Plays by Augustin Daly: A Flash of Lightning, Horizon, Love on

In this review of Plays by Augustin Daly, the reviewer recommends the collection to readers interested in 19th century American theatre and historical stagecraft because it gathers three representative works from a single influential dramatist in one volume. This edition showcases Daly's range from melodrama to comedy and highlights the theatrical effects and plot craftsmanship that made him a dominant figure of the period. For students, theatre practitioners, and readers of dramatic literature seeking primary examples of American stagewriting from the 1860s through the 1880s, this compilation is a focused resource.

Key Features

• Three plays in one volume: A Flash of Lightning, Horizon and Love on Crutches are presented together so readers can compare Daly's evolving approach across different years and genres.
• Historical perspective: The collection situates Daly as a dominant 19th century American theatre figure, useful for understanding transatlantic influence and his London presence in the 1890s.
• Theatrical effects highlighted: Daly's reputation as a contriver of stage effects is evident, offering practical examples for directors and designers studying period techniques.
• Representative selection: The plays span 1868 to 1884, giving a compact cross-section of Daly's prolific output without extraneous material.
• Useful for comparative study: Having three disparate works together makes it easier to track changes in tone, structure, and dramatic intent across decades.

Who It's For

This collection is well suited to theatre students, dramaturgs, and historians who want direct access to primary dramatic texts from a leading American manager-director of the late 19th century. It will also appeal to readers of classic drama who appreciate the period's melodramas and comedies and who want to study plays rather than secondary commentary.

Readers seeking modernized adaptations, annotated scholarly editions with extensive critical apparatus, or a wide survey of many playwrights should look elsewhere; this volume focuses on three original plays by Daly rather than a broad anthology or a heavily annotated scholarly treatment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Collects three distinct plays so readers can see Daly's range and recurring stagecraft approaches.
• Provides authentic examples of late 19th century American theatrical writing and production sensibility.
• Compact and focused, making it practical for classroom use or directed reading without extraneous material.

Cons

• Not a critical edition with extensive annotation or modern commentary, so readers seeking heavy scholarly notes may find it limited.

Specifications

Author / Editor	Don M. B. Wilmeth, Rosemary Cullen
Plays included	A Flash of Lightning; Horizon; Love on Crutches
Playwright	Augustin Daly
Original dates	1868, 1871, 1884 (plays from respective years)
Focus	American theatre, 19th century dramas and comedies
Use case	Study, classroom, historical reading

Our Verdict

Plays by Augustin Daly is a valuable, tightly focused collection for anyone studying 19th century American stagecraft or Daly's influence in England and the United States. It offers direct access to three representative plays and provides practical insight into period theatrical effects, making it strong value for students and practitioners who want primary texts rather than a heavily annotated scholarly volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these original texts or adaptations?
They are original plays by Augustin Daly compiled together to represent his work across several years.

Is this a scholarly edition with notes?
The volume presents the plays primarily as texts; it does not emphasize extensive modern annotation or critical apparatus.

Who edited this collection?
The edition is prepared by Don M. B. Wilmeth and Rosemary Cullen, who compiled the three plays for this volume.