André (play) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids André |
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| Written by | William Dunlap |
| Date of premiere | March 30, 1798 |
| Place of premiere | Park Theatre, New York City |
The play André; a Tragedy in Five Acts is a historical drama written by William Dunlap. It was first performed at the Park Theatre in New York City on March 30, 1798. The story is about Major John André, a British officer who was put to death for spying during the American Revolutionary War. This happened after he was involved in the betrayal by Benedict Arnold.
The play does not focus on all the historical details. Instead, it tells a fictional story about the Americans debating whether to spare André's life or execute him. Only three characters in the play are based on real people: André himself, George Washington (called "The General" in the play), and Honora Sneyd. Honora was briefly engaged to André years before. Even though the play adds fictional parts, it shows the real sadness many Americans felt about having to execute the talented young officer. The play is also known for its well-written verse, which was unusual for plays in the 1700s.
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About the Play "André"
Why Was "André" Important?
This play is special because it was the first American tragedy written about an American topic. A "tragedy" is a serious play where the main character often faces a sad or terrible end. Even though today it is seen as Dunlap's best work, it was not very popular when it first came out.
Why Wasn't "André" Popular?
The play's lack of popularity came from how it showed André. Some people thought it made him seem too heroic, which was controversial because he was a British spy. On opening night, the audience became angry. This happened when a character named Bland, an American soldier, threw his cockade to the ground. A cockade was a ribbon or badge worn by Patriots during the American Revolution. It was also worn by revolutionaries during the French Revolution.
The audience was upset for two reasons. First, Bland was showing too much emotion over the fate of a British spy. Second, throwing the cockade on the floor was seen by many as Dunlap criticizing the American Revolution itself.
Later Adaptations of the Play
Later, William Dunlap used many ideas from André in another play he wrote. This play was called The Glory of Columbia, Her Yeomanry. This new play had a more common-person, or "populist," feel, which was popular in theaters at the time. The Glory of Columbia, Her Yeomanry was performed regularly for 50 years after it was written.
