Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1837

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Hide and Seek, or Natural Magic: a Farce, by J. B. Buckstone, 1846, Ms. Codex 1837, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1846 (inclusive)

Creator:

Buckstone, John Baldwin

Form:

One-act plays, English, Manuscripts, English -- 19th century, Farces, Plays (performing arts compositions), and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

Paper volume containing a comedic, one-act play entitled Hide and Seek, or Natural Magic: a Farce written by John Baldwin Buckstone dated 1846.

Buckstone was an English actor, playwright, and comedian born in Hoxton, London, England. He was educated to become a solicitor, but joined a traveling acting troupe in 1821. Following his successful stage appearences at London theaters in 1823, Buckstone began perfoming at the Adelphi Theatre where he later wrote and produced plays. He worked in the summer season at the Haymarket theatre in 1833 where he later served as theater manager from the years from1853 to 1878. Buckstone was the author of over 150 plays. In 1828 Buckstone married Anne Maria Honeyman and the couple had five children. He was involved with and planned to marry actress Fanny Copeland Fitzwilliam, tragically she died from cholera in 1854 one month before the impending wedding. In 1857 Buckstone married Isabella Copeland. They had twelve children between the years 1857 and 1876.

This hand-sewn volume containing a comedic, one-act play has a paper-cover title page and consists of nineteen bifolia. The play is written on the verso of each leaf. Characters and stage notes are underlined in red ink. A cast of five characters is written on the inside front cover: Mordaunt, Merton, Mrs. Mordaunt, Charlotte, and Jane. Two actresses Mrs. Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Keeley are listed to play the roles of Charlotte and Jane. A note regarding Mrs. Fitzwilliam playing the role of Jane is written below the cast list. There are short notes and abbreviations in pencil written throughout the volume. "This is another version of the 'Secret'" is written in pencil on the front cover possibly referring to a play by Thomas Meadows entitled My husband's secret, or, Natural magic first performed at the Adelphi in 1822.