South Africa

According to an undated handbill, it was most likely this text that was produced (under the title Paul Pry!!!) in the Cape Town barracks, along with Morton's A Roland for an Oliver some time in the late 1820s by a group of 72 Highlanders calling themselves The Highland Amateur Party. The cast included S. Stewart, W. Williamson, A. Schofield, J.Foster, W. Cameron, T. Caldwell, G. Milne, T. Norrie, A. Ramsay.

Paul Pry by Douglas Jerrold

A farcical comedy in Three Acts written by Douglas Jerrold (1803 – 1857), and originally called “Mr Paul Pry, or I Hope I Don’t Intrude”

The original text

Jerrold’s first play as resident dramatist at the theatre, it was written in a week in response to the success of Poole’s play, and was first performed at the Royal Coburg Theatre, 10 April 1826 under its full title of Mr Paul Pry, or I Hope I Don’t Intrude. In later editions it was simply called Paul Pry, as in the text used in the performance on November 27 1836, published by John Dicks.

Performances in South Africa

According to an undated handbill, it was most likely this text that was produced (under the title Paul Pry!!!) in the Cape Town barracks, along with Morton's A Roland for an Oliver some time in the late 1820s by a group of 72 Highlanders calling themselves The Highland Amateur Party. The cast included S. Stewart, W. Williamson, A. Schofield, J.Foster, W. Cameron, T. Caldwell, G. Milne, T. Norrie, A. Ramsay.

Sources

Bosman, 1928: pp.229

David Vincent, 'I Hope I Don't Intrude': Privacy and Its Dilemmas in Nineteenth-Century Britain, OUP, 2015.:pp.3-15[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Pry_(play)

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