A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock

A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock is a one-act comic drama by William Brough (1826–1870)[1].

This is probably the same play which is referred to as The Phenomenon and The Honest Milkman by Sefton Parry (see F.C.L. Bosman 1980, p.69, footnote 92).

The original text

First performed in the Royal Lyceum Theatre, London, on 13 December 1852. Published by Thomas Hailes Lacy in the same year.

1855: Performed as A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock in Cape Town on Thursday 26 July by Sefton Parry as part of his farewell performance, along with The Lottery Ticket (Beazley) and Buried Alive, or The Visit to Japan (M'Pherson).

1858: Possibly performed as The Honest Milkman by Sefton Parry and his company on 9 April, with The Flying Dutchman (Fitzball), a "Jockey Dance" performed by Mr Gough, and a song sung by J.E.H. English. (The play also referred to as The Phenomenon in a report on the performance.)

1868: Performed as A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock in Cape Town by the Lanarkshire Dramatic Club (amateur players from the 99th Regiment) in the Garrison Theatre, Cape Town, on 26 June, with The Two Bonnycastles (Morton), a dance by Lieutenant Moir and a song ("Sarah's Sunday Out") by C. Hayes.

1873: Performed as A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock in Cape Town by the Garrison Amateur Theatricals in the Oddfellows Hall, Cape Town, on 9 January, as part of a benefit for the widow of W. Keet, along with To Oblige Benson (Morton) and a performance by the regimental orchestra.

1874: Performed as A Phenomenon in a Smock Frock in Cape Town by the Disney Roebuck and his company in the Mutual Hall, Cape Town, on 2 February, as afterpiece to The Serious Family (Bayard and De Wailly/Barnett).

1878: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 18 March by Disney Roebuck and his company, as afterpiece to The Lyons Mail (Moreau, Siraudin and Delacour/Reade), along with a "dance on the High Pedestal" by the The Kickapoos and "Burlesque Extravaganza" called Ill Treated Il Trovatore, or The Mother, The Maiden and The Musician (Byron).