Difference between revisions of "His Excellency the Governor"
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| − | Written in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, in 1894/5, while the author was stationed there as aide-de-camp to Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, Governor of Natal. The play was Marshall's first financial success and led to his resigning from the military and becoming a full-time author. | + | Written in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, in 1894/5, while the author was stationed there as aide-de-camp to Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, then Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Natal and Zululand (between 1893 and 1901). The play was Marshall's first financial success and led to his resigning from the military and becoming a full-time author. |
The play had several seasons in New York at the start of the 20th century, e.g. at the Lyceum Theatre (May 9, 1899 - Closing date unknown); Garrick Theatre (Oct 20, 1902 - Nov 1902) and Empire Theatre (Apr 4, 1907 - May 1907). | The play had several seasons in New York at the start of the 20th century, e.g. at the Lyceum Theatre (May 9, 1899 - Closing date unknown); Garrick Theatre (Oct 20, 1902 - Nov 1902) and Empire Theatre (Apr 4, 1907 - May 1907). | ||
Revision as of 06:25, 9 May 2019
His Excellency the Governor is a play by Robert Marshall (1863-1910)[1]
Also found as His Excellency, the Governor
Contents
The original text
Set on an island
Written in Pietermaritzburg, Natal, in 1894/5, while the author was stationed there as aide-de-camp to Sir Walter Hely-Hutchinson, then Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Natal and Zululand (between 1893 and 1901). The play was Marshall's first financial success and led to his resigning from the military and becoming a full-time author.
The play had several seasons in New York at the start of the 20th century, e.g. at the Lyceum Theatre (May 9, 1899 - Closing date unknown); Garrick Theatre (Oct 20, 1902 - Nov 1902) and Empire Theatre (Apr 4, 1907 - May 1907).
The text published in London by William Heinemann in 1901.
Translations and adaptations
Filmed in 1917 as Her Excellency, the Governor as an American silent film, the storyline loosely based Marshall's play. Screenplay written by Robert Shirley, directed by Albert Parker, produced and distributed by the Triangle Film Corporation. The lead was played by Elda Milar, who would later gain renown as the gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.
Performance history in South Africa
Apparently Marshall did no more than write the plays in South Africa, for there is no indication that any of them were actually tried out or produced in South Africa during his sojourn there. Even the two that he wrote while stationed in Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg appear to have been sent to London producers directly for consideration.
Sources
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/his-excellency-the-governor-4413
https://books.google.co.za/books?id=tGw-AAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Marshall_(dramatist)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Excellency,_the_Governor
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