Quality Street

Prior to his more well-known work, Peter Pan, J. M. Barrie wrote a play in four acts called Quality Street. Two sisters in the narrative open a school 'for aristocratic children.' In 1901, the first Broadway production debuted, and it barely ran for 64 performances. The musical was then performed in London, where it ran for 459 performances and became a success. Up until World War II, it was regularly renewed. The drama was adapted for the screen twice; in the first, in 1927, Marion Davies starred, and in the second, in 1937, Katharine Hepburn did. Christopher Hassall and Harry Parr Davies’ adaptation for musical theater, Dear Miss Phoebe, debuted in 1950. Quality Street chocolates and caramels were named after the play since it was so well-liked, and the confectionery’s initial advertising and packaging featured playgoers. Hicks and Terriss’ cul-de-sac was renamed 'Quality Street' when they relocated to a new house, The Old Forge in Merstham, Surrey. The play had its world premiere on October 11, 1901, at the Valentine Theatre in Toledo, Ohio. It was produced by Charles Frohman and starred Maude Adams, but it only lasted for 64 moderately successful performances.