Agis (play)

Agis, A Tragedy is a blank verse tragedy by the Scottish dramatist John Home. It was his first play, but has been greatly overshadowed, by his second (and once famous) play Douglas.[1] It was first performed in 1747.

Agis
Written byJohn Home
Date premiered21 February 1758
Place premieredTheatre Royal, Drury Lane
Original languageEnglish
GenreTragedy

It is a classical drama, based on the life of Agis, King of Sparta and is founded on Plutarch's narrative.[2]

After writing the play in Scotland in 1747, Home took it to London, and submitted it to David Garrick for representation at Drury Lane, but it was rejected as unsuitable for the stage.[2] The play was produced later at Drury Lane on 21 February 1758 by Garrick. It was interpreted by good actors, the play was performed for eleven days but considered inferior to Douglas, another Home's play. The Drury Lane cast featured David Garrick as Lysander, Henry Mossop as Agis, William Havard as Amphares, Thomas Davies as Euxus, Charles Holland as Reusus, Hannah Pritchard as Ageistrata, Mary Ann Yates as Sandane and Susannah Cibber as Euathane.[3]

References

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Home, John". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

  1. "AGIS (PLAY)". diplomatsoccer.yahoocashsolutions4idiots.com. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  2. "HOME, John", in 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica
  3. Hogan p.647

Bibliography
  • Nicoll, Allardyce. A History of English Drama 1660–1900: Volume III. Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  • Hogan, C.B (ed.) The London Stage, 1660–1800: Volume IV. Southern Illinois University Press, 1968.

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