Jane (1890 farce)
1890 farce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jane is an 1890 farce written by William Lestocq and Harry Nicholls. It premiered at the Comedy Theatre in London in 1890.[1] The play was adapted from Nicholls's 1882 one-act farce, Timson's Little Holiday.[2]
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| Jane | |
|---|---|
| |
| Written by | William Lestocq and Harry Nicholls |
| Based on | "Timson's Little Holiday" by Harry Nicholls |
| Date premiered | 1890 |
| Place premiered | Comedy Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Farce |
| Setting | England, Present Day |
Plot
William Tipson, a servant, wants to settle down with his fellow servant and wife, Jane, but the pair do not yet have the means to do so; they must work one more day for their employer, Charley Shackleton, in order to gain enough money to support themselves with a store. Meanwhile, Shackleton has continually squandered the money he has received from his trustee, Mr. Kershaw. Consequently, Mr. Kershaw decided to stop supporting Charley- until he responded to Mr. Kershaw's letter with the excuse that it is not he who is a spendthrift; it is his wife, who will not listen to reason. Mr. Kershaw has now decided to visit Shackleton and talk to his wife. Unfortunately, Shackleton does not have a wife; this is why he plans to have Jane disguise herself in that role. Jane agrees to go along with the plan, as she and William need the money.[3]
Mr. Kershaw visits Shackleton's home, and Jane pretends to be Shackleton's spoiled, pompous wife. In the meantime, the Pixons decide to temporarily deposit their baby in the care of Jane and William. As Jane is pretending that the baby belongs to her and Shackleton, Mrs. Pixon enters with her husband and, convinced that Jane is trying to kidnap her child, demands that Jane give him back to her. Mr. Kershaw demands an answer to the chaos that he is witnessing, and Jane and Shackleton reveal the truth. Mr. Kershaw decides to continue supporting Shackleton after finding out he is engaged to marry his fiancee, Lucy Norton, on the condition that they wed as soon as possible, and all is well.[3]
Notable performances
In 1892, the play was performed at Macauley's Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky, with Elaine Ellison as Jane.[4]
In 1894, the play was performed by Frohman's Company No. 13 at the Lansing Theatre, Lincoln, Nebraska.[5]
In 1908, the all male Sock and Buskin players performed the play at the Providence Opera House in Providence, Rhode Island.[6]
In 1922, The play was performed at the Williston Theatre, Northampton, Massachusetts.[7]
The Toc H organisation toured the play in 1926/7. It opened in November at St John's Hall, Lambeth, with the run finishing in June 1927 at Park Theatre, Hanwell.[8]
Adaptations
In 1915, the play was adapted into a film of the same name, starring Charlotte Greenwood as Jane, Sydney Grant as William Tipson, and Forrest Stanley as Shackleton.[9]
The 1919 musical Baby Bunting is an adaptation of Jane.[10][11][12]