It was first produced in London at Covent Garden Theatre on 15 February 1838 and was revived many times over the rest of the 19th century.
Beauséant persuades Melnotte to disguise himself as a foreign prince to trick Pauline into marrying him.
Its first production in America was in 1838 at New York's Park Theatre, with a cast including Mrs. Richardson as Pauline, Edwin Forrest as Melnotte, Charlotte Cushman as the Widow Melnotte, and Peter Richings as Beauséant.
[2] An article in 1899 in Hawaiian Star commented: "The play is Bulwer-Lytton's masterpiece for the stage, and has held its place as a standard drama for near on to half a century, being as popular now as when it was first produced.
[citation needed] Media related to The Lady of Lyons at Wikimedia Commons