The Pilot, or a Tale of the Sea

A play by Edward Fitzball, written in 1824. It was an adaption of the historical novel by James Fenimore Cooper (1823). First performed at the Park Theatre on October 29, 1824.

Fitzball also wrote a burlesque version that takes place off the American coast with British sailors and which makes the ridiculous characters Yankees. It was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain as The Pilot, or a Storm at Sea and, styled "A Nautical Burletta", it was first produced on October 31, 1825 at the Adelphi Theatre. This version, though hated by the Americans, had great success in England.

Performance history in South Africa

1833: First performed in cape Town in the African Theatre by the All the World's a Stage on Monday 6 May, 1833, as afterpiece to The Illustrious Stranger, or Married or Buried (Kenney and Millingen). The production was a benefit for Mr Whiley.