Written by Patrick Hamilton First performance 7 September 1942 Original language English language | Genre Psychological drama Playwright Patrick Hamilton Place premiered Royal Lyceum Theatre | |
Date premiered September 7, 1942 (1942-09-07) Setting Around 1580 in the imaginary French province of Lamorre Similar Gas Light, Rope, The School for Scandal | ||
Patrick hamilton s the duke in darkness returns
The Duke in Darkness is a 1942 play by Patrick Hamilton. A psychological drama set during the French Wars of Religion, it was first staged September 7, 1942, at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. It ran for 72 performances (October 8 – December 5, 1942) at the St. James Theatre, London, and had a brief run on Broadway in 1944.
Contents
Plot
In 1580, during the French Civil Wars, the Duke of Latteraine has been imprisoned in the Chateau Lamorre for 15 years, together with his servant, Gribaud. The Duke has feigned blindness in the hope that it will aid his eventual escape. As the two men play a tense game of chess, it becomes evident that confinement has caused Gribaud to lose his reason. They are visited by an erstwhile friend named Voulain, now in the service of the enemy, who tries to persuade the Duke that he is still loyal to him. Voulain sets out a daring plan of escape. The Duke must decide whether he can be trusted—and determine what to do with a loyal, mad companion who could be the plan's undoing.
Production
The Duke in Darkness had its premiere September 7, 1942, at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. The original London production was presented October 8 – December 5, 1942, at the St. James Theatre. Running 72 performances, the three-act drama was directed by Michael Redgrave.
Broadway production
The Duke in Darkness was presented at the Playhouse Theatre in New York City January 24 – February 12, 1944. The cast included Edgar Stehli (Gribaud), Philip Merivale (Duke of Latteraine) and Raymond Burr (Voulain).
1948 British TV adaptation
The Duke in Darkness was adapted for a live 90-minute BBC television presentation on March 11, 1948. No recording of the broadcast is known to exist.
1957 Australian TV adaptation
It was filmed for Australian TV in 1957. The series was broadcast live.
Cast
Revised edition
Orlando Wells revised and adapted Hamilton's play for a stage revival April 16 – May 13, 2013, at the Tabard Theatre, London.