The Virginia Mummy

The Virginia Mummy is a Negro farce by the early blackface minstrel entertainer, Charles T. White (1821–1891)[1] (generally known as "Charlie" or "Charley" White).

The original text

Published by John Dicks, 1849 (as Issue 315 of Dicks' standard plays)

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1865: Performed as The Virginia Mummy in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 25 November, by Alfred Ray and The IOI Christy's Minstrels as part of a "Grand Combination Performance: the Christy's Farewell and the Dramatic Co." It was accompanied by songs, dances and recitals - including a "Grand Burlesque, Trial of Skill or Challenge Dance" and the commedietta called Cousin Tom (George Roberts), performed by the Ray and Cooper Company. The mummy was played by H. Leslie

1865: Performed again by Alfred Ray and the OIO Christy's Minstrels in the Theatre Royal, Cape Town, on 7 December. The play, now wrongly cited by Bosman as The Virginian Mummy, was accompanied by performances of The Lonely Man of the Ocean (Blake) and a performance by Francisco ("famous skate- and clog dancer from Niblo's Theatre, new York"). In this performance, The mummy was played by Alfred Ray.

1870: Performed in the New Lyceum Theatre (i.e. the Oddfellows' Hall, Cape Town, by the Amateur Coloured Troupe at the start of July, as part of a celebration "in honour of the naming of the Docks by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh".