The Frozen Deep (play)

The Frozen Deep (play) is a dramatic play written by Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, first performed in 1857 at Tavistock House, the London home of Charles Dickens. The play was written for a benefit performance for the family of Augustus Le Plongeon, a friend of Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, and was later performed at the Manchester Free Trade Hall and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The play's success led to its publication in 1857, with Bradbury and Evans as the publishers, and it has since been recognized as an important work in the careers of both Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, who were also friends with Elizabeth Gaskell and William Makepeace Thackeray.

Background

The Frozen Deep was written during a time of great literary productivity for both Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, who were also involved in the Garrick Club and the Royal Literary Fund. Wilkie Collins had recently published his novel The Woman in White, while Charles Dickens was working on his novel Little Dorrit, which was being serialized in All the Year Round. The play's themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption were influenced by the literary and social movements of the time, including the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the Social Reform movement. The play's setting, the Arctic Circle, was also a popular subject in literature and art at the time, with works such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Plot

The play tells the story of two explorers, Richard Wardour and Frank Aldersley, who are rivals for the affections of Clara Burnham, a beautiful and kind-hearted woman. The story takes place in the Arctic Circle, where Richard Wardour and Frank Aldersley are part of an expedition to reach the North Pole. As the expedition faces numerous challenges and dangers, Richard Wardour and Frank Aldersley must confront their own personal demons and make sacrifices for the sake of their fellow explorers and the woman they both love. The play's plot is influenced by the works of Jules Verne and Herman Melville, and features themes and motifs similar to those found in Moby-Dick and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

Characters

The play features a range of characters, including Richard Wardour, a brooding and intense explorer; Frank Aldersley, a charming and affable young man; and Clara Burnham, a beautiful and kind-hearted woman. Other characters include Lucy Crayford, a young woman who is in love with Frank Aldersley, and John Want, a gruff but lovable sailor. The characters in the play are influenced by the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, and feature complex motivations and relationships similar to those found in Pride and Prejudice and Hamlet. The play also explores themes of love and relationships, similar to those found in the works of The Brontë sisters and George Eliot.

Production_history

The Frozen Deep was first performed in 1857 at Tavistock House, the London home of Charles Dickens. The play was performed by a cast of amateur actors, including Charles Dickens himself, who played the role of Richard Wardour. The play was later performed at the Manchester Free Trade Hall and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, with Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens in attendance. The play's production history is notable for its use of innovative stage effects, including the use of limelight and scenic design to create a realistic Arctic environment. The play's production was also influenced by the works of David Garrick and Sarah Siddons, and features a similar style and tone to the productions of the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden.

Reception

The Frozen Deep was well-received by audiences and critics, who praised its dramatic plot and strong characters. The play was seen as a major success for both Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, and helped to establish them as two of the leading literary figures of their time. The play's reception was also influenced by the literary and social movements of the time, including the Aesthetic movement and the Social Reform movement. The play has since been recognized as an important work in the careers of both Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, and continues to be studied and performed today, alongside other works such as Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. The play's themes and motifs have also been influential in the works of other authors, including Robert Louis Stevenson and Joseph Conrad.

Category:Plays by Wilkie Collins Category:Plays by Charles Dickens