The Barretts of Wimpole Street written by Rudolf Besier and produced at the Empire Theatre, New York City, in 1931

Scenes from The Barretts of Wimpole Street written by the American playwright Rudolf Besier (1878 - 1942) and produced at the Empire Theatre, New York City, having run for 370 performances from February 9 to December, 1931, starring Katharine Cornell.

In search of an American production, Besier was rebuffed by 27 producers, then the actress Katharine Cornell took an interest in the play and had it staged at the Hanna Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio on 29 January 1931. The play then went to Broadway, where it opened on 9 February, at the Empire Theatre, starring Cornell and Brian Aherne, running for 370 performances. The Stage wrote in 1974 that Elizabeth was Cornell's most famous part.

The play's last agonizing moment as Henrietta hands Barrett Elizabeth's note. Mr. Charles Waldron, Miss [Margaret] Barker, and Miss Joyce Carey in the foreground, as Barrett, Henrietta and Arabella. In the background are four of the eight sons.

Brian Aherne and Katharine Cornell in the original Broadway production of The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1931)

Katharine Cornell as Elizabeth Barrett 

See the Full Cast and Staff