From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: A prose drama in five acts and a prologue. By Alexandre Dumas and Amédée de Jallais.
Being drawn from the romance of the same title, readers of this latter will readily understand the difficulties which beset its stage production. Lambert is a despicable character, and the role was difficult. Nevertheless, when Amédée de Jallais brought Dumas a scenario drawn from the romance, the author was strongly attracted. According to Ferry, the critics were rendered hostile by some remarks made by Dumas, and gave it an ill reception. This, together with the unsatisfactory leading part, resulted in a run of only twenty-three performances. It was however again staged at the Théâtre Beaumarchais in 1868, under the altered title of "Gabriel le Faussaire," and was then better received.
First performed at the Ambigu Comique Theatre on the 16th of March, 1866.
Re-staged, as "Gabriel le Faussaire," at the Théâtre Beaumarchais on the 23rd of September, 1868.
Original edition: Paris, Michel Lévy Frères, 12mo., 1866.
It now forms part of Vol. XXIV. in the 25 Vol. edition of the plays, and is included in the final volume of the series in 15 Vols. issued by Calmann-Lévy.
References :— Lecomte: "Alexandre Dumas," pp. 121-22,
Ferry: "Dernières Années d'Alexandre Dumas," pp. 42-47. Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alexandre Dumas," page 37. Glinel: "Alexandre Dumas et Son Œuvre," page 468.
