Les Deux Gosses
Les Deux Gosses is the name of a novel by Pierre Decourcelle (1856-1926)[1] and the French plays based on the novel.
Contents
The novel
Les Deux Gosses is the story of two you
The novel ("The two kids") was published in 3 volumesby Éditions Rouff, Paris, in 1880, with illustrations by H. Meyer, Jonnard, and others.
French adaptations
Adapted for the stage, probably by the author, Les Deux Gosses was first performed at the Théâtre de lAmbigu-Comique, Paris, on 19 February 1896.
In 1941 Robert Ancelin did another French adaptation of the novel.
English and other translations and adaptations
An extremely popular English version known as Two Little Vagabonds was written by George R. Sims and Arthur Shirley, and first produced at the Princess's Theatre, London, on 23 September, 1896. Clearly based on the recently performed French play rather than the original novel.
Twice filmed, in 1924 as a French silent film directed by Louis Mercanton (also released as "The Two Boys") and as a Ffrench sound film called Les deux Gosses in 1936, directed by Fernand Rivers.
Performance history in South Africa
1897: Performed in English as Two Little Vagabonds by Leonard Rayne and his company as part of his touring repertoire, inter alia opening at the Opera House, Cape Town on 3 August..
1917: Performed in English as Two Little Vagabonds by Leonard Rayne and his company at the Standard Theatre, Johannesburg and as part of his touring repertoire.
1920: Performed by Leonard Rayne and his company at the Standard Theatre, Johannesburg and as part of his touring repertoire.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Decourcelle
https://theatricalia.com/play/dkp/two-little-vagabonds
D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203-205
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