The White Heather is an 1897 melodrama by playwrights Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton. The climactic scene of the play portrays a fight between two underwater divers.
Background
The play debuted at Drury Lane on 16 September 1897, the first produced by new managing director Arthur Collins. Typical of Drury Lane shows of the period, the elaborate production ran for four hours, and included scenes set at the Stock Exchange, Battersea Park, Boulter's Lock, and the Devonshire House Ball of 1897.Liggera, Lanayre D. The Life of Robert Loraine: The Stage, the Sky, and George Bernard Shaw, pp. 19-20 (2013)(2 October 1897). The New Drama at Old Drury (review), Punch, pp. 155-56(19 September 1897). Review of London show, New York Tribune, p. 2, col. 1(27 April 1898). The Secrets of Stage Mechanism, The Sketch, p. 38 (photographs of stage machinery) It had an initial run of 91 performances until 15 December 1897 and returned for 43 more performances from 12 May to 25 June 1898.Wearing, J.P. The London Stage 1890-1899: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel (2013), p. 355 (1897 debut production), p. 379 (1898 Drury Lane production), p. 404 (1899 Princess's production) The Princess's Theatre revived the play in 1899 with Eily Malyon in the cast for 31 performances.Nissen, Axel. Accustomed to Her Face: Thirty-Five Character Actresses of Golden Age Hollywood, p. 122 (2016)
Upon its debut in London, Charles Frohman's London representative William Lestocq immediately acquired the American rights. (3 November 1897). A Chat With Mr. W. Lestocq, The Sketch, p. 82 (paywalled at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The play was also a success in New York, with a run at the Academy of Music on Broadway from 22 November 1897 to 30 April 1898,At Gotham's Playhouses, The Opera Glass, p. 188 (November 1897, Vol. 4, No. 11)(23 November 1897). In Melodrama and Farce (review), New York Sun, p. 7, col. 1Brown, T. Allston. A History of the New York Stage from the First Performance in 1732 ..., Volume 2, p. 113 (1903)(30 April 1897). Advertisement, New York Tribune (rightmost column has theatre listings for April 30, 1897 and notes "last day" of the play) for a total of 187 performances. The production was directed by Joseph Humphreys and used sets by the painter Ernest Albert.
In 1919 it was adapted into a silent film of the same name that was directed by Maurice Tourneur.
Original London cast The primary cast included Mrs. John Wood, Henry Neville, Beatrice Lamb, Patti Browne, Kate Rorke, Dawson Milward, and Robert Loraine.
Lord Angus Cameron by Henry Neville Edgar Trefusis by Herman de Lange Captain Alec MacLintock by Dawson Milward Dick Beach by Robert Loraine James Hume by J.B. Gordon Captain Dewar Gay by C.M. Lowne Horace Saxonby by Ernest Lawford Jack Sadler by Albert Mayer Duke of Shetland by Rosier Jackson by Howard Russell Dr. Blake by Akerman May Mr. Craven by Edwin Palmer Hudson by Edward Shrimpton Turner by Frank Damer Max Leclare by Alfred Balfour William Smart by R.A. Lyons Lady Janet MacLintock by Mrs. John Wood Marion Hume by Kate Rorke Lady Molly Fanshaw by Pattie Browne Lady Hermione de Vaux by Beatrice Lamb Hon. Blanche Rossiter by Lillian Menelly Donald by Valli Valli Lady Lumley by Mary Brough Mrs. Andrews by Mrs. E. Palmer
Original New York cast
Lady Janet Maclintock by Rose Coghlan Marion Hume by Amelia Bingham Lady Mollie Fanshawe by Olive May Lady Hermonie de Vaux by Madeline Bouton Mrs. Andrew by Annie Adams Lord Angus Cameron by Francis Carlyle Edgar Trefusis by Robert Cotton Captain Alec Maclintock by Miller Kent Dick Beach by Richard Bennett James Hume by Harry Harwood Captain Dewar Gay by Lewis Baker The Duke of Shetland by Frank Burbeck Dr. Blake by Robert Jenkins Mr. Craven by Douglas Lloyd Hudson by E.Y. Backus(23 November 1897). A Fight Under the Sea (review), The New York TimesAustin, Henry (8 January 1898). "The White Heather" (review), The Illustrated American, pp. 63-64The Catalogue of the American Play Co., with Original Casts, Volume 2, p. 293 (1911)(cast and scene list)
References
External links
Photographs from 1897 London production at Victoria and Albert Museum (search "White Heather" for many photographs)