The fateful night of April 14, 1865, is etched into the annals of American history, primarily for the tragic assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. While the events inside Ford’s Theatre have been meticulously documented, a curious question often arises, one that touches upon the era’s entertainment and the President’s personal life: “What play was President Lincoln watching?” The answer, in this case, is not a simple matter of theatrical preference, but rather a piece of popular entertainment that captivated audiences of the time, and whose selection inadvertently placed the President in the direct path of an assassin.
The play in question was “Our American Cousin,” a three-act comedy written by Benjamin A. Baker and first performed in 1858. Its journey to American shores and subsequent popularity are worth exploring to understand why it was chosen for that particular evening, and why its familiar rhythms were to be so brutally interrupted.
The Rise of “Our American Cousin”
“Our American Cousin” was not just another play; it was a theatrical phenomenon of its time. Its success can be attributed to several factors, including its timely themes, engaging characters, and a particular brand of humor that resonated with a broad audience.
A Reflection of the American Identity
The play’s narrative centered on Asa Trenchard, a rough-hewn, unsophisticated American visiting his wealthy English relatives, the Mountchessingtons. This fish-out-of-water scenario provided ample opportunity for comedic misunderstandings and cultural clashes. The character of Asa, embodying a distinctly American spirit of bluntness, ingenuity, and perhaps a touch of naiveté, was a mirror reflecting the nascent national identity. In a post-Civil War era, the idea of America, with its diverse peoples and evolving social structures, was a potent theme. The play celebrated these differences, portraying them as sources of amusement and ultimately, unity.
Character Archetypes and Comedic Brilliance
The play’s strength lay in its well-drawn, albeit often stereotypical, characters. Beyond Asa, there was the sharp-tongued, calculating Lady Meryton, the somewhat dim-witted Lord Dundreary (whose catchphrase, “Dundrearyism,” entered the lexicon as a type of nonsensical utterance), and a host of other figures who represented various strata of society. The humor was derived from their interactions, their foibles, and the dramatic irony inherent in the situations. While modern audiences might find some of the jokes dated or even mildly offensive by contemporary standards, for the 19th-century theatergoer, they were uproarious. The play offered a lighthearted escape from the often harsh realities of life, and this escapism was precisely what many sought in their evening’s entertainment.
A Touring Sensation
“Our American Cousin” became a staple of American theater, touring extensively across the country. Its accessibility and broad appeal made it a popular choice for theaters large and small. Ford’s Theatre, a prominent venue in Washington D.C., was no exception. The play had already enjoyed a successful run there, and its return was met with enthusiasm. The fact that it was a known commodity, a crowd-pleaser, likely contributed to its selection for a presidential outing.
The Presidential Box and the Chosen Performance
The decision for President Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, to attend “Our American Cousin” on that particular evening was not arbitrary, but rather a reflection of the social and political climate of the time.
A Night of Relaxation and Reconciliation
By April 1865, the Confederacy had surrendered, and the long, bloody Civil War was effectively over. The nation was poised on the precipice of a new era, one of reconstruction and healing. For President Lincoln, who had borne the immense burden of leading the country through its greatest crisis, a night of entertainment was a welcome respite. The Lincolns, particularly Mary, were known to enjoy theatrical performances, and “Our American Cousin” was a popular choice for such outings. It offered a chance to relax, to be entertained, and to engage in a social activity that was part of the Washington elite’s routine. The play’s themes of American unity and the celebration of national character would have likely resonated with the President, offering a sense of optimism for the future.
The Lincoln’s Familiarity with Ford’s Theatre
The Lincolns were frequent patrons of Ford’s Theatre. They had attended numerous performances there, and the venue was a familiar and comfortable setting for them. This familiarity, however, proved to be a tragic vulnerability. The layout of the presidential box, its proximity to the stage, and the ease with which an individual could access it from the back of the theatre were all factors that John Wilkes Booth would exploit. The intimacy of the theatre, intended to foster a connection between performers and audience, instead became a conduit for tragedy.
The Presidential Box as a Symbol
The presidential box itself held a certain symbolic significance. It was a place of prominence, a physical manifestation of the President’s status and authority. When occupied, it drew the attention of the entire audience, placing the occupants on a pedestal, quite literally. For the actors, performing for the President was a significant honor, and for the audience, a glimpse of their leader was a source of national pride. On that fateful night, however, this elevated position would make the President an unmissable target.
The Unforeseen Interruption
The selection of “Our American Cousin” for April 14, 1865, was a choice made for enjoyment and relaxation, an attempt to mark the nascent peace with a shared cultural experience. The tragic irony is that the play’s very popularity and the relaxed atmosphere it fostered provided the perfect cover for its ultimate disruption.
Booth’s Opportunity
John Wilkes Booth, an actor and a Confederate sympathizer, was intimately familiar with Ford’s Theatre and its schedule. He knew the play being performed, and he understood the routine of the presidential party. The timing of the performance, the specific act and scene where Booth would make his move, was all part of his meticulously planned assassination. The play provided a soundtrack of laughter and applause, a cacophony that would mask the sound of his entry and his fatal act. The fact that “Our American Cousin” was a comedy, a play designed to elicit mirth, made the subsequent horror all the more jarring.
The Play’s Role in the Assassination
The play itself became an unwitting accomplice to the assassination. During the performance, there was a specific line in the third act, delivered by the character Asa Trenchard, which was known to elicit considerable laughter from the audience. Booth knew that at this precise moment, the audience’s attention would be focused on the stage, and their collective laughter would provide the perfect auditory cover for him to enter the unguarded presidential box and carry out his plan. This specific comedic beat, a moment of peak enjoyment for the audience, became the tragic backdrop to the President’s final moments. The play’s climax of humor was to be superseded by the play’s ultimate tragedy.
The Aftermath and the Enduring Legacy
The assassination of President Lincoln irrevocably altered the course of American history. The jubilant mood of a nation celebrating the end of a war was shattered by grief and disbelief. “Our American Cousin,” once a beloved piece of American entertainment, became forever intertwined with this national trauma. The play continued to be performed, but its shadow was long. Every laugh, every cheer from the audience, would forever carry the echo of that devastating night. The title of the play, once a simple descriptor of its narrative, now carries a profound historical weight, forever linked to the question of what was happening on stage as a nation lost its leader. The play was a celebration of America, and on its night, America suffered its greatest loss.