The Sign of the Cross (1895 Barrett), play
The Sign of the Cross (1895) is a play by Wilson Barrett.
Abstract
The story, set in the time of early Christianity and somehow inspired by Quo Vadis? (1895 Sienkiewicz), novel, related how a Prefect of Rome, Marcus Superbus, attempts to seduce a Christian maiden. She remains steadfast to her principles and the Prefect, now deeply in love, becomes a Christian and dies with her in the arena.
Editions, performances, translations
Premiered at the Lyric Theatre in New York, USA, and then, on 26 August 1895, at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, England. An instant and lucrative success.