2-888-633 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene from the New Comedy of "The Catspaw", at the Haymarket Theatre, [London], 1850. 'The announcement of a new comedy by Mr. Douglas Jerrold was an event sure to command attention. In fact, the most lively expectations had been formed of the result. Those expectations were only partially realised. In all Mr. Jerrold's dramatic works there had been manifested a tendency to make construction, and occasionally even the development of character, subordinate to that gentleman's unrivalled powers of writing brilliant dialogue and biting sarcasm. In this new work this tendency was carried to an extent which, but for the merits of the dialogue, might have been fatal to the success of the piece.' From "Illustrated London News", 1850.