From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: A prose drama in five acts and thirteen tableaux, of which one is the prologue.
By Dumas and Maquet, which fact was first announced when the author's name was called for at the conclusion of a very, successful first night,
The title of the piece is a little misleading, since it is drawn from "Vingt Ans Après," and not, as might be expected, from "Les Trois Mousquetaires," a drama from which appeared later as "La Jeunesse des Mousquetaires."
At the time Gautier remarked that it was one of the longest dramas ever performed, at least in France, and, moreover, bore no love interest throughout. It commenced at half-past six and, with very brief interludes, concluded after one o'clock in the morning, yet it was listened to breathlessly from start to finish.
It resulted in the Duc de Montpensier sending for the author to his box, in order to congratulate him. At the same time he expressed disappointment that he had his pieces performed on an inferior stage. Dumas explained that, having no theatre of his own, he was compelled to get his plays where he could. The duc made it his business to obtain a license for his protégé, and the Théâtre Historique resulted.
First performed at the Ambigu Comique on the 27th of October, 1845.
Original edition : Paris, Marchant, 1845, large 8vo. of two columns, forming part of the "Magasin Théâtral," pp. 59.
In 1846 the same publishers issued a new edition, illustrated with six vignettes, large 8vo. of two columns.
It is now included in Vol. IX. of the 15 Vol. Calmann-Lévy edition of the plays, and in Vol. XIV. of the 25 Vol. series.
References :—
Dumas: "Mémoires," note to Chapter CCIX. Quérard: "Supercheries Littéraires Dévoilées," Vol. I., Columns 1077-1078. Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alex. Dumas," page 29. Glinel: "Alexandre Dumas et Son Œuvre," pp. 391-93. Gautier: "Art Dramatique," Série IV., pp. 134-36. Lecomte: "Alexandre Dumas," pp. 117 ; 212-13. Hostein: "Historiettes et Souvenirs," pp. 5-7 and 11.
"Blackwood's Magazine," the No. for October, 1846, contains a review of the drama.
Dumas: "Histoire de Mes Bêtes," Chapter XXXVI.
Parodies :—
"Les Trois Gendarmes," a verse parody in one act, by Gabriel Richard and Charles Monselet, performed at the Théâtre des Variétés at Bordeaux on the 18th of April, 1846. Published at Bordeaux, 4to., 1846.
"Fanfan le Bâtonniste à la representation des Mousquetaires parodie pot-pourri en 30 couplets."
"Les Trois Militaires . . . Plus Un," a parody on "Les Mousquetaires," in six tableaux, by MM. Guénée, de Leris and L. Couailhac. At the Théâtre des Délassements-Comiques, 8th December. 1845.
