The Freedom of Suzanne

The Freedom of Suzanne is a light comedy by Cosmo Gordon-Lennox (1869-1921)[1].

The original text

Founded in part on Gyp's French novel Autour du Divorce (Calmann-Lévy, Paris, 1886)[2], it was written as a vehicle for the author's wife, Marie Tempest (in the role of "Suzanne Trevor").

First produced at the Criterion Theatre in London, opening on 15th November 1904, it had 177 performances, playing till 5 April, 1904. Produced at the Empire Theatre on Broadway by Charles Frohman, it opened on 19 April and had 26 performances.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

1906: Performed under the auspices of the Wheeler Brothers in the Opera House, Cape Town, during the second half of the year, as part of a season of plays put on by a company that included such outstanding performers as Herbert Greville, Marie Housley, Wilfred E. Payne and the six year old Sylvia Edney.

Sources

Facsimile version of the 1886 novel Autour du Divorce, The Internet Archive [3]

https://www.prints-online.com/freedom-suzanne-c-gordon-lennox-14417808.html

https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-freedom-of-suzanne-6091

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502082/

J.P. Wearing. 2013. The London Stage 1890-1899: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. (Second, revised edition, p. 207). Scarecrow Press, Google E-book[4]

D.C. Boonzaier, 1923. "My playgoing days – 30 years in the history of the Cape Town stage", in SA Review, 9 March and 24 August 1932. (Reprinted in Bosman 1980: pp. 374-439.)

F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp.425-6

Go to ESAT Bibliography