Matilda Heron's Camille

Abstract

O THOROUGH evaluation has been made of the American versions of Dumas' La Dame aux camelias, first played at the Theatre du Vaudeville, February 2, 1852. Stage annals, Odell's for New York, Sherman's for Chicago, Kendall's for New Orleans, and Gagey's for San Francisco, give the dates on which Camillel was enacted, the casts of characters, and sometimes the reactions of audiences. They criticize the performances of a great number of actresses who appeared in the role, including Jean Davenport, Laura Keene, Matilda Heron, Clara Morris, and Helen Modjeska. None of the accounts, however, analyze the similarities and differences between the French play and its American counterparts. In the present paper Matilda Heron's text has been selected for such a study. Comparison produces evidence to correct the opinion that she makes some changes but none that affects Dumas' conception of the piece.2 The success of her version was due in large part to her own originality as an adapter and interpreter. To a great extent she created the role of Camille she was to play. Heron was one of the most popular Camilles this country has known. After seeing Mme Doche play Marguerite Gautier in Paris during 1855, she translated the play and on her return to the United States presented it to American audiences. She first appeared at the Walnut Street Theater, Philadelphia, October 3, the same year. A few weeks later she drew large crowds with Camille at St. Louis. In New Orleans, she performed before packed houses two weeks after the theater was supposed to close. Her biggest triumph came in New York City at Wallack's Theater, January 22, 1857. Next day's Tribune reflected current opinion: Miss Heron may be pronounced a great artist. Her depth of expression sometimes surpasses Rachel in feminine intensity of love. She continued to enact the role in New York theaters. In 1859, she was welcomed as Camille at McVicker's Theater in Chicago; she returned to Chicago again in 1862. Her adaptation was seen in most of the important cities of the country. By September 1864, when she ended a long engagement at Niblo's Garden, she had