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Introduction
Robinson Crusoe is based on the book, The Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, which was published in 1719. The book is based on the true adventures of Alexander Selkirk, who survived on a desert island for four years before being rescued. Selkirk was born in Fife, Scotland in 1676. He ran away to sea and worked his way up to become a captain. On one journey in the Chilean Sea off the Pacific, he requested to be left on a deserted island. He took with him some clothes, bedding, a kettle, a hatchet, a rifle and some books.
Selkirk was eventually rescued and returned home to live in Scotland. However, he found it hard to readjust to his life and took to living in a cave. He returned to sea where he died from drinking infected water.
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Robinson Crusoe Playbill, 1781 |
The first production of Robinson Crusoe was at Drury Lane Theatre in 1781. The pantomime was called Robinson Crusoe or Harlequin Friday and Giuseppe Grimaldi, father of the famous clown Joey Grimaldi, played Harlequin Friday.
Robinson Crusoe was the first pantomime to be produced in America. It opened at the St John's Theatre in New York in 1786.
One of the most famous performances of Robinson Crusoe, brought together three of the biggest stars of the Music Hall. Produced by Augustus Harris at Drury Lane in 1893 it starred Marie Lloyd as Polly Perkins, Dan Leno as Mrs Crusoe and Little Tich as Man Friday.
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Robinson Crusoe Programme |
