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Blandings - the logo of www.blandings.org.uk, the Companion to the works of P G Wodehouse

A Gentleman of Leisure

A play

By John Stapleton and P. G. Wodehouse, based on Wodehouse's novel The Intrusion of Jimmy.

First produced 24 August 1911 at The Playhouse, New York (76 performances).

Also produced starting 30 March 1913 at McVicker's Theatre, Chicago under the title A Thief for a Night.

This play was produced many times in the next few years - a clear favourite - including in London (as A Thief for a Night).

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This also had the pre-production working title The Black Sheep. One wonders why it changed twice. And why did the first production use the title of the book that was used in the UK?

The first New York production starred Douglas Fairbanks, a big actor of the day and father of Douglas Fairbanks Jr. one of the first true movie stars. The Chicago production starred John Barrymore, one of the great US acting families with brother Lionel and sister Ethel, and grandfather of Drew.