Raising the Wind

A farce in two acts by James Kenney (1780-1849)[1].

The original text

A play which tells of the efforts of one Jeremy Diddler to live by means of petty swindles.

Kenney's first play, it was first performed on November 5, 1803, and became extremely popular. First published in 1893, and in New York in 1804. Also published in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme in 1815.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1809: Performed in the African Theatre, Cape Town by the Officers of the Garrison on Tuesday 31 January, as afterpiece to All the World's a Stage (Jackman). The performance as a benefit for the "under-officers and soldiers who, without any recompense, had helped in the theatre for the past two season". (Bosman, 1928: p 77)

1811: Performed in Cape Town on 27 July by the Garrison Players in the African Theatre, as afterpiece to Lovers' Vows (Kotzebue/Inchbald). Lt Col Dennis and Lt Prescott signed themselves as "Directors" for the evening.

1815: Performed in Cape Town on Saturday 18 November by the Garrison Players in the African Theatre, with as afterpiece The Mock Doctor (Fielding).

1816: Performed in Cape Town on Saturday 20 April by the Garrison Players in the African Theatre, as afterpiece to The Poor Gentleman (Colman, Jr).

1823: Performed in Cape Town on Saturday 15 July by the Garrison Players in the African Theatre, as afterpiece to Who Wants a Guinea? (Colman, Jr).

1832: Performed in Cape Town on 21 July by the All the World's a Stage) in The Cape Theatre, with A Cure for the Heartache (Morton). According to the Cape Advertiser (13 June 1832, cit. in Bosman, 1828, p.222) the production was in aid of "The Philanthropic Society for the emancipation of slave children", under the direction of a Committee of some of the leading philanthropic gentlemen in the Cape; including Geo. Greig, Dr Fairbridge, Dr Bailey and D.J. Cloete. A very positive review of the productions appeared in the The Commercial Advertiser on 8 and 11 August 1832 (though the names of performers are not mentioned, only roles.)