PLAYS

warning: Creating default object from empty value in /home/richardf/public_html/dev/modules/taxonomy/taxonomy.pages.inc on line 33.

[ Sir Gerald Du Maurier, actor and theatre manager. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Gerald du Maurier') to F. A. H. Eyles, asking him not to send him the manuscript of a play.

Author: 
Sir Gerald Du Maurier [ Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson Du Maurier ] (1873-1934), actor and theatre manager
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Wyndham's Theatre, London. 1 January 1912.
£35.00

1p., landscape 8vo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. He thanks him for his letter, but as he is 'not doing anything with one act plays' at present, he states: 'I won't trouble you to send me the manuscript'. The Oxford DNB gives the name as 'Gerald Du Maurier', but the signature clearly reads 'Gerald du Maurier'.

[ Richard Brinsley Peake, English dramatist. ] Autograph Signature ('R B Peake') and additions relating to 'Mr Mathew's entertainments', made out to 'Mr Gardner', added to a lithographed facsimile letter in his handwriting.

Author: 
Richard Brinsley Peake (1792-1847), dramatist, author of the 1823 play 'Presumption; or, the Fate of Frankenstein', based on Mary Shelley's novel [ Theatre Royal, English Opera House, Strand, London ]
Publication details: 
Theatre Royal, English Opera House, Strand. 2 March 1824.
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Bifolium, addressed by Peake, with broken seal in black wax, to 'Mr Gardner | Globe & Traveller Office | Strand'.

[ Alfred Bunn, lessee of the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('A Bunn') to '- Perkins Esq', apologising for 'The dreadful bustle attendant on producing "Waterloo"'.

Author: 
Alfred Bunn (1796-1860), theatre manager and librettist [ the Theatre Royal, Birmingham ]
Publication details: 
'Birmm: [i.e. the Theatre Royal, Birmingham ] | Oct. 13: 1824'.
£56.00

The Oxford DNB's entry on Bunn states that from 1819 to 1824 he held the lease of the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. 1p., 8vo. Bifolium. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to '- Perkins Esq'. In fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. Bunn begins his letter: 'My dear Sir, | The dreadful bustle attendant on producing "Waterloo" must be my apology. The Music & Manuscript are herewith sent - & not a note or a syllable of either has been copied.' He thanks 'Mr Howes for his kindness', which he offers to reciprocate, 'whenever in my power'.

[ Joseph Knight, theatre historian. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Mr Munday'

Author: 
Joseph Knight [ John Joseph Knight ] (1829-1907), English drama critic and theatre historian
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 27 Camden Square, N.W. [ London ] 2 February 1895.
£35.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with staining from glue used in previous mounting. He apologises for not being able to 'do what you asked', as he 'did not go to the Garrick until to day when I found your letter with others waiting me'.

[ Watkins Burroughs, actor/ theatre manager; List of Manuscripts ] Three Autograph Letters Signed to unnamed correspondent. WITH [MS.] "List of his Manuscripts" and "[ List of ] Musical Plays Farces & Dramas without Books of the Pieces".

Author: 
F. Watkins Burroughs, actor and theatre manager, inc. the Surrey Theatre.
Publication details: 
All from Gradwell St, Liverpool, 25 July and 8 August 1858 and 16 June 1865.
£950.00

Letters, total 5pp., 12mo; Lists, total 6pp., 12mo (List of Musical PLays concluded by Autograph Note Signed by Burroughs (dated 29 July 1858). One has spike-hole with loss of , one sl. grubby, all legible, closely-written in a small neat hand. LETTER ONE (25 July 1858): "I have a great number of M.S.S. of the Surrey & late Coburg, as well as of other original Dramas & Farces never acted which I have purchased from time to time but have never produced.

[ Olga Brandon, Australian actress. ] Corrected Typed prompt copy of first act of unpublished translation of 'La Tosca. A Drama in Four Acts by Victorien Sardou.'

Author: 
Olga Brandon (1863-1906), Australian actress; Victorien Sardou (1831-1908), French dramatist
Publication details: 
'Miss Olga Brandon, 4 Seaton Mansions, 213 Shaftesbury Avenue | W.C. [ London ]' [ Circa 1895. ]
£550.00

[1] + 32pp., 4to. Bound with brass clasps in grey paper wraps. On aged paper, in worn binding. A 'Duplicate Carbon Copy', with the stamp of Miss Dickens's Type Writing Office, 3, Tavistock Street, Strand. The first of the play's four acts. Text typed on rectos only, with stage directions in pencil on facing versos, and with numerous emendations (presumably by Brandon) in pencil throughout, including the deleting of a number of passages. Facing the first page is a pencil diagram of the stage setting.

[ Max Halbe, German 'Naturalist' dramatist. ] Typescript of an unpublished English translation of 'Youth. A Love Drama in Three Acts. By Max Halbe'.

Author: 
Max Halbe (1865-1944), German dramatist, a main exponent of Naturalism
Publication details: 
Mrs. Marshall's Type Writing Office, 126, Strand. [ London. ] 8 May 1900. Translated from the '(6th Edition) | Berlin, 1898.'
£350.00

86pp., 4to. With each of the three acts bound into separate grey wraps, with typed labels on covers. Internally in good condition, on aged paper, in worn and aged wraps. This unpublished anonymous translation predates the one by Sara Tracy Barrows, with an introduction by Ludwig Lewisohn, published in New York by Doubleday in 1916. There is no record of an English production.

[ Robins Millar, Scottish author. ] Duplicated typescript of unpublished play titled 'Lord Perricklees. Comedy in Three Acts.'

Author: 
Robins Millar (1889-1968), Canadian-born Scottish journalist, playwright, poet and writer, based in Glasgow
Publication details: 
Robins Millar, 9 Park Quadrant, Glasgow C3 [ Scotland ]. Undated [ 1920s? ].
£300.00

93pp., 4to. Bound with pink ribbon in buff card wraps. Creasing to front cover and first few leaves, otherwise in good condition, on aged paper, in aged and worn wraps. Ownership inscription on front cover and title-page: 'Robins MIllar | 9 Park Quadrant | Glasgow C3'. A high-society comedy, set in London. No record regarding this play has been discovered. Millar's papers are in the University of Glasgow.

[ Robins Millar. ] Typescript of unpublished play titled 'Bedside Manner. Comedy in 3 Acts'.

Author: 
Robins Millar (1889-1968), Canadian-born Scottish journalist, playwright, poet and writer, based in Glasgow
Publication details: 
Robins Millar, 9 Park Quadrant, Glasgow C3 [ Scotland ]. Undated [ 1930s? ].
£300.00

107pp., 4to. Stapled and attached with pink ribbon. Aged and worn, with last few leaves detached, with worn front cover only also detached. With a couple of manuscript emendations. Millar begins a full-page introduction: 'The mood of this play is gay comedy. | It arises from the threat of gossip in a small country town.' No record regarding this play has been discovered. Millar's papers are in the University of Glasgow.

[ Joe Corrie, Scottish miner and playwright. ] Corrected typescript of the 'English Version' of his play 'A Master of Men', with Typed Letter Signed to the theatre manager W. J. Macqueen-Pope.

Author: 
Joe Corrie [ Joseph Corrie ] (1894-1968), Scottish miner and playwright [ W. Macqueen-Pope [ Walter James Macqueen-Pope ] (1888-1960), theatre manager and theatre historian ]
Publication details: 
Hill's Hotel, 41 Princes Square, London W2. Undated. [ Performed at the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre, Scotland, circa 1944. ]
£600.00

For more about Corrie see his entry in the Oxford DNB, which states that 'His most effective mature work, A Master of Men, about the conflict between a mine manager, the mine owners, and the miners, was performed by the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre in 1944.' 111pp., 4to. On paper of various colours. Autograph title-page: 'English Version | A Master of Men | A Play | Joe Corrie | Hill's Hotel | 41 Princes Sq. | London W2 | Tel. Bay. 0118'. (Many of Corrie's plays were written in Lowland Scots.) In good condition, lightly-aged, in worn buff card wraps. With a few autograph emendations.

[ Lajos Bíró, Alexander Korda's scenario chief at London Film Productions. ] Unpublished typescript of '"Hollywood of Course" A Play In Three Acts By LAJOS BIRO'.

Author: 
Lajos Bíró [ Lajos Biro ] [ born Lajos Blau ] (1880-1948), Austro-Hungarian novelist, playwright and screenwriter who worked for Alexander Korda at London Film Productions
Publication details: 
'Copyright 1942 by British and Continental Plays Ltd.'
£400.00

168pp., 4to. Pages typed in black and red (by Active Secretarial Bureau, Wardour Street) on versos only. Bound in grey card wraps, with red tape spine. Typed title on cover, with circular red label of 'British and Continental Plays Ltd'. The main characters include the unnamed members of a continental royal family, together with 'Baroness Sibyl Konigsmark' and 'Section-Leader Grumb', and the scene is set at an Old Castle and Summer Palace, and 'Late in June of the year 1941. Three o'clock p.m.' and periods shortly following.

[Henry Benjamin Wheatley.] Manuscript 'List of Plays seen by Pepys from 1660 to 1669' and other related material.

Author: 
[Henry Benjamin Wheatley (1838-1917), author and editor; Samuel Pepys]
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [London, 1880s?]
£480.00

Unattributed, but in Wheatley's hand. The 'List of Plays seen by Pepys from 1660 to 1669' is 5pp., foolscap 8vo, on loose leaves of unwatermarked ruled paper. In fair condition, aged and worn. It is neatly written out in ink, with occasional pencil emendations, giving dates, theatres and titles. A few comments on the theatres are included, for example on 'Davenant's New Theatre in Lincolns Inn Fields'.

[Sir Nigel Playfair, actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.] Autograph signature.

Author: 
Sir Nigel Playfair (1874-1934), British actor-manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£15.00

On one side of a piece of 2.5 x 8 cm thin card. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight creasing (not affecting text). Possibly in response to a request for an autograph. Reads: 'Nigel Playfair'.

[James Winder Good, Irish journalist.] Five Autograph Letters Sgned (four 'J. W. Good' and one 'J. W. G.') to Walter Riddall, mainly on Paul Henry and the offering of a play by Riddall to the Ulster Literary Theatre and Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

Author: 
James Winder Good (1877-1930), Irish journalist and author [Walter Riddall (1874-1914), Irish artist and writer; Robert Lynd (1879-1949), essayist; Paul Henry (1877-1958), artist; Ulster]
Publication details: 
One letter on cancelled letterhead of The Northern Whig Office, Belfast (replaced by 18 Wolseley Street); another from 108 Fitzroy Avenue; the others without place. One dated '9th June [1912]', the others undated (before Riddall's death in 1914).
£600.00

Good was educated at the Royal Academical Institution and Queen's College, Belfast. He was a reporter on the Northern Whig before moving to Dublin where he became leader-writer for the Freeman's Journal. He then became assistant editor of the Irish Statesman, and later joined the staff of the Irish Independent. Good and Riddall were part of a circle that included the essayist Robert Lynd and painter Paul Henry, and the present five items, written in an entertaining and friendly stye, cast light on the theatrical and cultural worlds shortly before the Easter Rising.

[Book; Association copy; G.B. Shaw] Too True To Be Good, Village Wooing & On the Rocks

Author: 
George Bernard Shaw, playwright
Publication details: 
Constable, 1934 (Standard Edition of the Works of Bernard Shaw)
£220.00

First edition, 8vo. Laurence A216a. Original red cloth, speckled, lettered in gilt on spine, hinges cracked, in damaged dustwrapper. below). Inscribed on the half-title: "to Yvette Pienne, player and writer, | G. Bernard Shaw | Malvern | 23/8/36." WITH: unpublished photograph, 19 x 14.5, of Bernard Shaw with a bevy of youngish ladies including Yvette Pienne according to a note (NOT in Shaw's hand, prob. Pienne's) on the reverse, "Malvern Festival 1938 || G. Bernard Shaw | [?] Lewis | Yvette Pienne|".

Typed Letter Signed from Arnold Wesker to Renee Hellman of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, regarding his 'favourite recipe'.

Author: 
Arnold Wesker (b.1932), English playwright of the 'kitchen sink' school [Renee Hellman; Imperial Cancer Research Fund; Alan Bates]
Publication details: 
27 Bishops Road, London N6. 11 October 1965.
£56.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased. He asks her whether she means by 'a favourite recipe' one 'which I know of that others are likely not to know of? Or just one that I like but might well be familiar?' He ends by suggesting that she try asking Alan Bates, 'who I think has a secret recipe'. He gives an address for the actor.

[Printed pamphlet of play.] The Pirate's Nurse. [With manuscript note: 'Performed at Literary Institute Wednesday June 8th 1898.'

Author: 
[Worthing Literary Institute, West Sussex; Kirshaw, printer]
Publication details: 
'KIRSHAW, PRINTER, WORTHING.' [1898.]
£75.00

12pp., 12mo. In original printed wraps bearing the title, dramatis personae, printer's slug, and contemporary pencil note: 'Performed at Literary Institute Wednesday June 8th 1898.' On aged and worn paper, with curling to fore-edge, and a cloth strip sewn on to strengthen spine. A comedy in heroic couplets. Excessively scarce: no copies on COPAC or WorldCat OCLC. Kirshaw was active between the 1870s and 1890s.

Typed Letter Signed "Cav" [Alberto Cavacanti, film director] to Edward Marsh, translator of Anouilh, Cocteau and others.

Author: 
Alberto de Almeida Cavalcanti (1897-198, Brazilian-born film director and producer.
Publication details: 
[Headed] A.de A. Cavalcanti 13 Shooters Hill Road Blackheath SE [London], 25 April 1949.
£120.00

One page, obl. 12mo, good condition. He appreicates being told about the Georges Neveux play on the radio [French playwright], but "unluckily" he missed it. "I had a very pleasant surprise in Italy. As I was entering my room at the hotel a door next door to it opened and Neveux was staying there. I had a long talk with him and he said that some french p[roducers (friends of his) who are interested in the story, might like to have a talk about the possibilities of an English collaboration and they might come to London with Georges. Of course I haven't heard from him since [...]".

Autograph Letter Signed "J.L. Etty", Shakespearean commentator, to "Stocks", about "the worst of [his] Shakespeare papers".

Author: 
J.L. Etty, author of works on Shakespeare.
Publication details: 
Holywell Cottage, 8 Oct. [no year].
£38.00

Two pages, 12mo, sunned and lightly foxed, but text clear and complete, as follows: He starts off calling his correspondent a "beast" on a personal matter, continuing, "This is the worst of my Shakespeare papers I think: when you bring it back (and possibly my companion to Eng History?) you might tell me whether you think the essays as a whole are worth republishing as a book". He suggests a meting (lunch dinner "or what"), concluding, "I believe this essay to be a practically no value." Etty's "Studies in Shakespeare's History" are listed by WorldCat, but not COPAC.

'Box Office Return' for a production of 'She Stoops to Conquer' at 'The Arts Theatre Club Festival of International Comedy and Drama', filled in by hand on printed form by Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper.

Author: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London [Mary Pupley, Box Office Keeper]
Publication details: 
The Arts Theatre Club, London. 1 May 1949.
£65.00

1p., 4to. On aged and lightly-creased paper. Giving breakdowns for different seats in matinee and evening productions, as well as for programmes, with the number of complimentary tickets. The Arts Theatre Club was founded in 1927, 'in an attractive building in Great Newport-street shaped somewhat like the House of Commons' (Times, 9 May 1927). On its relaunch in 1933, its stated aim was 'to select plays of theatrical merit [...] with an entire disregard for their commercial possibilities' (Times, 18 December 1933).

Autograph Letter Signed ('G. Colman') from the playwright George Colman the Younger, defending his imposition of a financial penalty on the recipient [apparently an actress] for non-attendance [at a performance at the Haymarket Theatre].

Author: 
George Colman the younger (1762-1836), playwright and manager of the Haymarket Theatre, London [James Winston (1773?-1843), acting manager at the Haymarket Theatre]
Publication details: 
Melina Place, London; 21 July 1814.
£80.00

1p., 4to. On aged and grubby paper. The letter provides an interesting insight into the niceties of Regency theatrical practice. Colman peremptorily addresses it to 'Madam', before expressing his displeasure and defending his imposition of a penalty, as a result of the non-attendance of the recipient (apparently an actress) at a performance at the Haymarket.

Autograph Letter Signed ('T: Cooke') from the Irish actor Thomas Simpson Cooke to the English actor Thomas Potter Cooke, complaining that 'Mr. Chilvers music copyist to the Coburg Theatre' has 'seriously injured' him professionally. With portrait.

Author: 
Thomas Simpson Cooke (1782–1848), Irish singer and composer [Thomas Potter Cooke (1786–1864), English actor]
Publication details: 
2 Leicester Place, Leicester Square; 17 November 1819.
£120.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on the reverse of the second leaf to 'T: P: Cooke Esqre | Royal Coburg Theatre', with two postmarks. The two men do not appear to have been related. TSC requests TPC's 'friendly interference to endeavour at getting from Mr.

Autograph Letter Signed ('Jn B Buckstone') from the actor John Baldwin Buckstone [to the playwright Thomas John Dibdin] regarding a meeting 'of all the dramatic authors' to make arrangements following 'the new act' [Bulwer Lytton's copyright reforms.

Author: 
John Baldwin Buckstone (1802-1879), actor, playwright, and manager of the Haymarket Theatre [Thomas John Dibdin (1771-1841), playwright and actor]
Publication details: 
29 Walcot Place, Kennington; 14 June 1833.
£320.00

1p., 4to. 15 lines. On aged and worn paper. The letter reads 'Dear Sir/ | A general meeting of all the Dramatic Authors will take place at the Garricks head in Bow Street on Monday nexxt at One o'Clock.

Autograph Letter Signed from the actor Charles Kean, informing an unnamed correspondent that it is not his intention 'to close the Princess's Theatre during any portion of Lent'.

Author: 
Charles Kean [Charles John Kean] (1811-1868), Irish-born actor-manager, best remembered for his Shakespeare revivals at the Princess's Theatre, Oxford Street, London, son of Edmund Kean (1789-1833)
Publication details: 
Place not stated; 1 February 1852.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with negligible glue from previous mounting to the corners of the blank reverse. The letter reads: 'Sir, In reply to your note, I write to say that as it is not my intention to close the Princess's Theatre during any portion of Lent, it will not be in my power to avail myself of your offer.'

[Printed pamphlet by 'The Directors of the well known Strand Electric and Engineering Company Limited'] A Completely New Glossary of Technical Theatrical Terms [...] With an Appendix of the Colours used for Lighting the Plays [...]

Author: 
[Theatrical Terms]
Publication details: 
'Commencing Novr. 1st. 1947, and thereafter so long as supplies shall last!'] 'Smudgeham & Fowlem, Steam Printers, The Cut, Waterloo.' [i.e. The Strand Electric & Engineering Co., Ltd., 24 Floral St, Covent Garden, London.]
£80.00
A Completely New Glossary of Technical Theatrical Terms

Irregular (12 x 23.5 cm), 32 pp. In fair condition, aged and lightly worn. In original wraps, with cover design, in a variety of types and point sizes, imitating an early nineteenth-century handbill, stating that 'all Profits for the Benefit of the Deserving Actors' Orphanage. | Free list entirely suspended | Fees payable in advance are 2s. per copy'.

Corrected autograph draft of poem by E. L. Blanchard, entitled 'Phantasmagoria', signed by him 'ELB'.

Author: 
E. L. Blanchard [Edward Litt Laman Blanchard] (1820-1889), playwright and theatre producer, writer of pantomimes for Drury Lane Theatre over 37 years
Publication details: 
Dated by Blanchard to November 1862.
£225.00
Corrected autograph draft of poem by E. L. Blanchard

12mo, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Docketed by Blanchard in top left-hand corner: 'Sent to Sat.

Autograph Letter Signed ('A H Calvert') from the actress Adelaide Helen Calvert to an unnamed theatre proprietor [E. D. Davies, Lessee, Theatre-Royal, Newcastle?], discussing a forthcoming bill.

Author: 
Adelaide Helen Calvert [nee Biddles] (1837-1921), English actress, wife of the actor-manager Charles Alexander Calvert (1828-1879) [Theatre-Royal, Newcastle]
Publication details: 
Undated [before 1879]; on part of playbill for 'Benefit of Mr. Chas. Calvert' at the Theatre-Royal, Newcastle. [M. Benson, Printer, Side, Newcastle.]
£75.00
Adelaide Helen Calvert to an unnamed theatre proprietor

12mo, 3 pp. On bifolium, with the printed playbill for the 'Benefit of Mr. Chas. Calvert' at the Theatre-Royal, Newcastle, on the recto of the first page (including a performance of Much Ado About Nothing, with Calvert as Benedick and Miss Fanny Alexander as Beatrice. The letter is 42 lines long. She feels that, 'with but one rehearsal', the 'Merchante's Storye will scarcely go', and suggests performing 'Nine Points, The Household Fairy, and Head of the Family' instead, considering it 'a good bill' and 'lighter works for all the company'.

Four Typed Letters Signed and two Autograph Letters Signed (all 'Rex Newman') from the screenwriter and author Greatrex Newman to Eva Lawrence ('Lawrie').

Author: 
Greatrex Newman (1892-1984), English author and screenwriter [The Fol-de-Rols; theatrical; the London stage]
Publication details: 
Two undated; the rest between 1951 and 1959. On various letterheads of 39 and 47 Whitehall Court, London.
£80.00
Greatrex Newman (1892-1984), English author and screenwriter, TLSs and ALSs

Five of the items are 8vo, with the other on a 12mo slip. All texts clear and complete. Fair, on slightly-aged and worn paper. A total of five typed 8vo pages, and two autograph 8vo and two autograph 12mo pages. Four of the lettters have 'The Fol-de-Rols' printed on the letterhead. Dealing with practical everyday theatre matters, with Newman writing, for example, on 19 November 1955: 'I have bought a few costume from the Punch Revue which died an early death at the Duke of York's theatre last Saturday.

[Pamphlet reproducing reviews of Gatty's performances in 'Winchester College Theatricals' between 1867 and 1882.]

Author: 
[Sir Stephen Herbert Gatty (1849-1922), Chief Justice of Gibraltar, 1895 to 1905; Winchester College]
Publication details: 
Circa 1882.
£75.00
Gatty's performances in 'Winchester College Theatricals'

12mo, 7 pp. Text clear and complete. On aged discoloured paper, with rusting staple having been removed. The last page carries a 'List of Characters' played by Gatty, from the 'First Gravedigger' in 'Hamlet' in 1866 to 'Tony Lumpkin' in 'She Stoops to Conquer' in 1882. The reviews, in small type over the previous six pages, are highly favourable, from a range of papers from the Guardian to the Sheffield Daily Telegraph. The last set of reviews relates to the 'Harmonomaniac Concerts, Oxford'. From the residue of Sir Stephen H. Gatty's papers.

Autograph Letter in the third person to Mrs Cowden Clarke.

Author: 
Elizabeth O'Neill (1791-1872) [married name Elizabeth Wrixon-Becher, Lady Wrixon-Becher; Lady Becher], Irish actress [Mary Victoria Cowden Clarke (1809-1898)]
Publication details: 
15 October 1845; BallyGiblin [Cork, Ireland].
£35.00

12mo, 2 pp. Thirteen lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on lightly-aged and creased paper, with small hole to one margin. The stub of the second leaf of the original bifolium attached to a leaf removed from an album, docketed in a contemporary hand 'Autograph of Lady Becher - formerly Miss O'Neill'. Suggesting that she direct her 'Concordance to Shakespeare' to 'Messrs. Dowbiggin & Co. Upholsterers, Mount St. Grosvenor Sqre., to be sent over with the Furniture for Sir Wm. Becher', in which case it will be examined 'in due time'.

Syndicate content