[DICKENS PLAYBILL]
Selwyn's Theatre advertisement for a performance of Cricket on the Hearth. As arranged for the Stage by Dion Boucicault, under the title of Dot! A Fairy Tale of Home, In Three Chirps.
BOSTON PRODUCTION OF CRICKET ON THE HEARTH
Advert for Selwyn’s also announcing “An Hour With Forty Thieves” [p1]; and “Tame Cats”, “She Stoops to Conquer” and “Speed the Plough” [p4].
Dion Boucicault’s adaptation of Dot! [The Cricket on the Hearth] saw an introduction of Shakespearian characters into Dickens’ tale: “Fairies” from Shakespeare (Oberon, Titania, Ariel and Puck) collide with “Home Fairies” from Dickens’ work (Home, Cradle, Kettle, and Cricket) in a fairy realm. It proved popular with audiences and travelled extensively in North America. First produced in 1859 it enjoyed a “long service on the stage”, which was “used as a vehicle for the talents of such stars as Joseph Jefferson and John E. Owens who, between them, must have taken Dot to every possible playhouse in English-speaking America.” (Malcolm Morley, The Cricket on the Stage (1952)). It was produced at Selwyn’s, Boston, for a long run between c.1868 and 1870. This playbill/advert dates from the eighteenth week of the 1868-9 season (c. late December/early January).
Publication includes many other adverts for Boston local businesses including Dr Babcock’s Hair Dressing; Joseph’s Kid Gloves; Holiday Presents from Belcher & Co.’s, etc.
Age-related toning and creasing, particularly on first page (which includes Dot!)
