| The French Spy | |
| Orig Title: | The French Spy; or, The Fall of Algiers[1] |
| Based On: | Invasion of Algiers |
| Premiere: | 1831 |
| Place: | London, England |
| Orig Lang: | English |
| Genre: | Pantomime |
The French Spy; or, The Fall of Algiers is a pantomimic drama written by J.T. Haines in the 1830s.
John Thomas Haines authored the pantomime titled The French Spy in the early 1830s, a military drama reflecting the French occupation of Algiers, created for Madame Céleste. Written in 1831, the script required Mme. Céleste to play a travesti role and portray multiple characters. Haines' 20-page stage direction script was notably elaborated upon by Celeste.[2] Madame Céleste had once performed The French Spy 200 times in one year.[3]
The original characters included Mathilde de Grammont, the heroine, who assumed the characters of Pierre Graziot, a cadet of the Lancers, and Omar Almorid, an Arab boy.[4]
During the 19th century, the work saw many performances and adaptations with a variety of subtitles in various combinations.
The play was revived in 1837 as The French Spy; or, The Seige of Constantina with the same three roles: the spy, an Arab boy, and the heroine Mathilde.[5] Samuel French Ltd. published The French Spy; or, The Seige of Constantina: A Military Drama, in Three Acts.[6]
French dancer Marietta Ravel's production of The French Spy occurred in 1866.[7]