John Bull, or an Englishman's Fireside

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

The original text

First written in 1802, first performed on 5 March 1803 at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden and published in 1805 in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees, It was Colman's most successful play.

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".