FORTY - EIGHT THEATRE

(In Association with the Anglo French Art Centre)

Directors

VELONA PILCHER
ELIZABETH SPRIGGE
DAVID TUTAEV (Production)

Organising Secretary

Joanne Symons

STUDIO,
30, ABBEY GARDENS,
N.W.8

May 1st, 1948

Carl van Vechten,
101 Central Park West,
New York 25, N.Y.S.A.

Dear Mr. Van Vechten,

Sir Francis Rose has just brought us your two very beautiful photographs of Gertrude Stein -- and I want to thank you for lending them to us. They are on the walls of our Studio at the moment, and all the actors are enjoying them -- and they shall be displayed, with other Stein pictures, at the show itself.

I understand that, between Sir Francis and Miss Toklas, you are being kept informed about our efforts to honour Miss Stein. We love the play the more we work on it and are finding endless treasures in it. Please wish us luck ! And thank you for your help.

Perhaps you would like one of the Peters?

48

THEATRE

Directors: Velona Pilcher, Elizabeth Sprigge, David Tutaev.

In association with the ANGLO-FRENCH ART CENTRE

In the first English production of

Armand Salacrou's

“THE
UNKNOWN
WOMAN OF
ARRAS”

Translated by Emmanuel Wax and Elizabeth Sprigge

Produced by David Tutaev

Cast includes: Agnes Bernelle, Dera Cooper, Renee Goddard, Allan Gabriel, Leslie Heritage, Michael Seavers. John Sharp, James Thomason, Michael Yannis.

at

THE ANGLO-FRENCH ART CENTRE
29, ELM TREE ROAD, N.W.8.

On Sundays, July, 4th and 11th at 8 p.m.

Prior to a 2-week season at the Players' Theatre, Villiers Street, Strand, opening Monday August 2nd, nightly, including Sundays at 8 p.m.

Admission:

Members 5/0
Guests 7/6

Bookings: Temple Bar 1149
Maida Vale 4218 (11a.m.-6p.m.)

For announcements see 'The New Statesman & Nation'

[P.T.O.]

THIS is the first time a play by the well-known French dramatist, ARMAND SALACROU, has been produced in an English Theatre.

Salacrou began "L'INCONNUE D'ARRAS" in 1930. The theme haunted him for years, and one title he considered for the play was "LA MORT EST LE RENDEZ-VOUS DES VIVANTS." He finished the work in 1935, and in the same year it was produced at La Comédie des Champs-Elysées by Lugné Poë. This autumn it will be seen again in Paris, at La Comédie Française, produced by Gaston Baty.

48
THEATRE

48 Theatre was founded early this year by a group of writers and artists who felt the time had come again for an avant-garde theatre on the lines of the old 'Gate.' Its directors are Velona Pilcher, one of the founders of the Gate Theatre in Villiers Street, Elizabeth Sprigge, writer and translator, and David Tutaev, the producer. Through the hospitality of the Anglo-French Art Centre, this theatre group was able to open in May with Sunday performances in the Art Centre's big studio. The first production, which ran five Sundays, was Gertrude Stein's "YES IS FOR A VERY YOUNG MAN" of which 'THE STAGE' said 'this is a striking production by one of the most progressive theatre groups in London.' The second is "THE UNKNOWN WOMAN OF ARRAS," which, after two Sunday performances at the Anglo-French Art Centre transfers to the Players Theatre.

THE AIM of 48 Theatre, a non-profit making company, is to develop a continuity of policy and to establish a studio libre of the Theatre. For all information please apply to the Secretary, 48 THEATRE Studio, 30, Abbey Gardens, N.W.8. Telephone: MAIda Vale 4218.

VELONA PILCHER

37 GORDON SQUARE

LONDON, W.C.1.

June 28th, 1948

Dear Mr. Van Vechten,

Thank you for your letter of June 13th.

Yes, I know of course "The Four Saints" in
your edition -- but Francis Rose seemed to think there
was a producing version which I ought to see. I expect
he was wrong. I shall try to get "The Mother of Us All"
when it appears,-- and the Music Press version when
possible -- but it may be difficult, as you know we are
not allowed to send over any money to do these things
with !

Your letter arrived just after I had returned
your photographs to Sir Francis. He will therefore
forward them to you himself.

I have now obtained a copy of the notice that
"The Stage" gave us -- and enclose a copy for you.
Now that the play is over the publicity begins to
come. . . In an interview with one paper this week
Tennessee Williams, who came to see us, is quoted as
saying that our production of "Yes" was "beautifully
produced and altogether arresting". So we are feeling
better -- and praying we can do the play again.

Coe Van Vechter
101, Central Park West
New York City, 23
N.Y./ N. Y.

37 GORDON SQUARE, LONDON, W.C.1

EUSTON 4552

March 29th, 1949

Dear Mr. Carl Van Vechten,

Indeed -- you have a most wonderful bow. And I
am very proud and happy to have received such a handsome
salute. And so beautifully timed -- for the Book came
just after I returned from Paris, still savouring the
conversation and cooking of 5 rue Christine. Miss Toklas
on one side of the crossing, you on the other . . . truly,
this is a rich reward.

I am enjoying the book enormously. It was splendid
to be reading "The Mother of Us All" at last -- and
really, I don't see why we shouldn't try to do it here
one day. I am now studying "The Saints" . . . but that
is more difficult for us. It was delightful, and
surprising, to find a footnote about Fortyeight.

And now Fortyeight Theatre is being reborn, in
May, in a small home of its own, and with a new name --
The Watergate Theatre. Our announcing leaflets are going
to press any day, and I will send you one of course. You
will find that, among the plays planned, is a revival
of "Yes". But now that I have read your book, I see the
revival must of course take into account the later
version -- all of which is most interesting.

So thank you, very very much, both for the
gift, and the inscription. I do hope I shall have
the pleasure of meeting you -- and returning the bow
(I have an awkward curtsy) -one day.