Page:Richelieu, or the Conspiracy.djvu/11

4 Julie de Mortemar. James Anderson, who afterward managed Drury Lane, and is famous as the original Ingomar, was the Adrien de Mauprat; while the Father Joseph was Samuel Phelps, still looked back to by actors, like Sir Henry Irving, as one of the best all-round players the London stage has known, and who, as manager of Sadler's Wells Theatre, made some of the most notable and dignified revivals of Shakespeare the English theatre has seen. Henry Howe, so long associated with the London Lyceum Company, was the François. Out of these five players Lady Martin still survives, better known to-day as a writer on Shakespeare's heroines than as an actress.

Since the production of the play the title rôle has been a popular one with leading men and with stars. The attractive combination of comedy and melodrama, with opportunities for declamatory climaxes, is of the sort to excite audiences; and for that reason, if for no other, would appeal to actors. In addition to acting opportunities, the play has a romantic story, and that popular feature,—a happy ending.

In the autumn of the year that witnessed its first production in London, Edwin Forrest, the rival of Macready, played Richelieu in this country. To make a list of the actors who have attempted the rôle since would be to name nearly all the legitimate stars, and a large number of leading men, who achieved heroic parts in the days of répertoires. The most famous of many Richelieus in this generation is generally conceded to have been the late Edwin Booth. This eminent actor found in the rôle opportunities for some of his best work, and to the end of his days it was one of his most congenial and successful parts. It is impossible to say when Booth first played Richelieu. It was probably in 1856. As early as 1851 he recited portions of it, notably the curse scene of Act IV. It was in this part, in 1861, that he conquered London, which had looked askance at his Shylock, and then rejected it.

As originally presented, "Richelieu" consisted of five acts and