The name Belphegor is found as the name of a character and as the name of (or part of the name of ) many plays.

Belphegor the character

According to Wikipedia [1] “Belphegor (or Beelphegor, Hebrew: בַּעַל-פְּעוֹר‎ baʿal-pəʿōr - Lord of the Gap) is a demon, and one of the seven princes of Hell, who helps people make discoveries. He seduces people by suggesting to them ingenious inventions that will make them rich”.

A large number of works have been written using this name in the title, or the character.

Plays featuring Belphegor

There have been numerous plays over the years featuring this character, many using the name as a title. Among them are the following. Those texts that have been performed - or may possibly have been performed - in South Africa are provided with links to the relevant entries. Click on the link for more information on the particular text.

One of the earliest play featuring the character is Belphegor, or The Marriage of the Devil by John Wilson (1627-c1696), a tragi-comedy, the play was produced in 1690.

Paillasse (or La Paillasse in some sources, i.e. "Clown" or "The Clown") by Adolphe d' Ennery (1811-1899) and Marc Fournier (1818-1879) is a French text, featuring a clown named "Belphégor", and it became the source for a number of English adaptations by various authors. A drama in five acts, it was first performed in Paris at the Théâtre de la Gaité, on 9 November 1850. Published in Volume 17 of Magasin théâtral illustré by J. A. Lelong, Brussels, in 1850.

A number of English versions or derivative works, were produced in the 1850's and later - all using Belphegor as main title. Among them are:

Belphegor the Mountebank, or Woman's Constancy by C. Webb, Performed in the 1850s. Translation and adaptation of La Paillasse of Adolphe d' Ennery and Marc Fournier; . First performed at the Royal Lyceum and Arch Street theatres and published in French's Standard Drama, The acting edition, as No. CCCXLI. The play was used as the basis for the 1921 British silent film called Belphegor the Mountebank, directed by Bert Wynne and starring Milton Rosmer, Kathleen Vaughan and Warwick Ward.

Belphegor, or The Mountebank and His Wife a romantic and domestic drama in three acts by Thomas Higgie (1808?-1893) and Thomas Hailes Lacy (1809-1873), based on La Paillasse of Adolphe d' Ennery and Marc Fournier. First performed at the Royal Victoria Theatre, January 27, 1851 and published in London by T.H. Lacy, 1851.

Belphegor the Mountebank, or Pride of Bath by Benjamin Nottingham Webster (1797-1882). This was Webster's own English version of La Paillasse , first performed by Webster in the Adelphi Theatre, London, during January 1851.

The Acrobat by Wilson Barrett is also an adaptation of d'Ennery and Fournier's play. Performed at the Olympic Theatre from 21 April 1891 till 7 May 1891, with Barrett in the leading role.

Belphegor by L. S. Buckingham, An extravaganza in one act

Belphegor by Wilton Jones, a musical comedy by Wilton Jones (libretto) and Alfred Christensen (music), opened in South Shields T.R. on October 20. 1889.