The Mysteries of Udolpho is the name of an immensely popular and influential Gothic novel by Ann Radcliffe (Ann Ward, 1764-1823)[1] and the source of a large number of plays.

The Mysteries of Udolpho (1794) - the original text

The Mysteries of Udolpho was Radcliffe's fourth and most successful novel and is often cited as the archetypal Gothic novel. It tells of the suffering of Emily St. Aubert, whose misadventures include the death of her mother and father, a terrifying stay in a haunted castle, and the evil deeds of an Italian brigand.

The novel was first published by G. G. and J. Robinson of London and appeared in four volumes on 8 May 1794. It was later immortalized in a way by the prominent role Miss Radclifffe's work plays in Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey.

Dramatised versions of the novel

The novel has been dramatized a number of times, under various titles. The first appears to have been an English operatic version by Andrews, followed by three French adaptations and another English one, all before the turn of the 19th century. The French melodrama by Duval seems to have been especially influential.

English versions

The Mysteries of the Castle by Andrews (1795)

Described as "a dramatic tale, in three acts" by Miles Peter Andrews (1742-1814)[2], aided Frederick Reynolds (1764-1841)[3], it is also referred to as an opera in some sources. It was possibly the earliest dramatized version of the novel, but was in fact a partly original work, based on The Mysteries of Udolpho (e.g. using "Montoni" as character) but also incorporating elements from the novel A Sicilian Romance (Radcliffe, 1790)[4]. The work was first performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1 January, 1795, and was published in London by T. N. Longman in 1795.

The Mysteries of Udolpho, or The Phantom of the Castle by Bayliss (1804)

This drama in five acts by John Baylis (fl 1800), is a translation of Le Chateau des Appenins, ou Le Fantôme Vivant by Pixerecourt (1799). Never performed in its time, it was published in 1804.

The Castle of Udolpho by an unknown author (1808)

This is a five act operatic version, published in The Dramatic Appellant, London by T. and R. Hughes, 1808. No performances have been noted.

French versions

The novel has been dramatized a number of times in French, under various titles. Particularly influential were two French adaptations which were both staged in Paris in 1798. Many versions in other languages appear to derive from them.

Le Testament, ou Les Mystères d'Udolphe by La Martelière (1797)

A French prose drama in five acts by Jean Henri Ferdinand la Martelière (1761-1830)[5]. First published 1797 by Fages and performed in Paris, at the Théatre Louvois, on 10 July, 1798.

Montoni, ou le Château d'Udolphe by Duval (1798)

A French melodrama in 5 acts by Alexandre Duval (1767-1842)[6], it was first performed at the Théâtre de la Cité-Variétés, Paris, on 28 August, 1798. According to the sources, this appears to have become the version most often adapted into other languages.

Later performed at the Théatre de S.M. l'Impératrice, on 29 July 1813, and published again in Paris in the same year by Fages.

This title is sometimes referred to simply as Montoni, e.g. by Bosman (1928 and 1980), who - incidentally - lists it as "Montini" in his index for the 1980 volume.

Le Chateau des Appenins, ou Le Fantôme Vivant by Pixerecourt (1799)

A drama in five acts by René-Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt (1773-1844)[7], it was first performed at the Theatre Comique D'Ambigu, Paris, on 9 December 1799.

Leon, ou Le Chateau de Montenero by Hoffman and Delagrac (1799)

A melodrama in three acts by François-Benoît Hoffman (1760–1828)[8] and Delagrac, first performed at the Theatre de la Rue Favant, Paris, in 1799.

Dutch versions

Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by Bruggemans (1800)

The title suggests this was the Duval version, but the date points to was translated into Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by A. Bruggemans (1763-1841)[9] and published in Amsterdam by J.W. Smit, in 1800. The title suggests this was the Duval version, but the early date points to the La Martelière drama as source. was

Het Testament, of De Geheimen van Udolpho by an unnamed author (1801)

This second, and slightly different, Dutch stage version of the novel, is by an unknown author (though the source seems to suggest it may also have been Bruggemans), and was also published in Amsterdam by J.W. Smit, this one in 1801.

Translations and adaptations

The Duval version was translated into Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by A. Bruggemans (1763-1841)[10] and published in Amsterdam by J.W. Smit, in 1800.

A second, and slightly different, Dutch stage version of the novel, by an unknown author (though the source seems to suggest it may also have been Bruggemans), is called Het Testament, of De Geheimen van Udolpho, and was also published in Amsterdam by J.W. Smit, this one in 1801.

The best known English stage version is The Mysteries of Udolpho, or The Phantom of the Castle, a drama in five acts by John Baylis, apparently based on a French version, most probably also Duval's. This was never performed in its time, but published in 1804. The text was later performed however, e.g. at the Stalybridge Grand, July 20, 1901 and in West London, September, 1904.

Performance history in South Africa

1819: First performed in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by Het Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap (Men Doet Wat Men Kan) in the African Theatre, Cape Town, on 10 July 1819, with De Dochter van Pharao (Von Kotzebue).

1819: Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho repeated by Men Doet Wat Men Kan on 25 September.

1835: A performance in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho is announced for September by Vlyt en Kunst in the African Theatre, but it is uncertain whether this actually occurred.

1836 Performed in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by Vlyt en Kunst in the African Theatre on 10 September 1836, with music composed by Mr W. Brandt; alongside the afterpiece Nognetzoo (Boniface), a one-act comic ballet called Het Fancy Bal!!!, and, as an interlude, a "zeer prachtig Transparant" ("a very beautiful transparency" (as cited by Bosman) by Den Heer Poortemans. Music provided by the musical group De Vriendschap. The evening was a benefit performance to help Mr J.J. de Kock with litigation costs he had incurred.

1838: Performed in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by members of the amateur company Vlyt en Kunst in the Liefhebbery Toneel ("the amateur theatre") on 9 September, under the directorship of J.J. de Kock, followed by a "comic ballet dance".

1845: Performed in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by Het Hollandsch Toneellievend Gezelschap using the combined mottoes Tot Nut en Vermaak en Door Yver Vruchtbaar in the Hollandse Skouburg ("the Dutch theatre") on 17 September, with De Sint Nicolaas Avond, of Het Bezoek door den Schoorsteen (Kup).

1870: Performed in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the Odd Fellow's Hall, Cape Town, on 6 May, with Ik ben naar het Vondelfeest geweest (Van der Stempel).

1870: Repeated in Dutch as Montoni, of Het Kasteel van Udolpho by Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst in the Odd Fellow's Hall, Cape Town, on 12 May.

1870: Performed in Dutch as Het Testament, of De Geheimen van Udolpho by Kunst en Vlyt in the Loyal St George Lodge Hall, Cape Town on 7 June, with Vier Schildwachten op eenen Post (The title possibly adapted, since this is a breakaway group from Door Yver Bloeit de Kunst, doing a standard play often used by the former company.)

1870: Repeated in Dutch as Het Testament, of De Geheimen van Udolpho by Kunst en Vlyt in the Loyal St George Lodge Hall, Cape Town on 11 June, with Vier Schildwachten op eenen Post