R530430C. Colombe’s Birthday.
The Court Journal, 30 April 1853, p. 279.
As reprinted in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 19, 386.
Haymarket.—On Monday evening, Mr. Robert Browning’s play of “Colombe’s Birthday” was produced for the first time at this theatre. Although new to the stage, it appeared a considerable time since in the pages of a serial, and as a literary composition has been much admired, but the meagreness of the plot must prevent its taking a permanent position on the stage. The heroine is Colombe of Ravenstein [sic], the Duchess of Juliers and Cleves, who being young, confiding, and unsuspecting, is imposed upon by her courtiers as to the actual position of her misruled country, which she believes is flourishing, while there is really the greatest distress existing. This disagreeable truth is, however, conveyed to her by Valence, a young advocate, and she is thereupon anxious to resign her crown to Prince Berthold, who lays claim to the throne, but who, at the same time, that no difficulties may arise, offers her his hand. An attachment has, however, sprung up towards the young advocate, and she wavers between rank and love,—when, after a few brief struggles, love is triumphant, and she resigns the crown. Slight as this plot is, it was still a suitable vehicle for language which was distinguished for freshness and nature, and which, at times, reached the limits of the highest poetry, feeling, and philosophical thought. The play was admirably supported by the acting of Miss Helen Faucit, as Colombe, who returns with all her former powers to please and fascinate, and who, by her graceful and poetical conception of this character, did much, perhaps all, towards the success of the piece; she was warmly received by the audience, who fully appreciated her endeavours. Mr. Barry Sullivan, as Valence, and Mr. Howe, as Prince Berthold, were both excellent in their respective characters, and their acting characterised by earnestness and good sense. The other parts were well sustained by Messrs. Farren, Rogers, Tilbury, Braid, H. Corri, and Miss A. Vining.
Reviewed:
Colombe’s Birthday (RB), performance, London, 25 April 1853.
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