on 29 november 1820, kean appeared for the first time in new york city as richard iii. the success of his visit to america was unmistakable, although he fell into a annoying dispute with the news media. in 1821, kean appeared in boston with mary ann duff in "the distrest mother", by ambrose philips, an adaptation of racine's andromaque. on 4 june 1821, he returned to england.