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Title The Island of St Marguerite
Author St John, John  
Date 21 Oct 1789
Licence Application Date 21 Oct 1789
First Performance Date Not produced.
Document Type Play  
Library/Archive The Huntington Library  
Collection Name John Larpent Plays
Reference LA845
Language English
Document Description This opera alludes to the fall of Bastille in 1789 and uses the story of the 'Man in the Iron Mask' as a vehicle for social commentary on the burgeoning French revolution. The licence was refused until political allusions were removed.
Theme Censorship & Politics  Opera  
Theatre Theatre Royal Drury Lane  
Theatre Manager Kemble, John Philip  
Lord Chamberlain Cecil, James (1st Marquess of Salisbury)  
Examiner at time of Licence Application Larpent, John  
Genre Opera  
Acts Two  
Printed Edition Printed 1789.
Keywords military  French  French Revolution  prison  social commentary  historical figure  execution  censorship  politics  rebellion  
Additional Information Not produced; licence refused. Manuscript title, 'The Iron Mask', erased on title page and there are several passages deleted. There are a number of differences between the printed and manuscript versions, especially in the last act. John Payne Collier in Biographia Dramatica states: It was forbidden in the first instance on account, apparently of the free sentiments it inculcates, considered dangerous in 1789 - -It was afterwards returned to the Manager [Examiner?] with a note from J. P. Kemble stating -- 'The Author of the Iron Mask' (so the piece was originally called) 'flatters himself that he has expunged every objectionable word and circumstance from this little opera' -- Dated Octr. 21. 1789. All the corrections and omissions were made by J. P. Kemble and are marked by him in his hand in the copy sent to Larpent. On the 4th. Novr. a fair copy was sent to the Licenser with all the passages to which he objected omitted. See LA 848.
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