“UNDER TWO FLAGS.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4272, 28 November 1874, Page 3

“UNDER TWO FLAGS.”

Sir, —In justice to the dramatic adapter of Ouida’s novel, “Under Two Flags,” now being performed in the Theatre Royal, will you oblige me by inserting in your columns the following statement of facts. The play, of which Mias Clara Stephenson possesses a copy, the original M. 9. being in my possession, was dramatised by my wife, in the unprecedentedly short space of five days, the acting copy being prepared, and all the business of the piece arranged in the same space of time by myself. In England this would be considered rather smart work; but the management of the Theatre Royal, Wellington, however, do not even consider it necessary to append the adapter’s name to the bills and announcements of the play. The scenic artist’s name is starred, and the French gentleman who “sketched the costumes and scenes” on the spot is made a feature of, while the name of the dramatic adapter of the drama is not thought worthy of mention. The latter is in direct contravention of my agreement with Miss Stephenson, as when I sold her a copy of the drama, she promised wherever she produced it to acknowledge the share Mrs. Searle had in the work. Successful caterers for the colonial stage are not so plentiful that I can afford to waive even the credit that is due to the skilful preparer for the stage of such a piece as “Under Two Flags.—l am, &c., Charles Francis Searle. Auckland, Nov. 20.