A photographic fix

Abstract

Abstract Mr Frederick Hay's farce, A Photographic Fix, opened at the Victoria Theatre in London, under the Management of Fenton & Frampton, on Saturday, 4th November 1865. In his time, Frederick Hay wrote 33 plays, alone and in collaboration, and one hopes that the present effort is not indicative of his talents1. The cast included Miss Heathcote, Miss Ellen Powell, Mr George Yarnold, Mr J. Howard and Mr J. C. Levey, who were at the mercy of a script that relies on a mixture of comedy of errors, unrequited love, consumerism, and breathless pacing for its humour. A hapless customer (Ebenezer Staggers), who shows up at the studio to demand a refund for faded cartes-de-visite, is mistaken for the photographer (Michael Angelo Chrome) who, unbeknown to either gentleman, is a rival for the hand of fair Miss Caroline Cropp. While the photographer is out, Staggers takes a look beneath the focusing cloth, and is given a swift boot intended for M. Angelo by Miss Cropp's brother, Bob, who distrusts the photographer'...