Arlequin Afficheur

Arlequin Afficheur ("Harlequin bill-poster") is a "Comédie-Parade" in one act, with songs by François-Georges Desfontaines (1733-1825)[1] (also known as Desfontaines-Lavallée), Pierre-Yves Barré (1749 -1832)[2] and Jean-Baptiste Radet ( 1752-1830)[3].

The original text

First performed in Paris at the Théâtre du Vaudeville, on 9 April, 1792. Published in Paris by Brunet.

Translations and adaptations

Performances in South Africa

1803: Performed on 23 March in the African Theatre, Cape Town by a company of "French lovers of the theatre" (Het Fransche Liefhebbery Geselschap), later referred to as the French Amateurs, with Les Prisonniers de Guerre (Rousseau).

1803: Planned for 11 June but finally performed on 18 June (due to the indisposition of the musicians) in the African Theatre, Cape Town by the French Amateurs under the direction of Charles Mathurin Villet, with Les Deux Jumeaux de Bergame (De Florian) and La Revanche Forcée (Jacques Marie Deschamps).

1804: Performed on 30 April in the African Theatre, Cape Town by the French Amateurs (Het Fransche Liefhebbery Geselschap), as afterpiece to Le Barbier de Seville (Beaumarchais). The evening a benefit for the French Amateurs and his co-performers (possibly sailors from a passing French ship).