The Old Glory

The Old Glory is a theatrical trilogy written by Robert Lowell, first performed in 1964 at The American Place Theatre in New York City. The work adapts two Nathaniel Hawthorne short stories and a Herman Melville novella for the stage, transforming classic American literary works into dramatic performances. The original production garnered significant acclaim, winning five Obie Awards including Best American Play, with standout performances from Frank Langella, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Lester Rawlins. Due to length constraints, the first play was initially cut from the production, though it later received its own full staging in 1968 featuring Spalding Gray and Kenneth Haigh. The three interconnected plays examine themes of power, authority, and American identity through historical moments spanning from colonial New England to nineteenth-century seafaring life.

Readers appreciate Lowell's poetic language and dramatic adaptation of historical American events into theatrical form. Several note the plays' examination of power dynamics and moral ambiguity, with The Old Glory's exploration of colonial America resonating with modern audiences. Readers say the plays feel dense and challenging, requiring multiple readings to grasp the layered meanings. Some find the dramatic structure disjointed and the dialogue stilted. A common criticism is that the plays work better as poetry than staged performances. "The dialogue can be cryptic and the staging directions minimal," notes one Goodreads reviewer. "You have to work to find the meaning." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) Limited review data exists online, as the book remains primarily studied in academic settings rather than read widely by general audiences. Most available reviews come from scholarly journals and university collections.

The Crucible by Arthur Miller A dramatization of the Salem witch trials explores similar themes of colonial American power dynamics and moral authority found in Lowell's work.

Long Day's Journey into Night by Eugene O'Neill The transformation of American historical and personal narrative into theatrical form mirrors Lowell's adaptation technique.

Moby Dick: A Play by Orson Welles This stage adaptation of Melville's novel shares Lowell's interest in converting classic maritime literature into dramatic form.

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial by Herman Wouk The exploration of authority and rebellion at sea connects to Lowell's treatment of maritime power structures.

The Devil in Massachusetts by Marion L. Starkey This historical account of the Salem witch trials provides context for the colonial New England themes Lowell dramatizes.

🔹 Robert Lowell struggled with bipolar disorder throughout his life, which influenced many of his works and led to several hospitalizations during his most creative periods 🔹 "Benito Cereno," one of the trilogy's plays, is based on Melville's novella about a slave revolt at sea - a story that was itself inspired by real events aboard the Spanish ship Tryal in 1805 🔹 The trilogy premiered at the American Place Theatre with a cast including Frank Langella and Roscoe Lee Browne, who would both go on to become celebrated Broadway and Hollywood actors 🔹 Lowell's adaptation was groundbreaking in its time for addressing racial themes and colonial violence head-on, particularly in its portrayal of the Puritan treatment of Native Americans 🔹 The play's title "The Old Glory" refers to the American flag, but is used ironically to critique American mythmaking and the dark underpinnings of national pride