| Description | The main file contains letters to Beckett from The English Stage Company, mainly signed George Devine, 1956-1965, in regard to: rights purchases; changes to scripts in order to obtain a Lord Chamberlain's license to perform for example, for 'Endgame', 1958; and on possible casting decisions. There are also some responses from Beckett in relation to this; reactions to scripts for example, 'Endgame' 27 Aug 1957; possible performances at the National Theatre for example, 'Play' 10 Jul 1963; and the rendering of 'Fin de Parti' into English, 1957. Some of the letters are written under the guise of The Royal Shakespeare Company. Many of the letters have handwritten responses from Beckett on the verso.
There are references to Herbert's work for Beckett for example, Beckett to Devine, 4 Sep 1962 mentions her 'excellent sketches'. The letters contain references to: Joan Plowright [actress, married to Laurence Olivier 1961-1989] for example, 3 Aug 1962: John Calder and the possibility of a performance at Edinburgh Festival, 12 Feb 1963 Anthony Page in relation to 'Waiting for Godot', 13 Nov 1964; Pat Magee [actor], 2 Mar 1965.
Also in the file are items related to Herbert's work on Beckett plays such as: a rehearsal schedule, set plans and related letters [not from Beckett] for a joint production of 'Krapp's Last Tape' and 'Catastrophe', Riverside Studios 1989; agreement for Herbert letters to appear in a volume of Beckett correspondence, 24 Apr 1990. Included is a schedule for a celebration for the life and work of Beckett, 1 Apr 1990, The Royal National Theatre with photographs of displays of Herbert's designs for Beckett.
Beckett was a playwright, Beckett and Herbert collaborated a number of times: at The Royal Court Theatre on 'Endgame' 1958 [referred to in the letters]; at The Royal Court Theatre on 'Happy Days' 1962 and 1979; at The Royal Court Theatre on 'Come and Go' 1970; at The Royal Court Theatre on 'Not I' 1973; at The Royal Court Theatre on 'Footfalls' 1976; and at the National Theatre [Old Vic] on 'Play' 1964. |