The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs (French: La Vie singulière d'Albert Nobbs) is a play by French author Simone Benmussa. Based on a novella by George Moore, the drama tells the story of a 19th-century woman who disguises herself as a man to avoid poverty. The role of Albert Nobbs was originated by French actress Juliet Berto. The drama premiered in November 1977 at the Théâtre d'Orsay in Paris.[1]
Having spent much of his life disguised as a man, Dublin hotel butler Albert Nobbs is shocked when he meets a female painter, Hubert Page, who is also living as a man. Upon seeing Hubert's happy domestic situation, Albert resolves to set up a similar arrangement for himself.
| Character | 1978 British Cast New End Theatre | Original 1982 Off-Broadway cast | 2011 Film cast | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Nobbs | Susannah York | Glenn Close | ||
| Hubert Page | Stephanie Beacham | Lucinda Childs | Janet McTeer | |
| Helen Dawes | Julia Foster | Pippa Pearthree | Mia Wasikowska | |
| Madge Baker | Nan Munro | Patricia O'Connell | Pauline Collins | |
The play's English-language version premiered on 27 June 1978 at London's New End Theatre with Susannah York in the lead.[2] Translated by Barbara Wright,[3] it was subsequently staged in Rome with Maddalena Cripa and in Ireland with Jane Brennan.
In 1982, Albert Nobbs premiered Off-Broadway at New York City's Manhattan Theater Club with Glenn Close in the main role. She won an Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance as Nobbs.[4] A version starring Judy Braha ran at Boston's New Ehrlich Theatre in 1984.[5]
The original French production was revived in Paris in 1988 with Aurore Clément in the title role. She won a Révélation Théâtrale prize from the Syndicat de la Critique Dramatique for her performance.
In 2011 the play was made into a film directed by Rodrigo García and starring Glenn Close.[6]