Dorothy's Stratagem was first seen at the Criterion Theatre on 23 December 1876. In February 1877 it featured Mr. Ashley as Sir Frederick Selwyn, Mr. H. Standing as Arthur Selwyn, Mr. Charles Tritton as Reginald Brooke, Mr. Ridley as Christopher, Miss Myra Holme as Florence Mowbray, Miss Eastlake as Dorothy Fielding, Miss Edith Bruce as Rose, and Miss Maria Davis as Mrs. Bunch. On Bail opened at the Criterion on 3 February 1877 featuring Mr. Charles Wyndham as Mr. Jonathan Lovibond, Miss Fanny Josephs as The Duke of Darlington, Mr Edward Righton as Alfred Trimble, Mr. John Clarke as Mr. Marcooly, Mr. J. Francis as Wilcox, Mr. H. Ashley as Hebblethwaite, Mr. Charles Tritton as Portiboy, Mr. Ridley as Jackson, Messrs Seeborne & Wright as The Duke's Servants, Miss Eastlake as Fanny Lovibond, Miss Maurice as Miss Montmorenci, Miss Myra Holme as Miss De Courcy, Miss Spencer as Miss Fitzbattleaxe, Miss Naudaine as Miss De Vere, Miss Nelly Bromley as Mrs. Hebblethwaite, and Miss Edith Bruce as Perkins. The play was adapted by W.S. Gilbert from the French play Le Reveillon by Meilhac and Halevy, previously produced at the Globe Theatre in 1874 in another version as Committed For Trial.