animal tendencies. Zola would take up this idea again in his La Bête humaine (1890). Literary significance and reception Thérèse Raquin is generally considered to be Zola's first major work. Upon its release in 1867, Thérèse Raquin was a commercial and artistic success for Zola; this led to a reprint in book form in 1868. It gained additional publicity when critic Louis Ulbach (pen name: Ferragus) called Thérèse Raquin "putrid" in a long diatribe for Le Figaro; Zola capitalized on this for publicity and referred to it in his preface to the second edition. Zola's book provided the clear inspiration for James M. Cain's 1934 novel The Postman Always Rings Twice, which has a similar plot. Adaptations Theatrical Zola adapted the novel into a play, Thérèse Raquin, first staged in 1873. It was not performed in London until 1891, under the auspices of the Independent Theatre Society, since the Lord Chamberlain's Office refused to license it. Stage productions of Zola's play include: 2006 for the Royal National Theatre, London, adaptation written by Nicholas Wright 2007 production of the Nicholas Wright adaptation by Quantum Theatre in Pittsburgh; staged in the empty swimming pool of the Carnegie Free Library of Braddock 2008 production at Riverside Studios, London, adaptation by Pauline McLynn 2009 production at Edinburgh Fringe Festival performed by pupils of the Cheltenham Ladies' College (adapted by Fiona Ross) 2014 production touring from Bath, adapted by Helen Edmundson 2014 production at Theatre Works, Melbourne, Australia; adapted and directed by Gary Abrahams 2015 Edmundson adaptation at the Roundabout Theater at Studio 54 (New York City) 2017 revival of the 2014 Gary Abrahams adaption touring Australia nationally An opera based on the novel was written by the composer Michael Finnissy. Another opera, Thérèse Raquin, by Tobias Picker, opened in 2000. The novel was made into the Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not, with music by Harry Connick Jr. The play The Artificial Jungle by Charles Ludlam was an adaption of the novel, written in the hard-boiled crime style of James M. Cain. Neal Bell adapted the novel into a play under the same title. It was first produced at New York University by Playwrights Horizons Theatre School on December 3, 1991, directed by Edward Elefterion, with Katie Bainbridge as the title role. Its first professional production was at the Williamstown Theatre Festival on June 30, 1993, directed by Michael Greif, with Lynn Hawley as Thérèse.