King Alfred the Great, or The Magic Banjo and the Mystic Raven

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King Alfred the Great, or The Magic Banjo and the Mystic Raven is a pantomime Harlequin Alfred the Great!, or The Magic Banjo and the Mystic Raven!: is a "grand historical pantomime" by "the author of Bluff King Hal".


The original text

A harlequinade in which Alfred and two associates arrive at the Danish camp dressed as "Ethiopian Serenaders" (wearing black masks and woolly skull caps), Alfred playing a "Magic Banjo", with the other two using a concertina and bones respectively.

Apparently first performed in 1850, and published as Harlequin Alfred the Great!, or, The magic banjo and the mystic raven! by Thomas Hailes Lacy (as a Lacy's acting edition) in 1851.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1863: Performed as King Alfred the Great, or The Magic Banjo and the Mystic Raven (and billed as "a Grand Christmas Pantomime") in the newly refurbished Garrison Theatre, Cape Town, on 28 and 29 December, along with The Goose with the Golden Eggs (Mayhew and Edwards).

Sources

https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/SCSB-6608944

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p. 255 .

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