PLAYWRIGHT

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'.

ONE: Typescript of '"Small Hotel" | A Comedy in Three Acts |by | James Gardiner'. 144pp., 4to. Bound with ribbon in blue card wraps with typed label. Text on rectos only. In pencil on title-page: '56 Welbeck Street'. In fair condition, on aged paper, in heavily worn wraps. 'The action takes place in the Lounge of the Bay View Hotel, near Dormouth, a South Coast Naval port.' No record of the play has been found, either on OCLC WorldCat or on COPAC, or on the ITDb. TWO: Typed Letter Signed to Commander Vivian Ellis from Olive Harding of Myron Selznick (London) Ltd.

96pp., 8vo. In exercise book, in blue ink with red underlining. With two additional passages on slips of paper pinned onto leaves. Aged and worn, in red card wraps with repaired spine. Nicoll notes an earlier title 'All for Him'. Set in the house of London stockbroker David Carne. Considering the play's popularity in the provinces, its fall into oblivion is surprising. Productions are noted at Southampton (1918-1919, 1930-1931), Oxford (1919), Swansea (1920), Sunderland (1924, the poster announcing: 'J. R. C.

'The Bird of Paradise', Tully's best-known play, is set in Hawaii during the 'Revolutionary Days of the Early Nineties'. It was the subject of what the New York Times called 'one of the bitterest plagiarism suits on record'. A schoolteacher named Grace Fender was initially successful in her claim that it was based on her play 'In Hawaii', but the case was reversed on appeal. It was first produced in Rochester, USA, in December 1911, with productions at Daly's in New York in 1912, and the Lyric Theatre, London, in September 1915. A total of 158pp., 4to.

74pp., 8vo. Stapled duplicated typescript, with pages on rectos only. In fair condition, with moderate signs of age and wear. Light staining at head, and discoloured title-leaf detaching. A few minor manuscript emendations, and '-Debel' added in manuscript to the translator's name. 'La Princesse Americaine' was first performed in 1963, and like Aloni's other early work was influenced by the European Theatre of the Absurd. An English translation of the play appeared in 1980, but OCLC WorldCat has no record of the publication of a French translation.

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.

136pp., 4to. Duplicated typescript (by Catherine Billinghust, Westminster) with pages on rectos only. Bound in grey card wraps, with red and black cloth spine and title typed on front cover. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. '12' in manuscript at head of cover. 'Sleep My Pretty One' has been described as 'a study of a young girl driven to distraction by the death of her mother and the, to her, totally unacceptable remarriage of her father'.

137pp., 4to. Typed text on rectos only. Bound with red ribbon into red wraps, with typed label on front cover. In fair condition, aged and worn, in heavily-aged wraps. Pencil annotations to the list of characters. Bound in before the beginning of almost every scene is a manuscript leaf carrying a page giving the layout of the set. The label of Joan Ling Ltd, Gloucester House, 19 Charing Cross Road, WC2, is pasted over Knoblock's typed address 21 Ashley Place on the title page. Knoblock's papers are at his alma mater Harvard.

Typescript: 132pp., folio. Each page on a separate leaf, all of which are attached with metal clasps in a grey card folder, with the label of the International Copyright Bureau Ltd, London, on the front cover (as well as on the title page). In fair condition, lightly-aged and worn, with title leaf coming away. Text with a few minor manuscript emendations. Accompanying the typescript is Harbottle's letter, signed 'Laurence'. 1p., 8vo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper.

1p., 12mo. On aged and ruckled paper, with closed tear unobtrusively repaired. In the author's distinctive, heavily-inked hand. He writes to inform him that he has 'the MS of the piece I wrote about', and that if it meets with his approval 'it may fill up the gap till Black Mail is completed'. He continues: 'I repeat it is a most powerful drama as strong as the Dead Hearts | Will you and Churchill come and hear me read it? [last two words underlined three times] | If so - when? | Will you drive over tomorrow???? | If so - at what hour? - Telegram back and I will be in Price and condition.

105pp., 8vo. Duplicated typescript, in two parts, each with title-page, continuously paginated. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The piece, described as a 'musikdramatiskt' (music drama), was produced in 1976 by the Kungliga Teatern, Operan, and in 1977 on the Sveriges Radio. No other copy traced, either on COPAC or OCLC WorldCat.

In his obituary in the Independent, Lane was described as 'one of those writers whose published oeuvre is only matched by the supreme fiction of their own existence'. The present two pieces, both unpublished, date from his time studying theatre design at Wimbledon Art School, before 'launching himself across the globe, seemingly supported only by his verbal brilliance, good looks, perfect wardrobe and genius to amuse'. ONE: '"ANAGRAMS [no closing quotation mark] | A One Act Play - by Simon Lane'. [3] + 19pp., 8vo. Duplicated typescript on loose leaves held together by paper clip.

Piece of 3.5 x 7.5 white card, with attractive embossed floral border, enclosing the signature of 'Mr: Garrick.' In fair condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of glue from mount on reverse. Garrick's signature is uncommon. Image available, of course.

1p., 32mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The note reads: 'My dear Webster, | I have fasted all the week in joyful expectation of the 1st of December. | Every truly your's [sic] | Douglas Jerrold'.

1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. After exclaiming 'How kind of you!' Pinero explains that he has been 'inoculated regularly since the autumn, and it has done me no good'. He continues: 'No, I won't say that; I might have been worse but for the injections.' He concludes by stating that he will show Shore's letter to his doctor, 'to prick his conscience'.

Programme, [20]pp., 4to, illus. printed wraps (partly in red). Directed by David Thacker, including excerpts from "The Golden Years", "Focus", "Death of a Salesman", Miller's adaptation of "An Enemy of the People", etc., etc. Programme signed by Arthur Miller himself ("For Esther | Arthur MIller). Enclosed Menu for dinner on 14 May 1989 at the Arthur Miller Centre for American Studies, signed "Warren Mitchell". This item derives from the Papers of Sally Worboyes who organised writing courses involving well-know TV personnel, actors, singers and writers as tutors at Fen Farm nr.

Programme, [20]pp., 4to, illus. printed wraps. Directed by David Thacker, including excerpts from "The Golden Years", "Focus", "Death of a Salesman", Miller's adaptation of "An Enemy of the People", etc., etc. Programme signed by Arthur Miller himself ("For Sally [Worboyesof Fen Farm Arts] | Arthur MIller) and several of the Cast inc. Susannah York, Timothy West, Connie Booth, John Shrapnel prob.others unreadable (but inc. playwright Brian Clark). Enclosed Menu for dinner on 14 May 1989 at the Arthur Miller Centre for American Studies, signed "Warren Mitchell".

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.

Substantial TLS from Zeke Berlin to Marsh, 29 Jan. 1963, 2pp., sm. folio, giving information about rehearsals, the Theatre, the actors, commenting on the "idiom" in the play, music, characters. Play not mentioned but characters named reveal Anouilh's "Dinner with the Family".

Total: 6 items, 1957-1961.One substantial ALS from Marc Camoletti to Edward Marsh, translator, 2pp. 4to, 25 Jan.

Total: 18 items, 1957-1961, including:One ALS, one TLS, one telegram from Marcel Achard to Edward Marsh, translator, only the TLS in French, others in English.Subjects: rights to translation of "Voulez-vous jouer avec moa" (gentleman's agreement for six months); this play "on appelle communément un 'théatre d'avant-garde'", requiring "excellent" actors like Peter Sellers; other information, including his agent's name; [telegram] "Waiting for you Stop Love".Memorandum of Agreement between Achard and Dr Van Loewen, agent, with Donmar Productions Ltd (New Theatre, London), not signed, 4pp., fol.T

One page, 12mo, 9 lines, In Roy's small hand, 3 Nov. 1950, in French. He is awaiting Marsh's sign, depending on him for how England will receive his work.

Circa 20 items, two printed, others typescript and manuscript, various formats including: a. Autograph Letter en francais Signed "Jean Cocteau", 19 Dec. 1952, one page, c.20 x 30cm, to [Edward O. Marsh, translator and adapter], presumably a response to e. below, partly about translation and translators; b.

Total: c.38 items, some more than one page, 1953-1968, 1984-1991, including:8 ALsS, Neveux to "Edward" [Marsh, translator], total 13pp., various formats, 1953-1961.

Total: c.21 items, 1977-1983.Four TLsS from Félicien Marceau to Edward Marsh, in French, (1978) saying that he'll go along with Marsh's proposals [about "L'Ami du Président"], reiterating two thirds for him; (1979) declining an adaptation for British television, anxious about the effect on "sa carrière théatrale"; (March 1983) having agreed film rights he is not free to authorise TV production; (May 1983) repeating what he understands about the cinema deal, and saying he'll be in touch on expiration.Eight copy TLs, some very substantial (one heavily worked), from Marsh to Félicien Marceau, 1

Total: c.43 items, some more than one page, 1953-1961, including:18 ALsS, TLsS and APCsS, to Edward Marsh, translator, total 26 pages/sides, various formats, with a telegram to him with note from him, and telegram from him to Edward Marsh.

TLS, 27 July 1971, one page, 4to, saying that the Camus Estate only want Robert Baldick to translate, giving background, so he's returning a script..

A very substantial TLS from Hauptmann to Marsh, 14 Dec. 1951, 2pp., 4to, in English, recalling their first meeting, commenting on Marsh's autograph collection from that time (1921), and responding to finding Marsh had adapted his "The Rats". He gives detailed response, complimentary but constructive.

Total: 5 items, all 1979.Postcard and TLS from Armand Lanoux to Edward Marsh, in French, (13 June and 27 July 1979) about the production in England of "notre fresque télévisuelle" "Zola ou la Conscience Humaine". He has asked his wife, Cathérine Tolstoi-Lanoux, to send Marsh "les deux pieces radiophoniques".WITH:Manuscript Draft, heavily worked over, letter from Marsh to Lanoux, 3pp., 4to, in French, 5 June 1979, broaching the question of an English production of the "Zola" programme (BBC etc).AND: ALS from Renée [de Conquele?

1p., landscape 12mo. Good, on aged paper, laid down on fly-leaf of book. Bold signature, written in response to a request for an autograph: 'To/ | Miss Micheline Keating | With affectionate good wishes. | David Belasco. | 1924.'