Blind Geladen

Blind Geladen ("blank loaded") is a comedy in one act by August von Kotzebue (1761 – 1819)[1].

The original text

Based on a story told to the author by a friend, the sketch must have been written and first produced sometime in 1811-1812, though the only published version appears to be one printed in Augsburg ca. 1814 by the publishing house Stage.

Translations and adaptations

According to Allardyce Nicoll (1930, p.470 ) the play was translated and/or adapted into English under two titles, by an unknown author/unknown authors.

How to Die for Love!

How to Die for Love! is described as "A Farce, in Two Acts ...Adapted from Blind Geladen, a sketch in one act by August von Kotzebue".

This version was first performed at the Lyceum Theatre 21st May 1812, published by C. Chapple, 1812.

The Blank Cartridge

The Blank Cartridge is apparently the same play as How to Die for Love!, (see Nicoll, 1930: p. 470). There are no South African performances of a play by this name on record however.

Het Losse Schot

Het Losse Schot ("The loose shot") is a Dutch version, translated and published in Amsterdam by Jan Steven van Esveldt Holtrop[2] in 1812.

Performance history in South Africa

1822: Performed in Dutch as Het Losse Schot in the African Theatre, Cape Town on 23 November by Tot Nut en Vermaak, with Makin, of De Ontdekking van Madera (Barbaz) and De Lotery Briefjes (De Florian/Bingley).

1825: Performed in English as How to Die for Love! by the Garrison Players in the African Theatre on the 23rd July, as afterpiece to Catherine and Petruchio (Shakespeare/Garrick) and The Irish Tutor (Glengall).

1843: Performed in Cape Town on 21 July in the Dutch translation as Het Losse Schot by Door Yver Vruchtbaar as their first performance, with Clemence en Waldemar (Pelletier-Volméranges).

1843: Repeated as Het Losse Schot by Door Yver Vruchtbaar, at special request, on 4 August, with the addition of De Gevaarlyke Buurman (Kotzebue).

1858: Performed in English as How to Die for Love! by Mr Gough and a company of local amateur performers in the Harrington Street Theatre on 18 January, with the comic song "Billy Barlow", a "Highland Fling", the farce Mammon & Gammon (Talfourd) and finally Gough's newly formed band of Ethiopian Serenaders.

1874: Performed in Dutch as Het Losse Schot by the amateur company Aurora II on 16 July in the Oddfellows Hall, Cape Town, with Huzaar en Pandoer (Schuitemaker) as afterpiece.