| The Cardinal | |
| Setting: | Renaissance Rome and Florence |
| Date Of Premiere: | 21 October 1901 |
| Original Language: | English |
| Place: | Theatre Royal, Montreal |
| Genre: | Historical drama |
The Cardinal is a 1901 historical play by the British writer Louis N. Parker. It is set in Renaissance Italy at the height of the power of the Medici Dynasty.
It originally premiered at the Theatre Royal, Montreal before transferring to the Garden Theatre on Broadway. It then enjoyed a run of 106 performances at St James' Theatre in London's West End between 31 August and 5 December 1903. The original London cast included E.S. Willard, Frederick Volpe, Harry Lonsdale, Alice Lonnon, Joseph Farjeon and Helen Ferrers.[1]
See main article: The Cardinal (1936 film). In 1936 the play was adapted into a film of the same title directed by Sinclair Hill and starring Matheson Lang, Eric Portman and June Duprez.[2] It also inspired the 1945 Italian film L'abito nero da sposa directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Fosco Giachetti and Jacqueline Laurent. Furthermore it inspired the egyptian film "The Confession Chair". Youssef Wahbi, who had played the role of Cardinal Giovanni and also directed the movie and wrote its script, received a golden medal from the Vatican.[3]