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On the evening of September 4, 1865, at the London Adelphi, the play was given. Accounts of current impressions are extant by Pascoe and Oxenford. It was not seen in New York until September 3, 1866, when it began a run at the Olympic, and it did not reach Boston until May 3, 1869. From the very first, it was destined to be Jefferson's most popular r�le. His royalties, as time progressed, were fabulous, or rather his profits, for actor, manager, and author were all rolled into one. He deserted a large repertory of parts as the years passed and his strength declined. But to the very end he never deserted Rip. At his death the play passed to his son, Thomas. The Jefferson version has been published with an interpretative introduction by him.
When it was first given, the play was scored for the apparent padding of the piece in order to keep Jefferson longer on the stage. The supernatural elements could not hoodwink the critics, but, as Jefferson added humanity to the part, and created a poetic, lovable character, the play was greatly strengthened. In fact Jefferson was the play. His was a classic embodiment, preserved in its essential details in contemporary criticism and vivid pictures.
[It is common knowledge that “Rip Van Winkle,” as a play, was a general mixture of several versions when it finally reached the hands of Joseph Jefferson. From Kerr to Burke, from Burke to Boucicault, from Boucicault to Jefferson was the progress. The changes made by Burke in the Kerr version are so interesting, and the similarities are so close, that the Editor has thought it might be useful to make an annotated comparison of the two. This has been done, with the result that the reader is given two plays in one. The title-page of the Kerr acting edition runs as follows: “Rip Van Winkle; A Legend of Sleepy Hollow. A Romantic Drama in Two Acts. Adapted from Washington Irving's Sketch-Book by John Kerr, Author of ‘Therese’, ‘Presumptive Guilt’, ‘Wandering Boys’, ‘Michael and Christine’, ‘Drench'd and Dried’, ‘Robert Bruce’, &c., &c. With Some Alterations, by Thomas Hailes Lacy. Theatrical Publisher. London.” The Burke version, used here as a basis, follows the acting text, without stage positions, published by Samuel French. An opera on the subject of “Rip Van Winkle,” the libretto written by Wainwright, was presented at Niblo's Garden, New York, by the Pyne and Harrison Troupe, Thursday, September 27, 1855. There was given, during the season of 1919–20, by the Chicago Opera Association, “Rip Van Winkle: A Folk Opera,” with music by Reginald de Kovan and libretto by Percy Mackaye, the score to be published by G. Schirmer. New York.]
CAST OF CHARACTERS
First performed at the West London Theatre (under the management of Mr. Beverley).
RIP VAN WINKLE
A Legend of the Sleepy Hollow
CHARACTERS
ACT I. 1763
The Spectre Crew of the Mountains, Farmers, &c.
A Lapse of Twenty Years occurs between the Acts.
Act II. 1783
CAST OF THE CHARACTERS
ACT II.—1783.—A lapse of twenty years is supposed to occur between the First and Second Acts.
ACT II.—1783.—A lapse of twenty years is supposed to occur between the First and Second Acts.
COSTUME
Rip—First dress:—A deerskin coat and belt, full brown breeches, deerskin gaiters, cap. Second dress:—Same, but much worn and ragged.
Knickerbocker—First dress:—Brown square cut coat, vest and breeches, shoes and buckles. Second dress:—Black coat, breeches, hose, &c.
Derric Van Slaus—Square cut coat, full breeches, black silk hose, shoes and buckles—powder.
Herman—First dress:—Ibid. Second dress:—Black frock coat, tight pants, boots and tassels.
Vedder }
Clausen } Dark square cut coats, vests, breeches, &c.
Rory }
Gustaffe—Blue jacket, white pants, shoes.
Seth Slough—Gray coat, striped vest, large gray pants.
Judge—Full suit of black.
Young Rip—A dress similar to Rip's first dress.
Dame—Short gown and quilted petticoat, cap.
Alice—First dress:—Bodice, with half skirt, figured petticoat. Second dress:—Brown satin bodice and skirt, &c.
Lorrenna, Act 1—A child.
Lorrenna, Act 2—White muslin dress, black ribbon belt, &c.
RIP VAN WINKLE
ACT I
SCENE I
A Village.—House, with a sign of “George III.”—Two or three tables.—Villagers discovered, smoking. Vedder, Knickerbocker, Rory, Clausen at table. Chorus at rise of curtain.
CHORUS
In our native land, where flows the Rhine,
In infancy we culled the vine:
Although we toiled with patient care,
But poor and scanty was our fare.
SOLO
Till tempting waves, with anxious toil,
We landed on Columbia's soil;
Now plenty, all our cares repay,
So laugh and dance the hours away.
CHORUS
Now plenty, all our cares repay,
So laugh and dance the hours away;
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
So laugh, ha, ha! and dance the hours away.
Vedder.
Neighbour Clausen, on your way hither, saw you anything of our friend, Rip Van Winkle? Where there's a cup of good liquor to be shared, he's sure to be on hand—a thirsty soul.
Knickerbocker.
Truly, the man that turns up his nose at good liquor is a fool, as we Dutchmen have it; but cut no jokes on Rip; remember, I'm soon to be a member of his family: and any insult offered to him, I shall resent in the singular number, and satisfaction must follow, as the Frenchmen have it.
Vedder.
So, Knickerbocker, you are really determined to marry Rip's sister, the pretty Alice?
Knickerbocker.
Yes, determined to be a prisoner in Hymen's chains, as the lovers have it. I've got Rip's consent, I've got Alice's consent, and I've got my own consent.
Clausen.
But have you got the dame's consent, eh?
Knickerbocker.
There I'm dished and done up brown; would you believe it? she calls me a long, scraggy, outlandish animal, and that I look like two deal boards glued together!
Rory.
Here comes Alice, and with her, Rip's daughter.
Enter Alice, with Lorrenna. [Lowena]1
Alice.
Come along, loiterer! Woe betide us when we get home, for having tarried so long! What will the dame say?
Lorrenna.
Well, it's not my fault, for you have been up and down the lane a dozen times, looking for the schoolmaster, Knickerbocker.
Alice.
Hold your tongue, Miss, it's no such thing.
Lorrenna.
You know you love him.
Alice.
How do you know that, Miss Pert?
Lorrenna.
I can see it; and seeing is believing, they say. Oh, you're monstrous jealous of him, you know you are.
Knickerbocker advances
Alice.
Jealous! I, jealous of him? No, indeed, I never wish to see his ugly face again.
Knickerbocker.
Say not so, sweet blossom of the valley, for in that case I shall shoot myself in despair.
Alice.
Oh, don't think of such a thing, for then your ghost might haunt me.
Lorrenna.
And I'm sure you would rather have him than his ghost, wouldn't you, Alice?
Knickerbocker.
That's a very smart child. But Alice, sweet Alice, can't I drop in this evening, when the old folks are out of the way?
Alice.
Not for the world; if the dame were to find you in the house, I don't know what would happen.
Lorrenna.
Don't you know, Alice, mammy always goes out for an hour in the evening, to see her neighbour, Dame Wrigrim; now, if you [To Knickerbocker.] come at eight o'clock, and throw some gravel at the window, there's no knowing but you might see Alice.
Knickerbocker.
That's an uncommon clever girl; but, Alice, I'm determined to turn over a new leaf with Dame Van Winkle; the next time I see her, I'll pluck up [my] courage and say to her—
Dame.
[Without.] Alice! Alice! odds bodikins and pins, but I'll give it you when I catch you.
The Villagers exit
Knickerbocker.
Run, Alice, run!
[Alice, Lorrenna and Knickerbocker run to right
Dame.
[Without.] Alice!
[Alice, Lorenna and Knickerbocker exeunt hastily
Rory.
Egad! the dame's tongue is a perfect scarecrow!
Vedder.
The sound of her voice sets them running just as if she were one of the mountain spirits, of whom we hear so much talk. [But where the deuce can Rip be all this while? [Rip sings without.] But talk of the devil and his imps appear.]2
Enter Rip Van Winkle, with gun, game-bag, &c
Rip.
Rip, Rip, wass is dis for a business. You are a mix nootze unt dat is a fact. Now, I started for de mountains dis mornin', determined to fill my bag mit game, but I met Von Brunt, de one-eyed sergeant—[comma see hah, unt brandy-wine hapben my neiber friend];3 well, I couldn't refuse to take a glass mit him, unt den I tooks anoder glass, unt den I took so much as a dozen, [do]4 I drink no more as a bottle; he drink no more as I—he got so top heavy, I rolled him in de hedge to sleep a leetle, for his one eye got so crooked, he never could have seed his way straight; den I goes to de mountain, [do]5 I see double, [d–d]6 a bird could I shooted. But I stops now, I drinks no more; if anybody ask me to drink, I'll say to dem—[Vedder comes down, and offers cup to him.]—here is your [go-to-hell],7 and your family's [go-to-hell], and may you all live long and [prosper].8 [Drinks.
Vedder.
Why, neighbour Rip, where have you been all day? We feared some of the [Elfin]9 goblins of the Catskill had caught you.
Rip.
Ha, ha! I never see no ghosts, though I've fought mit spirits in my time, ha, ha!
Vedder.
And they always throw you, eh? ha, ha!
Rip.
Dat's a fact! Ha, ha, ha!
Vedder.
But, Rip, where have you been?
Rip.
Rory.
They appear to have slipped through your game bag though, for it's full of emptiness.—Ha, ha, ha!
Rip.
Ho, ho, ho! cut no jokes at my bag or I'll gib you de sack.
Vedder.
Come, Rip, sit down, take a pipe and a glass and make yourself comfortable.
Rip.
[Nine, nine—ech con neiched—]12 it behoves a man to look after his interest unt not drink all de while, I shall den be able to manage—
Vedder.
Your wife, Rip?
Rip.
Rory.
Take one glass, Rip.17
Rip.
No, I won't touch him.
Vedder.
Come, come, lay hold.
Rip.
Now I'll be [d–d fun]18 I does.
Vedder.
Well, if you won't. [All go to table but Rip.
Rip.
Omnes.
Ha, ha, ha!
Rory.
Here, Rip, here's a glass at your service, and as for the contents I'll warrant it genuine and no mistake. [Gives Rip a cup.
Rip.
Rory.
Come, Rip, give us a stave.
Vedder.
Yes, yes, Rip, a stave, for the old dame will be after you soon and then we will all have to make a clearance.
Rip.
Oh, tunner wasser! [won't]24 my old woman skin me when I get home.
Vedder and Rory.
Ha, ha, ha! come, the song, the song.
Rip.
Well, here is Rip Van Winkle's warning to all single fellows.
SONG.—Rip
List, my friends, to caution's voice,
Ere de marriage knot you tie;
It is [the devil],25 mit shrews to splice,
Dat nobody can deny, deny,
Dat nobody can deny.
Chorus.—That nobody can deny, &c.
When a wife to rule once wishes,
Mit poor spouse 'tis all my eye,
I'm [d–d]26 if she don't wear de breeches,
Dat nobody can deny, deny,
Dat nobody can deny.
Chorus.—That nobody can deny, &c.
Yet dere is a charm about dem,
Do dere voices are so high
We can't do mit'em, [Pause.
Nor we can't do mit-out 'em,
Dat nobody can deny, deny,
Dat nobody can deny.
Chorus.—That nobody can deny, &c.27
Dame.
[Without.] Rip, Rip! I'll stretch your ears when I get hold of them.
Rip.
[Mine goot im himmel],28 dere is my frow.
Dame.
[Without.] Rip! you lazy varmint! Rip!
Rip.
[Gets under the table with bottle.] Look out, boys! de wild cat's coming.
Music.—Vedder, Rory and Clausen, at table.—Enter Dame, with a stick.
Dame.
Where is this wicked husband of mine! odds bodikins and pins! I heard his voice; you've hid him somewhere! you ought to be ashamed of yourselves to inveigle a husband from a tender, loving spouse; but I'm put upon by all, because they know the mildness of my temper.—[They laugh.]—Odds bodikins and curling irons, but some of you shall laugh the other sides of your mouths—I'll pull your pates for you.29
Music.—Chases them round table; they exit.—Dame upsets table and discovers Rip.
Dame.
Oh, you Rip of all rips! what have you to say for yourself?
Rip.
Here is your [go-to-hell],30 unt your family's, unt may you all live long and [prosper].
Dame.
[Pulling him down the stage by the ear.] I'm cool—that is to say not very hot: but the mildest temper in the world would be in a passion at such treatment. Get home, you drunken monster, or I sha'n't be able to keep my hands off you. Tell me, sir, what have you been about all day?
Rip.
Hard at work, my dumpsy dumpsy; de first ting I see dis morning was a fine fat rabbit.
Dame.
A rabbit? Oh, I do like rabbits in a stew; I like everything in a stew.
Rip.
I be [d–d]31 but dat is a fact.
Dame.
Well, well, the rabbit?
Rip.
I was going to tell you, well, dere was de rabbit feeding in de grass.
Dame.
Well, well, Rip?
Rip.
I [puts]32 my gun to my shoulder—
Dame.
Yes,—
Rip.
I takes goot aim mit him.
Dame.
Yes,—
Rip.
I [pulls]33 my trigger, unt—
Dame.
Bang went the gun and down the rabbit fell.
Rip.
Eh? snap went [de]34 gun and off de rabbit run. Ha, ha, ha!
Dame.
No!
Rip.
I be [d–d fun]35 dat is a fact.
Dame.
And you shot nothing?
Rip.
Dame.
Ducks?
Rip.
More as fifty black ducks—ducks as big as [a goose]39—well, I hauls up again.
Dame.
And so will I [Raising stick.] if you miss fire this time.
Rip.
Bang!
Dame.
How many down?
Rip.
[One!]40
Dame.
Not more than one duck out of fifty?
Rip.
Yes, a great deal more as [one] duck.
Dame.
Then you shot more than one?
Rip.
Yes, more as one duck,—I shot one old bull.
Dame.
What?
Rip.
I'm [d–d fun] dat is a fact! dat was one down, and [my goot im himmel]41 how he did roar and bellow, unt lash his tail, unt snort and sneeze, unt sniff! Well, de bull puts right after me, unt I puts right away fun de bull: well, de bull comes up mit me just as I was climbing de fence, unt he catch me mit his horns fun de [seat]42 of my breeches, unt sent me flying more as a mile high.—Well, by-and-bye directly, I come down aready in a big tree, unt dere I sticks fast, unt den—
Dame.
You went fast asleep for the rest of the day.
Rip.
Dat's a fact. How43 you know dat? you must be a witch.
Dame.
[Catching him by the collar.] Home, sir, home! you lazy scamp. [Beating him.
Rip.
But, mine lublicka frow—
Dame.
Home! [Beating him.
Rip.
[Nine! nine!—]44
Dame.
Home! [Beats him.
Rip.
[Mine goot im himmel.]45 [Music.—Dame beats him off.
Clausen. Well, she is a tartar, there's no denying that.
Vedder. Not but if she were my wife instead of Rip's. I warrant I'd soon tame her.
Clausen. Not you! But where the deuce …
Vedder. I wish she was my wife, I'd manage her.
Rip. And I wish she vas your vife too, or anybody's vife, so long as she vasn't mine vife.
Vedder. Oh. I wish I was your husband, Dame Winkle. [Exit.
Dame. You, my husband, you! [To the others.] Out of my sight, reprobates.
