The Orchid

The Orchid is a musical play in two acts by James T. Tanner (1858-1915)[1], and others.

The original text

The libretto was by Tanner, with lyrics supplied Adrian Ross (1859-1933)[2] and Percy Greenbank (1878-1968)[3] and the music by Ivan Caryll (1861-1921)[4], and Lionel Monckton (1861-1924)[5]. Additional lyrics by Paul Rubens (1875–1917)[6].

First performed at the Gaiety Theatre, London and the text published in London by George Edwardes / Chappell & Co., c1903.[7] and

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1905: Performed in the Good Hope Theatre, Cape Town, opening on 31 March with a company that included Maud Thorne, Sybil Thorne, Daisy Wallace, Myles Clifton and Victor Gouriet in the cast.

Sources

Facsimile version of the published libretto, Hathi Trust Digital Library [8]

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.422, 425, 429, 438.

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