Der Trunkenbold

Der Trunkenbold ("The drunkard") is a German comedy in two acts by August Friedrich Ferdinand Von Kotzebue (1761-1819)[1].

The original text

Called "eine schnurre in zwei akten" ("an entertaining anecdote in two acts") in the original. Apparently based on and feely adapted from Jeppe vom Berge, oder Der verwandelte Bauer (a comedy in 5 acts)by Ludwig Holberg, in its turn apparently derived from the Danish play by Robert Prutz.

The German text published by Warde, 1805.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into Dutch by J. S. Van Esveldt Holtrop as De Dronkaard, of De Boer Edelman in 1805. Sometimes simply called De Dronkaart, after the German original, and also spelled De Dronkaard in some South African records.

Performance history in South Africa

1824: Performed in Dutch as De Dronkaart by Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense in the African Theatre, Cape Town on 29 June, with Hugo de Groot (Von Kotzebue).

1831: The Dutch text performed as De Dronkaard by Tot Nut en Vermaak in Cape Town on 10 September, with De Graaf van Waltron, of De Subordinatie (Möller).

1835: The Dutch text performed in the Liefhebbery Toneel, Cape Town as De Dronkaard by the children's company Kunst en Smaak on 24 October, with Incle en Yariko (Colman Jr.). Both plays repeated on 30 October.

1844: The Dutch text performed in Cape Town on 5 June by the joint company "Het Privaat Hollandsch Tooneellievend Gezelschap" playing under the united motto of Tot Nut en Vermaak and Door Yver Vruchtbaar, as their first performance, along with Natuur en pligt, of de zoon rechter over zijnen vader (Pelletier-Volméranges)

1854: The Dutch text performed by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in Cape Town in the Bree Street Theatre (cnr of Dorp Street), on 12 October, with Adelaide van Beyeren ( Loaisel Tréogate) as afterpiece.

1865: The Dutch text performed by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in Cape Town in the Bree Street Theatre (cnr of Dorp Street), on 12 October, with Adelaide van Beyeren ( Loaisel Tréogate) as afterpiece. The evening's entertainement was undertaken as a benefit performances to raise funds for the Free State burghers who had suffered because of the Free State–Basotho Wars (1858-1868)[2].

1877: Produced at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on 14 August by De Eendracht, alternating with a children's ballet devised by Jno Combrink, as afterpiece to Adelaide van Beijeren.