Miß Fanny, oder Der Schiffbruch

Miß Fanny, oder Der Schiffbruch ("Miss Fanny or the shipwreck") is a German tragedy in five acts by Johann Christian Brandes (1735-1799)[1]

The original text

According to F.C.L. Bosman (1928) this may possibly have been a translation and adaptation of the German tragedy in 5 acts by Johann Christian Brandes. Originally written and published in 1766 as Miß Fanny, oder Der Schiffbruch, later renamed play Der Schiffbruch ("The Shipwreck") , and published in 1791.

Translations and adaptations

According to F.C.L. Bosman (1928) this may possibly have been the source for De Schipbreuk, of De Korsaren op het Eiland Ivica is a three-act "ballet" with music, in Dutch. Described by one viewer (James Prior , 1820) as "a medley of tragedy, comedy, farce, pantomime and dance".

He also suggests that the latter was in turn adapted and translated into English as a "Ballet" entitled The Shipwreck.

Performance history in South Africa

1810: De Schipbreuk, of De Korsaren op het Eiland Ivica (unattributed) was performed as a ballet in three acts in the African Theatre, Cape Town by "een gezelschap van jonge toneel- en dansliefhebbers" ("a young company of theatre and dance lovers") as a charity event on 18 and 25 August. (The group was possibly related to a similar French company active in Cape Town at the time.)

1815: A "Ballet" entitled The Shipwreck (attributed to Brandes) was presented, as afterpiece to The Padlock (Bickerstaffe), done by Mr Cuerton and his company in the African Theatre, Cape Town, on 27 May.