Nineteenth Century Plays

The World's Classics #533

by George Rowell

This book contains a rare collection of nineteenth century plays, each printed in the form that it was originally performed in, and with an introductory head note by Rowell. Also included is a useful glossary of stage terms and a further reading list. Included plays are: Black Ey'd Susan, by Douglas Jerold; Money, by Edward Bulwer Lytton; Masks and Faces, by Charles Reade and Tom Taylor; The Colleen Bawn, by Dion Boucicault; Lady Audley's Secret, by Miss Braddon and C.H. Hazlewood; The Ticket-of-Leave Man, by Tom Taylor; Caste, by T.W. Robertson; Two Roses, by James Albery; The Bells, by Leopold Lewis and A pair of Spectacles, by Sidney Grundy.

584 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

George Rowell was a British theatre historian, lecturer and authority on the 19th century.

Reviews

[olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wish I could see the plays in person. A lot of the liveliness and humour was lost in text form. Did find some radio plays to accompany Money but other than that I really hope somebody re-animates these works!!!

[Mandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read Jerrold's Black-Ey'd Susan for a class (not from this anthology, apparently the one I own doesn't exist on Goodreads). It's a nautical melodrama with no character development, only a semblance of a plot, and one of the most abrupt endings I've ever read. Basically, I now understand why 19th century British drama is, with the exception of Gilbert and Sullivan, largely ignored by pretty much everyone who reads and/or goes to the theater.

Harsh generalization, I know. Maybe the other plays I have to read will redeem this period/genre for me, though I'm not optimistic.