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Which Is The King?
A Comic Drama in One Act
This
light-hearted romantic comedy, which debuted at the Marylebone Theatre on
November 6th, 1848, was written by Walter Watts, the manager of that
establishment. The play draws on
long-established commedia del-arte
traditions in its depictions of the woes of two pairs of lovers as they
struggle to outwit the machinations of a meddling father and a Pantaloon-like
rich old baron with designs on the lovely Amelia. At the center of the drama is French King
Henri IV who wanders among his subjects disguised as a troubadour. The merry monarch was played as a breeches
role written to feature the charms of Miss Sophia Villars, the Marylebone’s
resident specialist in such parts. Songs, romance, mistaken identities, and
mischievous mix-ups ensue!
Synopsis: A reviewer from The Morning Advertiser provided the
following synopsis of the plot: Henry the Fourth of France (Miss Sophia Villars) disguised
as a minstrel, visits the chateau of M. de Branville (Mr. Tindell)… just at the
time that De Branville’s daughter (Miss M. Oliver) is about to be forced into a
marriage with Baron Ritzdorf (Mr. J.W. Ray). The young lady mistakes the King
for a lover who was to arrive in a similar disguise, and after an explanation
she commits herself to the protection of the monarch, who, as may be supposed,
easily prevents the dreaded union with the Baron, and obtains her father’s
consent to her marriage with her lover.1
Characters
Henry IV Baron Ratsdorf M. de Branville La Fleur Timothy Woodenhead 1st Courtier 2nd Courtier Amelia Branville Jenny Softheart
The show debuted at the Marylebone Theatre on November 6th,
1848. It was listed as second on the
bill between productions of “Poor Jack” featuring T.P. Cooke and “The Miser’s
Daughter” staring Fanny Vining and J.W. Ray. The Marylebone was at this time
hosting a series of guest artists such as Cooke. “Which is the King?” ran for nearly a month,
covering the rest of Cooke’s stay.
Another of Watts’ one-acts replaced it when Buckstone and Fitzwilliams
took up residency in December.
Critical Reaction The following are a sampling of newspaper reviews from the
show’s run: A pleasing one act comic drama, entitled Which is the King? was produced here
last night with complete success. Henry
the Fourth of France (that invaluable monarch for Vaudevilles) is the
hero. His Majesty, who is wandering
about the country, disguised as a minstrel, found and excellent representative
in Miss Villars, whose minstrel costume became her exceedingly. Of course the King is mistaken by some young
lady for her lover, who was to come in a somewhat similar disguise – of course
the poor young man is hated by her father, who desires her to marry someone
else, and of course the King interferes, and “makes two lovers happy.” These materials are common-place enough, but
they are well put together, thanks to the really excellent acting of all
parties in its production, this amusing trifle was quite successful.2 …T.P. Cooke, the true British sailor, is warming all
loyal bosoms by his graphic pictures of the hardy tar who has braved the battle
and the breeze. Black Eyed Susan, My Poll and
my Partner Joe, and Poor Jack, seem to rejoice in perennial
existence, and Mr. T.P. Cooke to have discovered the elixir vitae; for his eye is as bright, his voice as clear, his
limbs as pliant, and his trim as taut as when he spun his first yarn, and
danced his first hornpipe, many and many a long year since. New dramas by recognized authors are also produced in quick succession, and the manager has written some exceedingly clever pieces, amongst which we cite a very pleasant original drama, acted last night, entitled Which is the King? of which the plot, though slight, is ingenious, and the language spirited.3
Last night was performed, for the first time, a new and
original comic drama, in one act, entitled
Which is the King? The materials of which the plot is composed are of
very slender description, but they seemed to suffice for the amusement of the
audience. Henry the Fourth of France
(Miss Sophia Villars) disguised as a minstrel, visits the chateau of M. de
Branville (Mr. Tindell)… just at the time that De Branville’s daughter (Miss M.
Oliver) is about to be forced into a marriage with Baron Ritzdorf (Mr. J.W.
Ray). The young lady mistakes the King for a lover who was to arrive in a
similar disguise, and after an explanation she commits herself to the protection
of the monarch, who, as may be supposed, easily prevents the dreaded union with
the Baron, and obtains her father’s consent to her marriage with her
lover. The performers exerted themselves in their respective parts, and the piece was successful.4
A very smart little piece, called “Which is the King,”
brought out here on Monday, gives Miss Villars a capital opportunity of
sustaining the part of Henry IV (of France) with great spirit and effect. It is admirably mounted, played throughout
with general excellence, and, as a matter of course, entirely successful. The houses have been excellent, not only in regard to
numbers, but the quality of the visitors.5 Resources The script for this play is available at the Internet Archives A dramatic reading of the play is available at Librivox Further Reading on this Play The Lost Plays of Walter Watts – Which is the King: Part 1 –
discussion of the economic considerations that may have influenced the play’s
composition The Lost Plays of Walter Watts – Which is the King: Part 2 –
Watts plays with notion of dual identity in his romantic comedy Notes
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