Sullivan

Sullivan is a three-act French comedy by Anne-Honoré-Joseph Duveyrier de Mélésville (also known as "Mélesville" or "A.H.J. Duveyrier", 1787-1865)[1].

The original text

Based on the short story Garrick Médecin[2] by Joseph Bouchardy (printed in Le Monde Dramatique, 1835/1836), which relates an incident from the life of Garrick. The play was first played at Paris, in the Théâtre-Français, November 11, 1852 and is often referred to as "Sullivan (David Garrick)".

Translations and adaptations

The play was apparently translated into Italian as Sullivan (but often referred to as Sullivan ("David Garrick"), Sullivan, David Garrick or Sullivan - (David Garrick)) and used as a vehicle for the actor Tommaso Salvini (1829-1916) . This was performed internationally by Salvini as one of his star roles between 1870 and 1890.

The Italian text was also translated into English ("Expressly for the American Tour of Signor Salvini and His Italian Company") by Maurice Grau and published in in one volume in both Italian and English in 1873 by G.F. Nesbitt & Co., printers, New York and again in 1880 in Italian by Seer's printing establishment, New York). It is often ascribed to Salvini as author as well, but no text actually confirms this and it is highly likely that this was simply an Italian translation by Salvini of the Mélesville text.

The later English play David Garrick by T.W. Robertson (1829-1871) was - by Robertson's own admission - based on the Mélésville play and became a star turn for inter alia the actor/manager Disney Roebuck.

For more on Robertson's play and South African performances of it, see the entry on David Garrick.