About the Show

A parade of eccentric characters and merry mishaps ensue in Dion Boucicault's 1841 comedy of manners.

From the show:

In this high-spirited farce, the vain and lustful Sir Harcourt Courtly travels to Oak Hall to meet his bride-to-be, the charming young Grace Harkaway, whose hand comes with £15,000 a year. But when the beautiful and vibrant Lady Gay Spanker joins the party, Sir Harcourt becomes too enamored with her to notice that Grace is falling in love with his young son Charles, who has arrived in disguise, pursued by his creditors! A parade of eccentric characters and merry mishaps ensue in this classic comedy of manners.

This beloved play catapulted the then 20-year-old Dion Boucicault to fame when it premiered at London’s Covent Garden in March of 1841. It was the beginning of a long and storied career for the young Irish actor/playwright, who is considered one of the most successful and influential theatrical figures of the 19th Century.

Critic Reviews (10)

"‘London Assurance’ Minds Its Manners: A 19th-century comedy from Dion Boucicault, at the Irish Repertory Theater, showcases some delicious characters in an imperfect vehicle."
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3/5 Stars "Inspires more grins more than guffaws. But while this antique can never truly shake off all its dust, Moore is blessed to have gifted stage vet McPhillamy in the central role...It's a testament to the artistry of this production that it makes the play so assuredly agreeable."
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"London Assurance is a Victorian Comedy About Old Man Swagger: Dion Boucicault's breakthrough comedy gets a revival at the Irish Rep."
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"'London Assurance' is a perfect whirligig of complications, all of them neatly tidied up, in time for the final curtain, by a playwright more interested in symmetry than reality."
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"To be sure, Boucicault's comedy isn't a masterpiece, but it's silly fun, especially with a cast that's having a good time, which the Rep's company certainly is. And although the production could use a little tightening...this 'London Assurance' is a holiday treat the whole family can enjoy."
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3/5 Stars. "While the pleasures of the play may be eternal, modern productions require a particular dexterity. This production's shortcomings notwithstanding, it's not a bad place to spend a chilly evening."
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"Fortunately, the Irish Repertory Theatre's founder and award-winning director Charlotte Moore has found the right formula to pull this tricky kind of comedy off with her assured production of Dion Boucicault's 1841 play London Assurance."
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"'London Assurance' is still a witty and lively play after almost 180 years. With its farcical elements laid over a drawing room comedy plot, Charlotte Moore's adroit production...mines the play for all of its humor and wisdom concerning the foibles of human nature and self-delusion."
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Cast and creative team

Irish Repertory Theatre