Crutch and Toothpick

Crutch and Toothpick, a comedy in three acts by G.R. Sims (1847–1922)[1]. Based on a French farce by Eugène Labiche(1815-1888)[2],

The original text

Music Hall meaning of "Crutch and Toothpick"[3] A crutch was a handled walking stick and the toothpick is refering to a gold toothpick that fops used to wear as a form of jewelry, so the tight trousered, crutch sticks and gold toothpick characters were dubbed the 'Crutch and Toothpick' brigade. Often of hangers-about at stage door.[4]

Based on an unnamed farce by Eugène Labiche ()[5], it was adapted into English as Crutch and Toothpick, a comedy in three acts by G.R. Sims (1847–1922)[6]. Produced in the Royalty Theatre, London, 1879 and enjoyed a run for 240 nights.

(possibly: Un pied dans le crime, une comédie-vaudeville en 3 actes d'Eugène Labiche, représentée pour la 1re fois à Paris sur le Théâtre du Palais-Royal le 21 août 1866. Collaborateur Adolphe Choler, Editions Dentu.) https://libretheatre.fr/pied-crime-deugene-labiche/

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

According to some sources it was performed in the Theatre Royal, Port Elizabeth, by Captain Disney Roebuck's company April 20–21, 1876! As this is highly unlikely, given the opening of the play in London in 1879, the date must have been later, late 1879 at the very earliest.