Venice Preserv'd

Venice Preserv'd is a tragedy in five acts by Thomas Otway (1652–1685)[1].

(Later written Venice Preserved in modernized versions)

The original text

Considered the most significant tragedy of the English stage in the 1680s, it was first staged in 1682, with Thomas Betterton as "Jaffeir" and Elizabeth Barry as "Belvidera". The play was soon printed and enjoyed many revivals through to the 1830s.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1833: Performed in the African Theatre on 30 November by Mr Heath and members of All the World's a Stage, starring Mr Heath and Mrs Westcott. With Charles the Second (Payne)

1835: Performed under the patronage of Lady D'Urban in the The Amateur Theatre, Cape Town, by the Private Amateur Company on 8 April, with as an afterpiece A Day after the Fair (Somerset).

1862: A scene from Venice Preserved was performed by the Amateurs of the Band on 17 February in the Garrison Theatre at Keiskamma Hoek, with a cast consisting of J. F. Gay (Jaffier), W. Allan (Pierre). Also performed were a scene from Poor Pillicoddy (J.M. Morton) and The Omnibus, or A Convenient Distance The Omnibus(). (For more on contemporary responses to the performances, see the entry on the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot)