War to the Knife

War to the Knife is a comedy in three acts by Henry J. Byron (1835-1884)[1].

The original text

First performed at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London on 10 June, 1865, and published by Thomas Hailes Lacy, 1866.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1878: Performed in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 20 December as part of a benefit evening for the Dramatic Recital Society , by military volunteers assisted by Disney Roebuck. Also performed were recitals and dances, accompanied by the brass orchestra conducted by F. Bianchi, and The Spitalfields Weaver (Bayly).

In 1889 War to the Knife was being rehearsed by Miss Beddard's Company in the Globe Theatre in Johannesburg when a chain holding a heavy paraffin lamp suspended above the proscenium came crashing down, setting fire to the venue. The Globe Theatre was completely destroyed.

Sources

Facsimile version of the original text published by T.H. Lacy, Hathi Trust Digital Library [2]

Special undated 1989 commemorative newspaper which consisted of various articles originally printed by The Star in the course of 1889. These particular articles about the fire were not dated but were probably printed on September 8, as it was the day after the fire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_James_Byron

Online Books by Henry J. Byron, The Online Books Page[3]

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: p. 373

Go to ESAT Bibliography