A Royal Divorce

A play depicting the romantic relationship and political divorce between Napoleon and his wife Josephine.

A play by the name of A Royal Divorce is attributed to one, or both, of two people, namely W.G. Wills (1828–1891) and/or C.C. Collingham, depending on the sources consulted. One source however, Alan Goble's The Complete Index of Literary Sources in Film , suggests that the text, published in 1891, the source of an 1928 silent film, was actually by both authors. It may be that Collingham was the editor and/or publisher, or even the screenwriter, since Wills was a recognized Irish dramatist, novelist and painter W.G. Wills (1828–1891) and apparently completed the play shortly before his death in 1891, and it was performed in London. Referred to often in Joyce's Finnigan's Wake as Wills's play. Also mentioned in newspapers in Australia at the start of the 20th century as his play.

Collingham is only noted as the author of a play that was the source of the 1926 British historical drama film directed by Alexander Butler, a film later remade as a sound film (1938).

Performance history in South Africa

A play by this name was first performed in South Africa by Leonard Rayne in 1899; it was to become one of his greatest successes, Napoleon being his most memorable role, repeated countless times. It was also his final role before his death in 1925. The text used is uncertain, but is most probably Wills.