Figure 1.--This is the back cover of an early New York playbill for "Little Lord Fauntleroy". Unfortunately we do not have the date of the performance. This engraving was based on a publicity photograph taken of Mrs. Burnett's son Vivian. A the time the technology of reproducing photographs directly had not been developed. To see the inside, click on the image. |
The "Fauntleroy" mania by Spring 1889 had spread throughout the country. In June, there were two New York productions, three companies in Boston and two in Chicago, in addition to at least a dozen more touring companies. Eventually "Little Lord Fauntleroy" played for nearly 4 years in New York. Information on these productions are not readily available to HBC. Major productions, however, were described in the local newspapers, sometgimes in considerable detail. This is especially true if they were formally reviewed. Thus there are valuable accounts in contemporary newspapers. ["The Theatres," New York Times, December 2, 1888, p.3, col. 2; "Little Lord Fauntleroy," New York Times, December 4, 1888, p.S, col. 2.; and "Children of the Stage," New York Times, June 16, 1889, p.16, col. 3.]
The playbill for aNew York production can be seen here here (figure 1). Unfortuntelly, we do not have the date of the production. As it was covered by New York newsppers, we believe that it was a New York production. We do, however, have the text of the inside of the playbill. While it is neither dated, or list the actors, but it does include some interesting information.
Page 1 contained a list of characters, but unfortunately not the actors who played the roles. The characters listed were: "Earl of Dorincourt, Cedric Errol (Lord Fauntleroy), Mr. Havisham (A Solicitor), Mr. Hobbs (A Grocer), Dick (A Bootblack), Higgins (A Farmer), Wilkins (A Groom), Thomas (A Footman), Mrs. Errol (Dearest), Minna (An Adventuress), Mary (A Servant), Jane (A Maid)."
The scenes were: Act I. Setting--Room in Mrs. Erols house in New York City. Act II. Library at Dorincourt Castle--Evening. Six weeks elapse between Acts II an III.) Act III. Library at Dorincourt Castle--Afternoon.
The production was according to the playbill, "Under the management of Mr. T.H. French."
The second page of the playbill quoted from reviews in the New York press. The heading is "Opinions of the New York Press". Unfortunately, some of the words are hard to make out.
Little Lord Fauntleroy makes a big hit at the Broadway.--Herald
Little Lord Fauntleroy appeals to human nature, and it goes straight to he heart through any amount of thickness by its own intrinsic beauty.--World
Every mother will like this pretty play, and the children will be taken to see it, and few fathers will object to it. One momment we are laughing with gladness; a little cloud ome accross the scene, and there is a tear, or some thing like tear in ??? eyes--and ??? the sun again and the face of the world is bright.--Times
We have had lords many and gods many in this gadding town. Dukes, earls, and such like have become quite common and an old story. But we never had a prettier lord, or a nicer or ??? than Litle Lord Funtleroy.--Sun
The play was ?? an interesting one and is a wlcome novelty, for it is veru much different from aqny plays now being presented in the city theaters.--Telegram
Little Lord Fauntleroy might have much less than it has to rcommend it and it would still ucceed.--Graphic?
It is the most strictly beautiful example of ramatiztion ever presented in New York. Its sweetness is like? a grand ???--like a glorious ??? of "Home, Sweet Home".--Press
It will be a ??? occassion? and there is more genius and nature in it than any stage is used to see in recent work..--???
Little Lord Fauntleroy is a pure and healthy play, good for the cause of the drama, and good for the pople howitnss it.--Life
It is like having a beautiful idea brought before one. Its like having a little heart beating ??? for you and for me, and a little brain thinking out how to make life sweeter, better, and braver.--??? Letter
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