The Duke in Darkness

The Duke in Darkness
First edition, 1943
Written by Patrick Hamilton
Date premiered 7 September 1942 (1942-09-07)
Place premiered Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland
Original language English
Genre Psychological drama
Setting Around 1580 in the imaginary French province of Lamorre

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 on 7 September 1942 at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. It ran for 72 performances (8 October – 5 December 1942) at the St. James Theatre, London, and had a brief run on Broadway in 1944.

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.[1]

Production

The Duke in Darkness had its premiere on 7 September 1942 at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. The original London production was presented from 8 October to 5 December 1942 at the St. James Theatre. Running 72 performances, the three-act drama was directed by Michael Redgrave.[2]

Broadway production

The Duke in Darkness was presented at the Playhouse Theatre in New York City from 24 January to 12 February 1944.[3] The cast included Edgar Stehli (Gribaud), Philip Merivale (Duke of Latteraine) and Raymond Burr (Voulain).[4]

Adaptations

1948 British TV adaptation

The Duke in Darkness was adapted for a live 90-minute BBC television presentation on 11 March 1948. No recording of the broadcast is known to exist.[5]

1957 Australian TV adaptation

The Duke in Darkness
Produced by Christopher Muir
Based on play by Patrick Hamilton
Starring Brian James[6]
Distributed by ABC
Release date
 13 November 1957[7]
Country Australia
Language English

It was filmed for Australian TV in 1957. The series was broadcast live.[8]

Cast

  • Walter Brown
  • Syd Conabere
  • Brian James
  • Lisle Jones
  • John Morgan
  • Philip Stainton

Revised edition

Orlando Wells revised and adapted Hamilton's play for a stage revival from 16 April to 13 May 2013 at the Tabard Theatre, London.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Redfern, James (October 15, 1942). "The Theatre". The Spectator. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  2. ↑ Wearing, J. P. (2014). The London Stage 1940-1949: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 86. ISBN 9780810893061.
  3. ↑ "The Duke in Darkness". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 2016-05-15.
  4. ↑ Nichols, Lewis (January 25, 1944). "The Play: The Art of Melodrama Comes a Cropper at the Playhouse and in 'The Duke in Darkness'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  5. ↑ "The Duke in Darkness". Screen Plays. British Universities Film & Video Council. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  6. ↑ "Stars of ATN Drama Named", Sydney Morning Herald, Monday, July 02, 1962 p 10
  7. ↑ TV Guide, Sydney Morning Herald, November 13, 1957 p12
  8. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald 13 November, 1957 p 10
  9. ↑ "The Duke in Darkness". Tabard Theatre. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  10. ↑ Billington, Michael (April 26, 2013). "The Duke in Darkness – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
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