H. G. BALCOM

CONSULTING ENGINEER

10 EAST 47TH STREET
TEL. 0305 MURRAY HILL
NEW YORK

ALFRED L. KEHOE

October 20, 1930

Mr. Lee Simonson, Director
Theater Guild
245 West 52nd Street
New York, N.Y.

Dear Sir:

Confirming my conversation with you on Saturday, in regard to the strength of the stage in the Martin Beck Theater, I wish to inform you that this stage was designed for 150 pounds per square foot.

As per your request, I also visited the theater
in company with your secretary and found the construction
satisfactory for the load which you proposed to put on
the stage. I understand that this will consist of about
nine inches of water in addition to the set depicting a
boat which has been built in place now. This stage will
safely sustain the load which your production will impose
on it.

LRH:E

ROAR CHINA

COPY OF ORIGINAL

37 WALL ST.,
New York

November 10, 1930

Theatre Guild,

Dear Sirs:-

So many criticisms of your play "Roar China" have come to my ears, that I feel moved to thank you for putting on this wonderful production. I entirely agree with Mr. John M. Brown "that this play is one of the most skillful and visually exciting productions our theater has seen."

"... as an adventure in theatre-going and as a first-hand picture of the Soviet mind, Roar China cannot but command attention."

It is produced "with such an eye to groupings, and with such evocative results that it places him overnight in the front row of our directors. It is acted by the many unprofessional Chinese players who surge through its large cast with a poise and depth that are above the acting average of our playhouses."

Particularly worthy of acclaim seems to me the acting of the Communist sympathizer in the blue blouse, whose performance triumphs in its beauty and sincerity over many professional dancers having similar aims in mind.

I remain

Very truly yours,

L.H. Grunebaum.

Nov. 18

10:15

Miss Helburn -

Lily Felig (Mrs.Adler)
of the Drama Study Club
wants to know if she can
have a ticket to ROAR CHINA
for tonight.

Phyllis

Plaza 9684

ROAR CHINA

COPY OF ORIGINAL

55 BROAD ST.,
NEW YORK

Nov. 25, 1930

The Theatre Guild, Inc.

Gentlemen:-

I have been a subscriber to the Theatre Guild for some
years and have always enjoyed the Guild plays until you
put on "Roar China". Why you should elect in these days
to waste your talents and the subscribers' money on a
play that was written for the purpose of injuring the
business and amicable relations between Asia and the
English, including the U.S.A., is hard to understand.
The Russian author has had his Bolshevik propaganda against
America put before the people here at their expense. If
the Amtorg Company had put this play on in New York and
made no charge for admission it would have raised a
storm of protest and probably have been stopped by the
authorities. It has no foundation in truth, is highly
unpleasant to witness, and will not add favorably to the
reputation of the Theatre Guild.

The above is the emphatic opinion of six people who saw
the play, three of whom are subscribers to the Guild.