Bluebeard is a French folktale. The
best-known version appeared in 1697. The storyline
has various permutations, but the basic plot always
includes a blue-bearded, wife-killing nobleman.
Many talented artists have illustrated Bluebeard,
including W. Heath Robinson, Walter Crane, R.
Heighway, John Austen, Harry Clarke, and Edmund
Dulac.
The 1903 Bluebeard production by
Klaw & Erlanger, put a bad nobleman with a flock
of wives into a vaudeville-like pantomime with
comedy, dance, exotic costumes, hundreds of
performers and extravagant lighting. Children
loved it,
theater critics held their noses.
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