The Dairymaids

The Dairymaids is a farcical musical comedy in 2 Acts and 3 scenes by Alexander M. Thompson (1861–1948)[1] and Robert Courtneidge (1859–1939)[2].

The original text

The music was composed by Paul A. Rubens and Frank E. Tours, and the lyrics provided by Paul A. Rubens and Arthur Wimperis

First performed at the Apollo Theatre, London, in 1906, playing from 14 April to 8 December. It then had a run at the Criterion Theatre, New York, from 26 August to 16 November. Revived a number of times, e.g. at the Queen's Theatre, London (5 May to 18 July, 1908) and the Aldwych Theatre, London (22 May to 5 June, 1915).

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1906: Performed at the end of the year in the Opera House, Cape Town by a "new Gaiety Company" headed by Frank Greene and Maimie Brickwell.

Sources

Entry on The Dairymaids in The Guide to Musical Theatre[3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_M._Thompson

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

D.C. Boonzaier. 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1923. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: p. 426

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