The Extravaganzas of J. R. Planche, Esq., (Somerset Herald) 1825-1871 Volume 4; The Island of Jewels. Cymon and Iphigenia. King Charming Or, the Blue Bird of Paradise. the Queen of the Frogs. the Prince of Happy Land Or, the Fawn in the Forest. the Good (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 Excerpt: ... ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGS A FAIRY EXTRAVAGANZA, In Two Acts. First Performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, on Monday, December 26th, 1853. ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGS. This was the last Extravaganza I wrote for the Lyceum, and the only one I never saw acted. It is founded on Madame D'Aulnoy's story "La Princesse Carpillon," and it was my intention to adhere to the title, but the re-engagement of "the King of Extravaganza," James Bland, who had been too long away from us, combined with the fact that two Kings were important personages in the piece, induced Charles Mathews to suggest the above title, and it was ultimately adopted. Besides the return of Bland, a considerable attraction was expected from the engagement of Mr. Wright, who as a low comedian had obtained great popularity at the St. James's and Adelphi Theatres, enjoying with the audience of the latter particularly equal favour with that which they had accorded to the elder John Reeve. I did my best to provide him with a part which he might make effective, and wrote a parody on one of his most popular songs. He was, of course, received on his entrance with acclamations; but, alas the result was a melancholy failure, and it subsequently became necessary to take him out of the piece and give the part to Mr. Robert Roxby. Fortunately, the substitution being an improvement, the absence of Mr. Wright had no serious consequences, and the excellent acting of Bland, Frank Matthews, and Madame Vestris carried the piece triumphantly through the season (eighty-seven nights). Of Madame Vestris it was unhappily the final effort in a line which she may be truly said to have originated. During the run of the piece she was sometimes too unwell to appear, her part being sustained on such occa...