Le Capitaine Roquefinette

Le Capitaine Roquefinette is a comedie-vaudeville I two acts by Dumanoir (1806-1865)[1] and Adolphe d'Ennery (1811-1899)[].

The original text

Probably a burlesque version of scenes and characters from the novel Le Chevalier d'Harmental by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet (published in 1843), it was first performed in Paris at the Théâtre des Variétés 27 October 1843. A full dramatisation of the original novel – in five acts, a prologue and ten tableaux – was first performed under its own title on 16 July 1849 at the Théâtre-Historique in Paris.

The vaudeville version was published by in French by Lacombe (Volume 23; Volume 44)[2] in 1843 and by J-A Lelong in Brussels in 1844.

Translations and adaptations

It appears to have been translated and adapted into English as a one act comedy called A Lucky Hit by Edward Stirling (1809-1894)[3]. First performed as A Lucky Hit in London on 1 February, 1858. This was clearly a translation and adaptation of the French play, since the 1861 South African performance (iunder the title of The Lucky Hit) indicates that it is also set in Versailles and features the same characters as the French work.

However, it appears Sterling had earlier written another play and used the same title. A Lucky Hit, or Railroads for Ever was first performed as in London on 23 April, 1836 and published by T.H. Lacy, in Volume III of Lacy's Acting Editions. As the French play was only written in 1843, it is unlikely to have been the same work, unless the French play was in fact an adaptation of the English work.

Performance history in South Africa

1861: Performed in the Garrison Theatre, Grahamstown, as The Lucky Hit by the Officers of the Regiment (North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot) on 28 and 30 December. The cast consisted of W. Malcom Esq. (Duc D'Anjou, King of Spain), Captain G. E. Bulger (Baron de Ville Blanche, a courtier), S. F. Poole Esq (Chevalier de Castagnac, a poet), W. J. B. Martin Esq. (Raoul de Givery, an Officer of the Guard), R. Annesley Esq. (Captain Gascon La Tour, a disbanded officer), J. S. Brougham Esq. (1st Gentleman of the Court), J. C. Little Esq. (2nd Gentleman of the Court), Corporal J. Davies (Baroness de Ville Blanche). Also performed on the evening were Dying for Love () and An Eton Boy (). (For more on contemporary responses to the performances, see the entry on the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot)