The Fast Coach
The Fast Coach is a light comedy in one act by C.J. Claridge (Jr, ) and J. Soutar () [1]
Contents
The original text
There is some confusion in the sources about this play. Allardyce Nicoll[2] ascribes it to J. Soutar (Jr) and C.J. Claridge (Jr), indicating that the play was first performed at the Olympic Theatre, London, in 1851, published by L.C. Lacy in the same year.
The Adelphi Theatre Project [3] however lists the play as written Robert Soutar(1830-1908) [4] and first performed at the Adelphi Theatre, London, in 1868, and published by Wheat in 1876. The Victorian Plays Project as well as Wikipedia entry on Robert Soutar follows this, and a number of later editions of the play all list Robert Soutar as the author.
However, there is direct evidence that a performance of the play took place in Cape Town in as early as 1860, it would seems to make the 1851 date more feasible, and that the compilers of the latter publications have it wrong, possibly referring to a later revival, perhaps the first at the Adelphi, and thus wrongly ascribing it to Robert Soutar.
Translations and adaptations
Performance history in South Africa
1860: Performed as The Fast Coach by the Charles Fraser and his company in the Cabinet Theatre, Cape Town, on 21 March, with A Wonderful Woman (Dance). The performers included Charles Fraser, Miss Rowlands and Mr Raymond in the leads, with V. Verdict also praised.
Sources
Allardyce Nicoll. 1975. A History of English Drama 1660-1900: Late 19th Century Drama 1850-1900 Cambridge University Press: p.574[5]
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.127-8
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