MR DARRELL AND THE DRAMATISATION OF “MAN AND WIFE.”

Evening Star, Issue 3901, 25 August 1875, Page 3

MR DARRELL AND THE DRAMATISATION OF “MAN AND WIFE.”

To the Editor. SlB, —Your dramatic contributor baa levelled his critical venom at my dsvoted head with tolerable regularity and precision. He has thereby gained me many friends. I thank him, and trust sincerely that he will continue to abuse me during the remnant of my engagement here, more especially on the nights prior to my farewell benefit, as by so doing bo will aid very materially In filling the house. In your issue of August 24 he impugns my veracity. This is going too far, and I think it necessary to reply. The notice in question reads

The performance purported to be a dwEmatlsed version, by Mr Darrell, of Wilkie Collins’s wellknown work bearing that name, but with the exception of a few slang phrases, such as “ quid " for pound, “greed” for money, and an occasional unnecessary expletive, it was exactly identical with the play as when produced some two years age by Mr M'Gowan, wha likewise assumed to be its adapter.” My drama was written early in 1870, and first produced in Queensland, and shortly afterwards at the Victoria Thdatre, Sydney, where it had a long and successful run, I have subsequently played it for over 100 times, and never had the authorship questioned. Mr M ‘Go wan produced his version in 1873, and it was not by an means identical ; on the contrary, it was in many instances decidedly dissimilar. For the proof of this assertion I have the authority of the artiste* who have played in both versions. With regard to the “expletives,” they are Wilkie Collins’s, not mine. In oonclosioa, I may remark that my professional position is far too well assured and recognised in the Australias to render it likely that I should descend to the felonious practice of placing my name before another man’s work. —I am, &c., Geobgb Dakbell. Shamrock Hotel, August 25.