A Lucky Hit, or Railroads for Ever

A Lucky Hit, or Railroads for Ever is a one act comedy by Edward Stirling (1809-1894)[1]

Also known simply as A Lucky Hit or The Lucky Hit.

The original text

Possibly an adaptation of an unknown French play, since it is said to have been set in Versailles and featured characters such as "Capitaine Gascon", a "Chevalier" and "Monsieur le Baron".

Stirling's play was first performed as A Lucky Hit, or Railroads for Ever in London on 23 April, 1836 and published by T.H. Lacy, in Volume III of Lacy's Acting Editions. Another version, just called A Lucky Hit, was performed on 1 February, 1858.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1861: Performed in the Garrison Theatre, Grahamstown, as The Lucky Hit by the Officers of the Regiment (North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot) on 28 and 30 December. The cast consisted of W. Malcom Esq. (Duc D'Anjou, King of Spain), Captain G. E. Bulger (Baron de Ville Blanche, a courtier), S. F. Poole Esq (Chevalier de Castagnac, a poet), W. J. B. Martin Esq. (Raoul de Givery, an Officer of the Guard), R. Annesley Esq. (Captain Gascon La Tour, a disbanded officer), J. S. Brougham Esq. (1st Gentleman of the Court), J. C. Little Esq. (2nd Gentleman of the Court), Corporal J. Davies (Baroness de Ville Blanche). Also performed on the evening were Dying for Love () and An Eton Boy (). (For more on contemporary responses to the performances, see the entry on the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot)