John Bull, or an Englishman's Fireside

John Bull, or an Englishman's Fireside is a comedy by George Colman the Younger (1762 – 1836)[1].

The original text

First written in 1802, it was Colman's most successful play. It was first performed at the Haymarket Theatre in London on 15 July 1797, and first performed in the United States at the Park Theatre in New York in April 1799.

Production history in South Africa

Presented in Cape Town, in South Africa under the patronage of the Governor by the Garrison Players in the African Theatre on 18 August 1815, as a charity performance, intended to raise patriotism among the colonists during the Napoleonic war. As an afterpiece they presented The Anatomist (Ravenscroft).

In the African Theatre on 14th and 16th August, 1822 by the Garrison Players, along with High Life Below Stairs , as a charity performance for shipwreced sailors. An original Prologue was written and performed by Captain Straton, who also played "Roscius", and an Epilogue was sung by Dr M'Donnell in the role of "Dennis Brulgruddery".

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Colman_the_Younger

Bosman, 1928: pp, 147, 179-181

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