40-463: London Assurance (originally titled Out of Town ) is a five-act comedy co-authored by Dion Boucicault and John Brougham . While the play was collaboratively written by both playwrights, after the play's initial premiere Broughman, who originated the role of Dazzle, relinquished his authorship rights to the work in a lawsuit settlement and left the production. It was the second play that Boucicault wrote but his first to be produced. Its first production
80-651: A Basil Fawlty -type character in a Reggie Perrin -type situation, designing board games. In 1980, he starred as Barty Wade in the television series Pig in the Middle with Liza Goddard . In 1984, Landen played Jean-Martin Charcot in the television series Freud . In 1987, he played the lead in a BBC TV production of What the Butler Saw , playing Dr Prentice in a production also featuring Prunella Scales , Timothy West and Bryan Pringle . In 1989, he made
120-626: A Coat , opened at Daly's Theatre in New York on 14 August 1890, and closed on 13 September 1890. Boucicault died in 1890 in New York City, and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings, Westchester County, New York. Notes Dinsdale Landen Dinsdale James Landen (4 September 1932 – 29 December 2003) was an English actor. His television appearances included starring in the shows Devenish (1977) and Pig in
160-575: A Swiss mountaineering accident later in the same year, though she may in fact have died as late as 1848. In 1853, he eloped with Agnes Kelly Robertson (1833–1916) to marry in New York. She was Charles Kean 's ward; the juvenile lead in his company and an actress of unusual ability. She would bear Dion six children: Dion William Boucicault (1855–1876); Eva Boucicault (1857–1909); Dion Jr. (1859–1929); Patrice Boucicault (1862–1890); Nina Boucicault (1867–1950); Aubrey (1868–1913); three of whom became distinguished actors in their own right. Patrice became
200-591: A dramatic adaptation of Gerald Griffin 's novel, The Collegians , entitled The Colleen Bawn . This play, one of the most successful of the times, was performed in almost every city of the United Kingdom and the United States. Julius Benedict used it as the basis for his opera The Lily of Killarney . Although the play earned a handsome fortune for Boucicault, he lost it while managing various London theatres. After returning to England, Boucicault
240-575: A guest appearance in Doctor Who as Dr. Judson, a wheelchair-using genius taken over by the titular villain of the serial The Curse of Fenric . In 1992, Landen provided the voice of the arch villain Mr. Tod in the BBC/ Fuji Television children's animated series The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends . He played a recurring role on Lovejoy , a mentor to the main character during
280-568: A historian. There is a gap of two years in the record, when Fawkes believes Boucicault may have attended Rowland Hill 's Bruce Castle School , as stated in the Dictionary of National Biography . In 1837, he was enrolled at Wyke House, a school at Sion Hill, Brentford , kept by a Dr Alexander Jamieson . There he appeared in a school play, in the part of Rolla in Sheridan 's Pizarro . He also wrote his own first play, The Old Guard , which
320-544: A leading actor, appearing as the vampire Sir Alan Raby. Although the play received mixed reviews, Boucicault's characterisation was praised as "a dreadful and weird thing played with immortal genius". In 1854 he wrote Andy Blake; or, The Irish Diamond and also played the title character. From 1854 to 1860, Boucicault resided in the United States, where he was always a popular favourite. Boucicault and his actress wife, Agnes Robertson, toured America. He also wrote many successful plays there, acting in most of them. These included
360-602: A society singer, marrying George Pitman in 1885 but died in childbirth in 1890. His granddaughter Rene Boucicault (1898–1935), Aubrey's daughter, became an actress and acted in silent films. His oldest son was killed in the Abbots Ripton rail accident on the East Coast Main Line in England in 1876. Between 11 July and 8 October 1885, Boucicault toured Australia, where his brother Arthur lived. Towards
400-687: A student at the Dean Street Academy. He later claimed Guinness paid for his tuition and had made him his heir. The allowance was stopped and Boucicault became penniless. Boucicault took up an acting offer in Cheltenham , adopting the stage name of Lee Morton. He joined William Charles Macready and made his first appearance on stage with Benjamin Webster at Bristol . Soon after this he began to write plays, occasionally in conjunction with his acting. Boucicault's first play, A Legend of
440-689: A walk-on part in The League of Gentlemen . During the 1960s, he starred in the TV series Mickey Dunne and The Mask of Janus , and its spinoff series The Spies . In 1969, he starred as Chris Champers in the comedy series World in Ferment . As a stage actor, he appeared as Richard Dazzle in the RSC 's 1970 production of London Assurance . He appeared in James Saunders 's play Bodies in
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#1732790203312480-540: Is confusion about the details of his education. Richard Fawkes has addressed this in a biography. For about four years, from 1829, Boucicault seems to have attended a very small private school in Hampstead kept by a Mr Hessey; between 1833 and 1835 he was at University College School , where he began his friendship with Charles Kenney . He later recalled having boarded in Euston Square with a Rev. Henry Stebbing,
520-434: Is considered an intermediate point between the 18th-century comedies of Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Oliver Goldsmith on the one hand and Oscar Wilde 's The Importance of Being Earnest on the other. The play's first production ran for three months, with Madame Vestris as Grace Harkaway and Charles Mathews (replacing John Brougham who originated the role) as Dazzle, and was soon followed (from 11 October 1841, at
560-565: Is convinced for a time. Lady Gay Spanker and her husband "Dolly" arrive, and Sir Harcourt immediately falls in love with the former. Grace begins to fall in love with Charles/Augustus in spite of herself. When Lady Gay interrupts their courtship, Charles easily persuades the lady to distract Sir Harcourt from marriage to Grace by apparently accepting his affections. Charles leaves as 'Augustus', returning as Charles to tell Grace that 'Augustus' has been killed, to see if she really loves him, whilst Lady Gay and Sir Harcourt plan to elope. The elopement
600-496: Is frustrated by Max, Dolly and the local lawyer Meddle. Dolly challenges Sir Harcourt to a duel. Sir Harcourt realises he has been duped and resolves to release Grace from their marriage contract. Max prevents the duel and Grace insists on going through with the marriage to Sir Harcourt, as a ruse to force Charles's hand. Charles's creditors catch up with him. Dolly forgives Gay and Sir Harcourt finds out his son's true nature as well as acceding to Charles's marriage to Grace. The play
640-723: The Albery Theatre in London and had a run at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in New York. Eyre was nominated for a Tony Award for his directing and Sinden was the first recipient of the Broadway Drama Desk Special Award . A 1974 production saw Roger Rees take on the role of Charles, and Dinsdale Landen play Dazzle. In 1976, the play was adapted for television by the BBC for their Play of
680-604: The Park Theatre ) by its first New York production, with Charlotte Cushman as Lady Gay Spanker. According to casting notes from Methuen & Co Ltd's 1971 publication of the play, the Royal Shakespeare Company produced the show with director Ronald Eyre . The first performance was on 23 June 1970, and featured Donald Sinden as Sir Harcourt Courtly, Michael Williams as Charles, Judi Dench as Grace and Barrie Ingham as Dazzle which transferred to
720-641: The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester in 2004, and a 2008 production at the Watermill Theatre in Bagnor , which toured to Guildford. In 1991, the play was adapted for radio and directed by Sue Wilson on BBC Radio 4 , with Daniel Massey as Sir Harcourt, Elizabeth Spriggs as Lady Gay, Samantha Bond as Grace, Reece Dinsdale as Charles Courtly and Sir Michael Hordern as Sir Charles Crawford. The Royal National Theatre revived
760-527: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1875), won him the reputation of being the best "Stage Irishman" of his time. W. S. Gilbert referred to the notable actor in the libretto of his 1881 operetta Patience in the line: "The pathos of Paddy, as rendered by Boucicault". Again in partnership with William Stuart, he built the New Park Theatre in 1873–1874. However, Boucicault withdrew from
800-831: The West End in 1979, receiving a nomination for a Society of West End Theatre Award . His film roles include appearances in Operation Snatch (1962), A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964), Rasputin, the Mad Monk (1966), Mosquito Squadron (1969), Every Home Should Have One (1970), Young Winston (1972), Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World (1973), International Velvet (1978), Morons from Outer Space (1985) and both The Buccaneers and The Steal in 1995. On radio, he appeared as General Bel Riose in
840-517: The 1973 BBC Radio 4 adaptation of The Foundation Trilogy , as Dr. Watson in the 1974 adaptation of A Study in Scarlet , and Art Gordo in the 1976 adaptation of Jim Eldridge 's novel Down Payment on Death . He portrayed Rupert Purvis in the 1982 production of Tom Stoppard 's play The Dog It Was That Died , and played the urbane Ambassador McKenzie in BBC Radio 4 series of Flying
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#1732790203312880-934: The Devil's Dyke , opened in Brighton in 1838. Three years later, he had a big success as a dramatist with London Assurance . First produced at Covent Garden on 4 March 1841, its cast included such well-known actors as Charles Mathews , William Farren , Mrs Nesbitt and Madame Vestris . Boucicault rapidly followed this with a number of other plays, among the most successful being The Bastile [ sic ], an "after-piece" (1842), Old Heads and Young Hearts (1844), The School for Scheming (1847), Confidence (1848), and The Knight Arva (1848), all produced at Her Majesty's Theatre . He had further great successes with The Corsican Brothers (1852, for Charles Kean ) and Louis XI (1855), both adaptations of French plays. In his The Vampire (1852), Boucicault made his début as
920-751: The Flag . Landen played Dr. Mark Thorn, Guardians officer and official psychiatrist, in Episode 6 of the 1971 London Weekend Television series, The Guardians . Dinsdale Landen was the only actor to play the same character, private detective Matthew Earp, in two episodes of Thriller ("An Echo of Theresa" and "The Next Scream You Hear" from 1973 and 1974 respectively). He appeared in The Glittering Prizes (1976) as Gavin Pope. In 1977, Landen starred in his own situation comedy, Devenish , playing
960-439: The Middle (1980). The Independent named him an "outstanding actor with the qualities of a true farceur". He performed in many Shakespeare plays at Stratford-upon-Avon and Regent's Park Open Air Theatre . Landen was born at Margate , Kent and educated at King's School, Rochester . Landen made his television debut in 1959 as the adult Pip in an adaptation of Great Expectations and made his film debut in 1960, with
1000-673: The Month series, with Anthony Andrews as Charles Courtly and Landen reprising his role of Dazzle. It also featured Judy Cornwell as Lady Gay, James Bree as her husband Adolphus, Charles Gray as Sir Harcourt, Jan Francis as Grace, Clifford Rose as Cool and Nigel Stock as Max. A 1989 stage production at the Chichester Festival Theatre (directed by Sam Mendes and featuring Paul Eddington as Sir Harcourt) later transferred to London. Its cast also included John Warner as Adolphus. Other productions include one at
1040-633: The Varieties Theatre in New Orleans. He quickly renamed it the Gaity and was set to open its doors on the 28th of November. A short delay pushed the opening night back to December 1 with his play Used Up . During his stay in New Orleans, a false report of his death began to circulate, this rumor was proven false when days later on December 20 he presented The Chameleon at the Gaiety. This was
1080-615: The Winter Garden Theatre . There on 5 December 1859, he premiered his new sensation, the anti-slavery potboiler The Octoroon , in which he also starred. This is considered the first play to explore the lives of the Black American population, the majority of whom were still enslaved. Boucicault fell out with Stuart over money matters, and he returned to England. There he produced at the Adelphi Theatre
1120-496: The business just before the theatre opened. Stuart teamed up instead with the actor, playwright and theatre manager Charles Fechter to run the house. In 1875 Boucicault returned to New York City, where he made his home; for a time his manager was Harry J. Sargent . He wrote the melodrama Contempt of Court (poster, left) in 1879, but he paid occasional visits to London and elsewhere (e.g. Toronto ). He made his last appearance in London in his play, The Jilt , in 1885. Boucicault
1160-554: The end of this tour, he suddenly left Agnes to marry Josephine Louise Thorndyke (c. 1864–1956), a young actress, on 9 September 1885, in Sydney. This aroused scandal on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, as his marriage to Agnes was not finally dissolved until 21 June 1888, by reason of "bigamy with adultery." The rights to many of his plays were later sold to finance alimony payments to his second wife. His last play, A Tale of
1200-415: The first appearance of Agnes Robertson at the Gaiety. Shortly after, on February 26 of 1856 Boucicualt was in the market to sell his lease. By March 8 he was out and heading to New York. In the summer of 1859, Boucicault and William Stuart became joint lessees of Burton's New Theatre (originally Tripler's Theatre) on Broadway just below Amity Street. After extensive remodeling, he renamed his new showplace
1240-603: The identity of Dion's father is uncertain. He was probably Dionysius Lardner , who was a lodger at Anne Boursiquot's house at a time when she had recently separated from her husband. Lardner later gave Dion Boucicault financial support until about 1840. In 1828, Lardner was elected as professor of natural philosophy and astronomy at University College, London , a position he held until he resigned in 1831. Anne Boursiquot followed him to London in 1828, taking all but one of her children with her. Consequently, Dion Boucicault attended various schools in and around London; there
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1280-464: The play in March 2010, directed by Nicholas Hytner and featuring Simon Russell Beale as Sir Harcourt and Fiona Shaw as Lady Gay. A live performance was simulcast to cinemas around the world through their NTLive! program. Dion Boucicault Dionysius Lardner " Dion " Boucicault / ˈ d aɪ ˌ ɒ n ˈ b uː s ɪ ˌ k oʊ / (né Boursiquot ; 26 December 1820 – 18 September 1890)
1320-585: The popular Jessie Brown; or, The Relief of Lucknow in 1858. From around 1855 his business manager and partner in New York was William Stuart , an expatriate Irish MP and adventurer. Together they leased Wallack's Theatre in 1855–1856, and put on a short season at the Washington Theatre in Washington D.C. In late 1855, while his wife was performing in St. Louis, Boucicault became the lessee of
1360-428: The trip. At Oak Hall, Grace tells her maid Pert about her acceptance of marriage to the aged Sir Harcourt and explains her view of love as an "epidemic madness". Charles and Dazzle arrive; Charles does not know of his father's marriage plans and immediately starts courting Grace. Harcourt arrives and Charles tells him that he is actually named Augustus Hamilton and merely bears a remarkable likeness to Charles. His father
1400-614: Was an Irish actor and playwright famed for his melodramas . By the later part of the 19th century, Boucicault had become known on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the most successful actor-playwright-managers then in the English-speaking theatre. The New York Times hailed him in his obituary as "the most conspicuous English dramatist of the 19th century,"; he and his second wife, Agnes Robertson Boucicault, applied for and received American citizenship in 1873. Boucicault
1440-433: Was an excellent actor, especially in pathetic parts. His uncanny ability to play these low-status roles earned him the nickname "Little Man Dion" in theatrical circles. His plays are for the most part adaptations, but are often very ingenious in construction. They have had great popularity. Boucicault was married three times. He married the much older Anne Guiot at St Mary-at-Lambeth on 9 July 1845. He claimed that she died in
1480-617: Was asked by noted American comedian Joseph Jefferson , who also starred in the production of Octoroon , to rework Jefferson's adaptation of Washington Irving 's Rip van Winkle . Their play opened in London in 1865 and on Broadway in 1866. Boucicault's next marked success was at the Princess's Theatre, London in 1864 with Arrah-na-Pogue in which he played the part of a County Wicklow , Ireland carman. This, and his admirable creation of "Conn" in his play The Shaughraun (first produced at Wallacks Theatre, New York City, in 1874, then at
1520-458: Was born Dionysius Lardner Boursiquot in 1820 Dublin , where his family lived on Gardiner Street . His mother was Anne Maria Laura Beresford, sister of the poet and mathematician George Darley . The Darleys were an important Anglo-Irish Dublin family influential in many fields and related to the Guinnesses by marriage. Anne was married to Samuel Smith Boursiquot, of Huguenot ancestry, but
1560-864: Was by Charles Matthews and Madame Vestris 's company and ran from 4 March 1841 at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden . It was Boucicault's first major success. Charles and Dazzle arrive at Sir Harcourt's London home after a night on the town and manage to avoid Harcourt with Cool's help; Harcourt still believes that Charles is a clean-living innocent. Max arrives to make the final arrangements for Harcourt's marriage to Max's niece Grace. Grace's late father, Max's brother, has made Grace's inheritance contingent on her marrying Harcourt; if she does not, it will pass to Charles. In return, Harcourt has financially helped him. Harcourt leaves and Dazzle bumps into Max, gaining himself an invitation to Oak Hall in Gloucestershire, Max's country house, and Charles will accompany him on
1600-459: Was produced some years later. When Boucicault was in his late teens, his mother persuaded a cousin, Arthur Lee Guinness , to give her son a job as a clerk in the Dublin brewery. He began an affair with Guinness, which caused a crisis in his cousin's family. In 1840 Boucicault returned to London flush with cash, thought to be the result of blackmail or the family having paid him off. He enrolled as
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