''When Knighthood Was in Flower'' is a play in four acts by Paul Kester. It is based on the 1898 novel of the same name by Charles Major. The work premiered on Broadway at the

Criterion Theatre The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre at Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has a seating capacity of 588. Building the theatre In 1870, the caterers Spiers and Pond began development ...

on January 14, 1901. It ran for a total of 176 performances; closing in June 1901.Fisher & Hardison Londré, p. 512 The original production was produced by

Charles Frohman Charles Frohman (July 15, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American theater manager and producer, who discovered and promoted many stars of the American stage. Notably, he produced ''Peter Pan'', both in London and the US, the latter production ...

and used sets by

Ernest Albert Ernest Albert, born Ernest Albert Brown, (August 15, 1857 – March 25, 1946) was an American painter, illustrator, muralist, and scenic designer. He was a prolific scenic designer, first in St. Louis and Chicago and then on Broadway. He is conside ...

, Frank E. Gates and Edward A. Morange. The costumes were designed by Mrs. Charles Hone and Harper Pennington. The cast was led by

Bruce McRae Bruce McRae, Jr. (January 15, 1867 – May 7, 1927) was an American stage (theatre), stage and early silent film actor. He was the nephew of actor Charles Wyndham (actor), Sir Charles Wyndham. Early Years Born in India in 1867 of Scots and ...

as Charles Brandon and

Julia Marlowe Julia Marlowe (born Sarah Frances Frost; August 17, 1865 – November 12, 1950) was an English-born American actress, known for her interpretations of William Shakespeare's plays. Life and career Marlowe was born as Sarah Frances Frost at Cald ...

as Mary Tudor among others. Theatre historian

Ken Bloom Ken Bloom is a New York-based, Grammy Award-winning theatre historian, playwright, director, record producer, and author. He began his theatre career in the mid-'70s at the New Playwrights Theatre of Washington. Along with some friends, Bloo ...

, wrote that ''When Knighthood Was in Flower'' was "one of the most famous plays of the decade" and cited Marlowe's performance as a major critical triumph in that actress's career.Bloom, p. 197 Marlowe, however, was initially criticized for taking on a non-Shakespearean role as critics thought the work inferior to her usual repertoire. The play, however, was a huge popular and financial success for Marlowe and the show's producers both in New York and on national tour, and was subsequently revived on Broadway at the Empire Theatre in 1904. The play was parodied in the musical '' The King's Carnival''.Dietz, p. 64-66

References

Bibliography

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External links

*{{IBDB show, id=9271 1901 plays Broadway plays Plays based on novels Plays set in England