Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24
Queer History Of
An English Play
especial Correspondence Of The star.

LONDON. June H. 1900.
At the moment OF writing the theatrical
event Of the future which II being awaited
with most interest In London Ia the COM
ing production OF Oscar wiide's short un-
published play. "a FloFentine Tragedy"
which viii be given with an especially
strong cast at the Kings Hall. Coyent Gar-
den. In about foftnights time.
This Is undoubtedly one OF the most strik-
ing pieces OF work that its author ever did.
and It would not be surprising II the pro-
ductien In London led to performances OF
it being given in the United States. but
perhaps the most interesting thing about
the play Is the curious story OF its dis
appearance from its authors study soon
after It was originally completed. and Of
how, ave years afterward. another dram
was discovered by Wildes literary ex-
ecutor" and by him pseced together for
use upon the stage
This story has just come to light. hay
'.literary executor In question, and the
editor Of wilde's "De Protandis." apropos
OF the first production Of the little play.
According to Mr.. Ross. "A F1orentine
Tragedy was originally written for George
Alexander and was completed In April,
1895. only q few days before Wilde was de-
clared a bankrupt. My friend then asked
me- says Mr.. Ross. ito 30 to his house
manuscripts, and managed to reach his
residence just before the badiiffs entered.
OF course. the authors letters and manu-
scripts would have been exempt from seta-
urc, but found that the manuscript OF "A
t1orentine Traeedy''-tosethsr with the
manuscripts OF two other unpublished plays
and the enlarged version OF "Ths Portrait
OF Mr.. w. H." upon which l knew Wilde
WIS engaged, had nnystef4ously disappeared.
Some one had been there before me-"
~
r. Ross adds that the thief was never dis
covered. nor did the stolen manuscripts OF
"A Fiorentine Tragedy and The Portrait
Of Mr.. w. H." ever come to light. although
that OF the third play. THE Duchess OF
Padua" was discovered by friend of
Wildes IN q second hand book-shop In Lon-
don in 1897 and promptly forwarded to its
author in Paris. After Wllde's death in
1900. however. Mr.. Ross says he had oc-
caston to sort MAS Of letters and papers
which had been forwarded to him by the
authors solicitors, and among them he
found some loose sheets containing the
draft of play which he recognized as the
"Florentine Tragedy"
by piecing these together" he says. II
was able to reconstruct a considerable por-
ton Of the play. The first Ave pages had
gone. and there was another page missing,
but some 400 lines of blank verse remained
Now the introductory scene OF the single
act Of which the play consists has been re-
written by Mr.. Surge Moore. and 1t will
be possible to present the tragedy for the
frs: time to an English audience"
~
There IS little doubt. moreover, that the
play will hold audiences. both here and In
the United States, should It be produced
across the water, for although It's plot is
simple 1t il strong. and the theme Is hand
led in the best style OF Oscar Wilde. There
arc only three characters, an old F7oren-
tine merchant, his beautiful young wife.
home suddenly after short absence, finds
his wife and his rival in her affections to-
gether at supper. He makes pretense at
hrst. OF being profoundly polite but grad
comes obvious. had been his fixed purpose
from the beginning. He draws the lover
into q duel. This takes place In the pres
ence Of the wife, who, In fact. holds aloft
may fight the more easily The contest
wakes hercer and tho swords are EXCHANGED
for daggers. The wife casts the torch to
the ground as the two close with each other,
and the younger one falls, MORALLY wound
ed. The ending Is dramatic and "Wildian."
The husband turns to his shrinking wife
and exclairns. Now for the otherr' The
woman. In mingled remorse and fear. muir
murs, why did you not tell me you were
so strong? and the husband rejoins. why
did you not tell me you were so beautiful?''
AS the curtain descends, the couple, thus
strangely reconciled, fall into each others
arms.
X
Oddly enough, there is another chapter to
the rather singular story of this Oscar
Wilde play, for the coming production of
"a Florentine Tragedy has led a we'll
known English author and playwright to
come forward with a voluntary statement.
lest he should be accused of literary theft
after the presentation of the piece This is
w. j. Locke, who wrote THE Morals of
Marcus Ordeyne," and who produced one
act play, while ago. called Flower o.
the Rose. In which the story and especially
tho concluding incident Of t'the Florentine
Tragedy were exactly reproduced But
Mr. Locke says that. although he knew
tho idea OF his piece was Oscar Wilde's, he
had no idea that Wilde had carried out his
intention Of writing a play around It II
seems that long after Wilde's death, Locke
was told by Lewis Waller the actor, that
tho author of Lady Wtndermere's Fan"
had offered to write "A Florentine Tra9-
edy' for him. but that the play never had
been actually written. Then why should
! not write you a play on the Florentine
themer' said Locke, and Waller thought II
a good idea IAN he had told me Of it,
says Locke Z" had been told in five minutes
1T was simply the situation and the two