Dion Boucicault theatre collection

Noted as one of the most prolific, innovative and influential dramatists of the 19th century stage, Dion Boucicault (1820-1890) transformed American theatre by writing, directing, acting in, and/or producing - by his own account - more than 200 plays. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Boucicault’s career was launched on the London stage when he was barely out of his teens. In 1850, he immigrated to the United States, where he delighted audiences with elaborate stage sets, original musical scores, and such exciting stage theatrics as real burning buildings and horse races. In addition, his works raised a number of important social and cultural issues of historical significance - such as race, slavery and political issue - bringing them to the forefront of the American stage.

Boucicault’s farces and melodramas were wildly popular in the United States, Ireland, England, and Australia. In the U.S., he was known for adapting French popular stories and novels thereby helping to solidify theatre as the main form of entertainment for all classes on both sides of the Atlantic in the late 1800s. Boucicault also founded the first American school of acting, established one of the first touring companies in the United States, successfully lobbied for passage of copyright legislation for dramatists, and counted - among his many inventions - fire-proof scenery. A tireless and true entertainer, Boucicault’s three, scandal-ridden marriages, numerous affairs, lavish spending sprees, family tragedies only added to his own life’s drama and mystique.

Note written by