Robert Macaire

Robert Macaire is the name of a historical character as well as the title (or part of the title) of a number of theatrical and other works based on the tale.

See also the entry on The Dog of Montarges.

Robert Macaire is a French burlesque drama in 4 acts and six scenes by Benjamin Antier (1787-1870)[1], Saint-Amand (1797-1885)[2] and Frédérick Lemaître, (1800-1876)[3]

Also known as Robert-Macaire.

The original text

First performed at the Folies-Dramatiques on 14 June 1834. It was written as a follow up piece to the L'Auberge des Adrets (1823) by the same authors, which had also included the character of "Robert Macaire".

Translations and adaptations

The original 1834 French text was translated and adapted into English as Robert Macaire, or The Two Murderers of Lyons by Charles Selby Published 1842.

The original 1834 French text was translated and adapted into English as Robert Macaire, or The Roadside Inn Turned Inside Out, a burlesque extravaganza, by Henry James Byron (1835-1884)[4]

Also known as Robert Macaire, it was first performed in English in the Royal Globe Theatre, London, on 16 April, 1870. The English text published by Thomas Hailes Lacy, 1872 ([Lacy's Acting Edition of Plays. vol. 93.)

The French play was later also adapted as Robert-Macaire by Philippe Gille (1831-1901) and William Busnach (1832-1907) and performed in the new version on 1 March, 1889 at the Théâtre Porte Saint-Martin and published by Tresse et Stock (Paris).

Performance history in South Africa

1862. Produced in English as Robert Macaire or The Two Murderers of Lyons in the Eastern Cape village of Keiskama Hoek's Garrison Theatre by the Band Amateurs (North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot) on June 19 by the Band Amateurs featuring T. Smith (Germeuil, a wealthy farmer), T. Paterson (Dument, an inn-keeper), W. Dansie (Robert Macaire, under the assumed name of Bertrand), J. M'Kechnie (Jacques Strop), F. Girton (Charles), J. F. Gay (Pierre, head waiter), J. Mann (Sergeant Loupy), J. Grimley (Louis), B. Sheeran (Francoise), J. Davies (Marie), J. Durney (Clementine). Also produced was George Wood's one-act farce, The Irish Doctor, or The Dumb Lady Cured from Moliere's Le Médecin Malgré Lui

1875. Produced in English as Robert Macaire, or The Roadside Inn Turned Inside Out by Disney Roebuck in the Bijou Theatre on 16 September, with Arrah-na-Pogue, or The Wicklow Wedding (Boucicault). The evening a farewell benefit for Mr Paulton and Mrs Paulton.

1877: Performed in English as Robert Macaire, or The Roadside Inn Turned Inside Out in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town on 28 September by the Disney Roebuck company, with the burlesque Aladdin, or The Wonderful Woman (?)

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1916. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.

Facsimile version of the 1889 French version, [5]

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Macaire

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Antier

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fr%C3%A9d%C3%A9rick_Lema%C3%AEtre

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Amand_(auteur)

Facsimile version of the 1842 text by Selby, Google E-Book[6]

Facsimile version of the 1872 English text by Byron, Google E-Book[7]

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

Go to ESAT Bibliography

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