''Maud's Peril'' in an 1867 play by Watts Phillips. It debuted in London at the Adelphi Theatre on 23 October 1867, and at

Wallack's Theatre Three New York City playhouses named Wallack's Theatre played an important part in the history of American theater, as the successive homes of the Repertory theatre, stock company managed by actors James William Wallack, James W. Wallack and hi ...

in New York City on 25 November 1867.(25 November 1867)
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''New York Tribune'' (advertisement for New York debut of play)(23 November 1867)
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The Belle's Stratagem ''The Belle's Stratagem'' is a romantic comedy of manners, the most successful work of its playwright, Hannah Cowley. It received its premiere on 22 February 1780,Winter, William. Preface to "Two Old Comedies: The Belle's Stratagem and The Wond ...

'' would conclude that night and ''Maude's Peril'' would debut on Monday)Maud's Peril: A Drama in Four Acts
(Robert M. De Witt, Publisher)
''Illustrated Sporting and Theatrical News'', Nov. 30, 1867, p. 760 The play is based in part on ''Le Forcat'' by

Charles de Bernard Pierre-Marie-Charles de Bernard du Grail de la Villette (24 February 1804 – 6 March 1850), better known simply as Charles de Bernard, was a French writer. Biography He was born in Besançon, member of a very ancient family of the Vivarais, was e ...

.(October 1875)
Old Friends with New Faces
''Lippincott's Monthly Magazine''

Reception

The New York papers did not give good reviews of the play, and it only played for a few weeks. The ''New York Herald'' called it "improbable and absurd in its plot, without any merit in its language, it belongs to the lowest order of sensational plays, and is altogether unworthy of the fine company by whom it is performed."(8 December 1867)
The Drama Legitimate and Illegitimate--The Prospects of the New York Stage
''New York Herald'' But when Phillips' published the play in England he dedicated it "with feelings of deep disgust to the thief or thieves who ... caused a mutilated copy of the work to be circulated in America, to the detriment of its author." He also asserted that "nearly one-third of the Piece being omitted, and the remainder garbled into nonsense by introductions of the plunderer's own."

(official edition) Maud's Peril] Phillips' dismay was no doubt a result of the lax United States copyright laws International Copyright Act of 1891, of the time, which permitted widespread piracy of foreign works.Nicoll, Allardyce
A history of late nineteenth century drama
pp. 70-71 (1975 ed.) The London production lasted for 54 performances. Its reviews were also not very positive, though the ''Observer'' said it was "perhaps the best of Mr. Phillips's dramas."
Retrieved 5 December 2017

Original cast

London, Adelphi Theatre (23 October 1867)

*Sir Ralph Challoner by John Billington *Gerald Gwynne by Mr. Ashley *Toby Taperloy by Mr. G. Belmore *Burrell by Mr. C.J. Smith *Doctor by Mr. W.H. Eburne *Lady Challoner by

Ruth Herbert Louisa Ruth Herbert (1831 – 1921) was a well-known Victorian-era English people, English stage actress and model for the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Actress She was the daughter of a West Country brass foundry, founder. She was also known a ...

*Kate Sefton by Miss Amy Sheridan *Susan Taperloy by

Adeline Billington Adeline Billington (3 January 1826 – 23 January 1917), was an English actress and teacher. Biography Adeline Mortimer was born 3 January 1826, in England. She married John Billington, a fellow actor. Billington made her London debut in ''Cupid ...

New York, Wallack's Theatre

*Sir Ralph Challoner by James H. Stoddard *Gerald Gwynne by Benjamin T. Ringgold *Toby Taperloy by James William Wallack, Jr. *Burrell by George F. Browne *Doctor by W.H. Pope *Lady Challoner by

Rose Eytinge Rose Eytinge (November 21, 1835 – December 20, 1911) was a Jewish American actress and author. She is thought to be the first American actor to earn a three figure salary. Biography Eytinge was born November 21, 1835 in Philadelphia, ...

*Kate Sefton by Mary Barrett *Susan Taperloy by Mrs. John Sefton

References

{{reflist

External links

Maud's Peril
(official edition)
Maud's Peril
(New York publisher text, via archive.org) 1867 plays West End plays