Foul Play

Event Information

Venue(s):
New-York Theatre (1866-69)

Proprietor / Lessee:
Alvin Lloyd
Broadway between Prince and Houston Sts. Buckley's Hall

Manager / Director:
D. H. Harkins

Event Type:
Play With Music

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
30 August 2018

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

03 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
04 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
05 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
06 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
07 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM
08 Aug 1868, 2:00 PM
08 Aug 1868, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Text Author: Boucicault, Reade
Participants:  Mary Wells (role: Nancy);  James G. Burnett (role: General Rodeston);  Welsh Edwards (role: Michael Penfield);  McKee Rankin (role: Arthur Wardlaw);  D. H. Harkins (role: Rev. Robert Penfield);  Louisa Hawthorne (role: Helen Rolleston);  M. [actor] Lanagan (role: Mr. Wardlaw);  Jane [actress] Fisher (role: Sarah);  John B. Studley (role: Wylie);  A. H. (Dolly) Davenport
2)
Composer(s): Tissington

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-York Times, 19 July 1868, 5.
2)
Announcement: New York Herald, 24 July 1868, 5.
3)
Article: New-York Times, 24 July 1868, 4.
4)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 25 July 1868, 126.
5)
Announcement: New York Sun, 29 July 1868, 2.
6)
Article: New-York Times, 30 July 1868, 4.
7)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 01 August 1868, 134.
8)
Announcement: New York Post, 01 August 1868, 2.

Includes cast list.

9)
Announcement: New-York Times, 03 August 1868, 4.
10)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 03 August 1868, 7.

"First time in America."

11)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 03 August 1868, 4.
12)
Review: New-York Times, 04 August 1868, 4.

No mention of music.

New-York Theatre.

The dramatization of ‘Foul Play’ made for this country was produced at this theater last evening. A very liberal audience received it in a liberal spirit, kindly overlooked the drawbacks natural to a first performance, and rewarded some of the scenes with applause that was decidedly hearty… A discussion of the dramatic worth of the work may go over for another occasion.”

13)
Announcement: New-York Times, 05 August 1868, 4.

“New-York Theatre.

‘Foul Play’ was acted for the second time last evening, at this theatre, to a good audience. The gentleman who has been accused of doctoring the two English dramatizations for the American market, sends us the following communication:

 

New-York Theatre, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 1868.

To the Editor of the New-York Times:

In your notice of the drama of ‘Foul Play’ this morning, I find my name mentioned as having ‘complied’ the production from Mr. Dion Boucicault’s London version and Mr. Chas. Reade’s Leeds ditto.

The statement is an erroneous one, and I beg you will kindly contradict the same. The play produced last evening was received from Mr. Harry Palmer, as accredited ‘Agend and Literary Proprietor’ for the United States, and the names of Messrs. Boucicault and Reade figure as the authors. With respect, I remain, truly yours,

FRED. G. MAEDER.

 

This, of course, ought to clear Mr. Maeder of a grave charge, and it is certain the dramatization of Mr. Reade’s novel produced in this City, betrays more amateurish handling than Mr. Maeder, after his experience, should show. Still, the momentous question remains, who is it that has spoiled two good plays to make one bad one?”

14)
Review: New York Post, 06 August 1868, 2.

“‘Foul Play’ improves greatly on repetition. The first performances were really not much more than rehearsals, but the stage machinery now runs with comparative smoothness, and the acting is more animated. The present management seem determined to win a better class of patrons than have heretofore patronized the New York.”

15)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 08 August 1868, 142.
16)
Announcement: New-York Times, 08 August 1868, 4.
17)
Review: New-York Times, 09 August 1868, 5.

Despite an afternoon deluge of rain on Saturday afternoon, “The New-York Theatre had the largest audience on the west side, but even ‘Foul Play’ could not tempt many out in such foul weather.”

18)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 09 August 1868, 4.

Lengthy review.

19)
Review: New-York Times, 10 August 1868, 4.

Long review, little mention of music: “The music which breaks in upon this torrid picture is also pleasing—birds of gay plumage are seen upon the wing before us and ‘tis but natural we should hear their songs. Mr. Schell and Mr. Tissington have succeeded in this scene in assisting the dramatists at a moment when assistance was not to be scorned, and the combination secures the play the greatest success at this point.”

20)
Review: New York Clipper, 15 August 1868, 150.

No mention of music.

21)
Article: New York Clipper, 15 August 1868, 150.

Describes backstage scuffle between Harkins and one of the stage carpenters.