Froufrou

Froufrou is a French play in five acts by Henri Mailhoc (1831-1897)[] and Ludovic Halévy (1834-1908)[1].

Also found as Frou Frou and Frou-Frou in various versions.

The original text

First performed in the Théâtre du Gymnase, Paris, in 1869. Text published in Paris by Michel Levy Frères in 1870.

Translations and adaptations

Translated and adapted into English as "Frou Frou" by Augustin Daly (1838-1899) and first performed in the Fifth Avenue Theater, New York, on 15 February, 1870. Published in New York by Samuel French, c1870 as no CCCLIX of French's Standard Drama. Subtitled "A Comedy of Powerful Human Interest".

Another version, by Webster

Many film versions were made over the years, including a 1914 silent film by Eugene Moore; Frou-Frou, directed by Alfredo De Antoni (Italy, 1918), Frou-Frou directed by Otto Rippert (Germany, 1922), Frou-Frou directed by Guy du Fresnay (France, 1924); Frou-Frou directed by Augusto Genina (1955, Italy), etc.

Performance history in South Africa

1875: Performed as Frou-Frou, or Fashion and Folly by Disney Roebuck and his company in the Bijou Theatre, Cape Town, on 7 May,

Sources

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.203-205

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