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Field name | Value |
---|---|
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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Document linked to |
The Island of St Marguerite |
Copyright | The Huntington Library |