Three Little Maids

Three Little Maids is a musical by Paul Rubens (1875-1917)[1], with additional songs by Percy Greenbank (1878-1968)[2] and Howard Talbot (1865-1928)[3].

The original text

A play about three simple curate's daughters who go to London to work in a Bond Street tea shop, where they find themselves to be the romantic rivals of three ladies of fashion.

The musical opened at the Apollo Theatre in London on 10 May 1902 and later transferred to the Prince of Wales Theatre, running for a total of 348 performances. In 1903 it was first produced on Broadway at Daly's Theatre on 1 September, 1903, later transferring to the Garden Theatre. Various international tours also followed.

The score was published in London by Chappell & Co. in 1903.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1903: Performed in the Good Hope Theatre, Cape Town, by a company that included Myles Clifton, Victor Gouriet, Maud Marsland, Gertie Lester and Norah Brocklebank, brought to South Africa by the Wheeler Theatre Company. The season of plays ran from 10 August to 23 October.

Sources

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

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Rubens_(composer)

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

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

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/three-little-maids-5738

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.416

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