The Mystery of the Blue Diamond
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''Tintin in India'' or ''The Mystery of the Blue Diamond'', is a 1941
Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...
theatre piece in three acts written by
Hergé Georges Prosper Remi (; 22 May 1907 â€“ 3 March 1983), known by the pen name Hergé (; ), from the French pronunciation of his reversed initials ''RG'', was a Belgian cartoonist. He is best known for creating ''The Adventures of Tintin'', ...
and
Jacques Van Melkebeke Jacques Van Melkebeke (12 December 1904 – 8 June 1983) was a Belgian painter, journalist, writer, and comic strip writer. He was the first chief editor of Tintin magazine and wrote scripts and articles anonymously for many of their publicati ...
. It features Hergé's famous character,
Tintin Tintin or Tin Tin may refer to: ''The Adventures of Tintin'' * ''The Adventures of Tintin'', a comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé ** Tintin (character), a fictional character in the series ** ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (film), 2011, ...
, and covers much of the second half of ''
Cigars of the Pharaoh ''Cigars of the Pharaoh'' (french: link=no, Les Cigares du pharaon) is the fourth volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the series of comic albums by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Commissioned by the conservative Belgian newspaper '' Le Vingtià ...
'' as Tintin attempts to rescue a stolen blue diamond. The events of the story occur within the chronology of Tintin stories, between ''
The Crab with the Golden Claws ''The Crab with the Golden Claws'' (french: link=no, Le Crabe aux pinces d'or) is the ninth volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The story was serialised weekly in , the children's supplement ...
'' and ''
The Shooting Star ''The Shooting Star'' (french: link=no, L'Étoile mystérieuse) is the tenth volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. The story was serialised daily in , Belgium's leading francophone newspaper, ...
''.


History

Van Melkebeke wrote the first and third act, with Hergé writing the second act. This was the first time that Hergé worked so closely with another author to write one of his works. The play was performed at the Théâtre Royal des Galeries in Brussels, directed by Paul Riga, and found success with the public. The script of the play is considered to be lost. It is possible that the inspiration for the diamond comes from the story about
Hope Diamond The Hope Diamond is a diamond originally extracted in the 17th century from the Kollur Mine in Guntur, India. It is blue in color due to trace amounts of boron. Its exceptional size has revealed new information about the formation of diamonds. ...
("le bleu de france").


List of characters and cast

''In order of appearance:'' * Prime Minister Badapour: Reginald Dourka Romane * Durant and Durand: Marcel André — the two detectives commonly known (in English) as
Thomson and Thompson Thomson and Thompson (french: Dupont et Dupond ) are fictional characters in ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. They are two incompetent detectives who provide much of the comic relief throughout the ...
. Here they are introduced by name for the first time — as "Durant and Durand", although they were later renamed "Dupont and Dupond". * Dr. Mickey Nickolson: Georges Keppens * Ms. Nickolson: Nelly Corbusier * The Maharajah of Padakhore: Franz Joubert * Mr. Chippendale (archaeologist): Paul Riga * Madame Chippendale: Christiane Wéry * Viscount Koulanky, Ambassador of Ruritania: Paul Saussus * Tintin : Jeanne Rubens * Fakir Caudebathimouva Thoubva: Dara Gee * Maharaja's servant: Jean Dusart * ''Rampura'' Lieutenant: Dara Gee


Synopsis


Act one

Pedakhore Palace, India. The Maharaja and the invited persons enter: The Ambassador to Syldavie Count Koulansky, Doctor Nicholson and his wife, and the nearly deaf archaeologist Chippendale accompanied by his wife. A telegram announces the arrival of
Tintin Tintin or Tin Tin may refer to: ''The Adventures of Tintin'' * ''The Adventures of Tintin'', a comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé ** Tintin (character), a fictional character in the series ** ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (film), 2011, ...
. Count Koulansky is delighted. Since the affairs surrounding '' The Sceptre of Ottokar'', Tintin is popularly considered a hero in
Syldavia Syldavia ( Syldavian: ) is a fictional country in ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. It is located in the Balkans and has a rivalry with the fictional neighbouring country of Borduria. Syldavia is depict ...
. A young reporter arrives and the soirée commences. Caudebathimouva Thoubva is to demonstrate hypnotism, followed by a large Indian ballet. At the end of the soirée, the Maharaja has prepared a presentation for those invited on the celebrated blue diamond. However, it is revealed that the diamond has disappeared. Tintin concludes that the thief is amongst the invited. Durant and Durand investigate, but without success. Tintin suggests that those to be questioned continue with him on the voyage to
Syldavia Syldavia ( Syldavian: ) is a fictional country in ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. It is located in the Balkans and has a rivalry with the fictional neighbouring country of Borduria. Syldavia is depict ...
aboard the ''Rampura''.


Act two

Aboard the ''Rampura'', Tintin questions those who were at the events of the night before, but one of the servants of the Maharaja has departed. Tintin decides to send a telegram before the boat arrives in Syldavia.


Act three

In the medieval hall of the Chateau of Syldavia, Tintin, with the use of his telegram, catches the thief.


References


Notes


Sources consulted


Tintinologist.com
*Assouline, Pierre; Ruas, Charles (2009). ''Hergé: The Man Who Created Tintin''. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 218. . * Lofficier, Jean-Marc; Lofficier, Randy (2002). ''The Pocket Essential Tintin''. Harpenden, Hertfordshire: Pocket Essentials. . * Peeters, Benoît (2012). ''Hergé: Son of Tintin''. Tina A. Kover (translator). Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. . (First published 2002.) * Sadoul, Numa (1975). ''Tintin et moi: entretiens avec Hergé intin and I: Interviews with Hergé' (in French). Casterman. . * Thompson, Harry (1991). ''Tintin: Hergé and His Creation''. London: John Murray Publishers Ltd. . {{DEFAULTSORT:Mystery of the Blue Diamond Belgian plays Works by Hergé 1941 plays Comedy plays Tintin Plays based on comic strips Plays set in Belgium Plays set in India