BIB_ID
430748
Accession number
MA 1617.120
Creator
Crichton, Haldane, 1852-1938.
Display Date
Crewe, England, 1882 November 26.
Credit line
Purchased as the gift of Edwin J. Beinecke, 1955.
Description
1 item (4 pages) ; 25.9 x 20.4 cm
Notes
Henley granted Crichton the provincial rights for one year to produce "Deacon Brodie', a play Henley co-authored with Robert Louis Stevenson.
Written from the "Lyceum Theatre, Crewe" on the letterhead of "Haldane Crichton's Company."
Housed with a letter from Mitchell & Baxter, W.S. to W. E. Henley dated 7 December 1882 and with a copy of a letter from Baxter to Crichton of the same date confirming the terms of the agreement of Henley and Stevenson with Haldane Crichton (MA 1617.131).
This letter is one of fourteen letters written by Haldane Crichton to W.E. Henley and/or R. L. Stevenson included in the Henley collection (MA 1617.117-131).
E.W. Bretton was the stage name of Edwin Whitaker.
Written from the "Lyceum Theatre, Crewe" on the letterhead of "Haldane Crichton's Company."
Housed with a letter from Mitchell & Baxter, W.S. to W. E. Henley dated 7 December 1882 and with a copy of a letter from Baxter to Crichton of the same date confirming the terms of the agreement of Henley and Stevenson with Haldane Crichton (MA 1617.131).
This letter is one of fourteen letters written by Haldane Crichton to W.E. Henley and/or R. L. Stevenson included in the Henley collection (MA 1617.117-131).
E.W. Bretton was the stage name of Edwin Whitaker.
Provenance
Purchased as the gift of Edwin J. Beinecke, 1955.
Summary
Saying "My desire to produce the "Deacon" is simply from my admiration of its intrinsic merits, as it contains no parts to display either my wife or myself. It was brought to my notice by my leading man E.M. Bretton, who I understand you approve of for the "Deacon" (and out of London I think he is one of the best men for it). And to whom (thro' another) it was offered on condition it was well cast and if the play was a success, you were to have a percentage of receipts. These are fair terms for manager & author and I should be happy to accept them, if you are of same mind. A new play is so great a risk & requires such an outlay to make it a success, that I should like to know (before naming percentage) whether you wish simply to hand it over as it is, licensed for production, or whether you care to do more for it, such as having picture posters & lithos cut and original music composed. Good pictures are half the battle. As to the cast, Mr. Bretton then for the Deacon. The next important part is the Uncle & for this I purpose engaging a Scotch actor (who is just a double of A. T. Hilton). The rest of the parts offer no great difficulty, but I shall make one or two special engagements besides my own Company. The mistress of the Deacon, is a most difficult part to cast (and I fear it is rather a drawback to the play in England). I can't understand the Deacon taking to a broad Scotch - what shall I say - demimonde and thinking of marrying her, so my idea is to give it to a fine women, tall splendid figure & just a touch of the brogue. I am anxious to try it in Bradford as Bretton is a great favourite there, his native town, a friend of all the press men & make it his benefit night. Should it be a success, I should take off the rough edges during the winter in small towns and take it to Scotland in Spring. If you care to superintend rehearsals, I am in Derby week before Bradford. If you decide on letting me have it (I should want of course sole right for say 3 years renewable), I should be glad if you would kindly send me a wire, as the time is every short & Bretton could commence to study and I to make my arrangements."
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