The Octoroon

Written in 1859, Dion Boucicault’s The Octoroon was rare in its daring to deal with the explosive subject of slavery. It is shocking, now, to read what then was considered liberalism, and this play is a disturbing record of one of the most shameful recurring themes in the drama, and the character, of America. Interesting, too, is the major change Boucicault made in the resolution of the play when he transferred it from London to New York — but the Pearl will leave that for our post-reading discussion.

Part of the Pearl Theatre’s summer event, America: The Reading Series.