Aladdin Programme, 1885
As you may be aware, Aladdin and his wonderful lamp is this year's January production. But did you know where the story originated?
Many know the tale of Aladdin but it's origins are not quite so familiar. The
story is part of the Arabian Nights, tales from the 10th century, originally
coming from India. Also known as The Thousand and One Knights, the other stories
include Ali Baba, Sinbad the Sailor and The Old Man of the Sea.
Legend has it that they were told to the Sultan by his bride Scheherazade who
told the stories to avoid execution. The previous brides were executed after
the wedding night to prevent them being unfaithful so she began a different
tale each night, promising to finish it the next evening.
The stories were first translated into European in 1704 by French writer Antoine
Galland.
The story was first seen on stage in Covent Garden in 1788 in a version by John O'Keefe entitled Aladdin. In 1813 Grimaldi played the dumb slave, a character that has now disappeared, but was obviously a comic role.
Aladdin Programme, 1885
Widow Twankey was first known as Ching Mustapha, in Aladdin or the Wonderful Lamp, at Covent Garden in 1813. She had a variety of other names including Wee-Ping, Chow-Chow and Tan-kin before the name Widow Twankay appeared in 1861 when H.J Byron introduced it. Twankay was the name of a popular green tea from China.
The first Widow Twankey was played by James Rogers at the Strand Theatre on 1st April 1861, in an extravaganza entitled Aladdin or The Wonderful Scamp.
Original Widow Twankey Headgear