Volsan, of De Menschenhater Door Tegenspoed

Volsan, of De Menschenhater Door Tegenspoed ("Volsan, or the misanthrope through misfortune") is a Dutch play in three acts by J.D. Villenhoven.

The original text

Described by F.C.L. Bosman (1928: p. 233) as a translation of Volsan, ou Le Misanthrope Par Infortune, a French original by Villenhoven. However, the two versions of the play - both published in Amsterdam - suggest the opposite: The Dutch version having been published in 1797 and the French in 1798 by J. Dôll.

No information could be found about the author beyond references to this one play, hence it would appear that he (or she) may have been a bilingual Belgian playwright, who wrote and published the play in both languages.

Performance history in South Africa

1822: Performed in Dutch by Tot Nut en Vermaak in the African Theatre, Cape Town, with De Deserteur (Von Kotzebue). Originally announced for 21 September, but postponed to 24 September.

1843: Performed in Dutch by Tot Nut en Vermaak in the African Theatre, Cape Town, on 13 September, with Het Misverstand, of Elk is Een Dief in Zyne Neering (). Originally announced for , but postponed to 24 September.

1843: Performed in Dutch by Tot Nut en Vermaak in the African Theatre, Cape Town, on 13 September, with De Deserteur (Von Kotzebue). Originally announced for , but postponed to 24 September.

1846: Performed in Cape Town in Dutch by Tot Nut en Vermaak en Door Yver Vruchtbaar on 30 April, with De Kalkoen van Breda (Van Ray).