24 rue Hallé, Paris XIe

March 16, 1937

Dear Virgil:

I'm rather vague about what I am to write you - as are the people who asked me to write. THEY are a group of jeunes acteurs who hope to put on a translation of Macbeth and asked about your music for the negro production - if it would fit the classic play and if you would let it be played à l'opé etc. Cocteau is giving them a play in which he is playing himself so there should be some public. The latter information is a big secret - everyone knows it. All this depends on the state giving them the use of a theatre during the exposition and they expect the répétition générale to take place May 15. I asked Mme Langlois where I could find any piece of your music and she didn't know. You really ought to have something findable in Paris? If you see anything in this maze which I've presented so badly would you write to my friend who is the old man of the production (outside of Jean) He must be almost 24.

Franz Thomassin

2ter rue Herran, Paris XVI

Lady Macbeth is 18 at the most and the one who does the décors 17. I am amusing myself very much.

We are going with Dan Mahoney to play bridge with Mme. Langlois this evening. She dashes around at a great rate with every hour filled. And I find her looking quite frightening and being more and more difficult. I keep hoping she'll be going away to repose herself but find there are all sorts of anniversaries and seasons that I know nothing about which regulate her busy life.

I hear you are in your flat avec negress - sounds very grand. After ten days in New York I wonder how you do it. And when you write music.

Are you coming back this summer? Mme Langlois says no - but if you make a fortune?

My love to all the young men - Maurice, Philip Gene etc. and to you as ever

24 rue Hallé, Paris X1Y

March 16, 1937

Dear Virgil:

I'm rather vague about what I am to write you - as are the people who asked me to write. THEY are a group of jeunes acteurs who hope to put on a translation of Macbeth and asked about your music for the negro production - if it would fit the classic play and if you would let it be played à l'opéral etc. Cocteau is giving them a play in which he is playing himself so there should be some public. The latter information is a big secret - everyone knows it. All this depends on the state giving them the use of a theatre during the exposition and they expect the répétition générale to take place May 15. I asked Mme Langlois where I could find any piece of your music and she didn't know. You really ought to have something findable in Paris? If you see anything in this maze which I've presented so badly would you write to my friend who is the old man of the production (outside of Jean) He must be almost 24.

Franz Thomassin

2ter rue Herran, Paris XVI

We are going with Dan Mahoney to play bridge with Mme. Langlois this evening. She dashes around at a great rate with every hour filled. And I find her looking quite frightening and being more and more difficult. I keep hoping she'll be going away to repose her self but find there are all sorts of anniversaries and seasons that I know nothing about which regulate her busy life.

I hear you are in your flat avec negress - sounds very grand. After ten days in New York I wonder how you do it. And when you write music,