A Critical Analysis of Edward Harrigan's Comedy (New York).

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a critical analysis of the complete canon of Edward Harrigan's seventy-nine extant comedies and demonstrate his development as a theatrical craftsman. The steps in this development are outlined by observing the patterns of change in these unpublished plays and the factors which affected those changes. The study also demonstrates how critical and popular response reflected this development. The dissertation is divided into three sections representing three periods of Harrigan's career: The Variety Years, 1871-1879; Harrigan's Heyday, 1879-1890; and The Decline of Harrigan's Art, 1891-1908. The plays are analysed according to Aristotle's six elements of drama. Section I includes chapters on his variety sketches, burlesques, melodramas, and one-act farces. These gained a following among the residents of New York's lower East side and in its popular press. Section II focuses on the variety farces and melodramas of the 1880's and his successful and unsuccessful well-made comedies. This decade saw the recognition of Harrigan's work by literary and legitimate theatrical critics as well as members of all socio-economic groups. The final section analyses drawing room comedies, vaudeville sketches, and revivals of old hits as well as Under Cover, his last full length play, and five unproduced manuscripts. Critics and audiences received these less enthusiastically: society and theatrical tastes had changed more rapidly than had Harrigan. These plays show that when American theatre entered a new century, Harrigan and his urban comedy were left behind. The research finds that Edward Harrigan's plays gained comic power, popularity, and critical acclaim which reached their peak in 1890. It also demonstrates that as his audience changed, the playwright attempted to adapt his style to suit its tastes. The study shows that Harrigan's comic genius lay in his ability to touch the lives of the people in his audience by using ethnic characters, familiar situations, lively lyrics, socially conscious themes, clever diction, and hilarious visual effects.