From Bernard Shaw.

4, WHITEHALL COURT (330) LONDON, S.W.1.

PHONE: VICTORIA 9160.

TELEGRAMS: SOCIALIST, PARL-LONDON.

31st June 1931.

Dear - whoever it is

I have had misgivings occasionally about Captain Brassbound's Conversion ever since you compelled me to turn down Mrs Fiske's offer. The play requires special treatment, as it has only one woman in it, and is quite useless unless that one woman **she** is a big gun, very English, very attractive, and *not* young. I dread your shoving it on with one of your pretty young American ladies in it.

Now it happens that Mr James Fagan is going to New York at the end of August to produce his play The Improper Duchess, which has been successful here. His wife Mary Grey, though she is not in the cast, will cross with him. Why not engage her to play Lady Cicely and get Fagan to produce it? She has played the part, and has all the qualifications, including that of being no use for small parts: she is a big gun or nothing. Man-agers are afraid of her because she is not like everyone else, which is exactly what is wanted for Brassbound. The New York press was, I understand, very polite to her when she played in Fagan's "And So To Bed".

My new play will not, I am afraid, please everybody. It is not meant to. So do not expect another Apple Cart or St Joan.

The Secretary
The Theatre Guild
245 West 52nd Street
New York City
U.S.America.

From Bernard Shaw.

4, WHITEHALL COURT (130) LONDON, S.W.1.

PHONE: WHITEHALL 3160.

21st June 1935

Dear Mr Munsell

Guilds that deal with me must look for surprises. You have had your fling with Joan and now it is K.C's turn. But you have nothing to regret, as I have made a scenario of the play for Elizabeth Bergner; and when this is released there will be an end of the stage version as far as big business is concerned. There is just barely time for a last revival of it next fall.

I cannot reasonably object to a revival of Brassbound if Mr and Mrs Lunt can be induced to take any real interest in it. But when it was mooted before Mrs Lunt's feet were cold; and I see no reason for believing that they are any warmer now. However, you can try.

As to any other cast, I reserve judgement. But if you cared to try with Sybil Thorndike and Merivale, that would be all right.

I have just had flashlights of a very beautiful production of The Simpleton from Leipzig, where it has had a success. You threw that play away wickedly in spite of all the pains you took with it. The returns shewed the astonishing fact that not a single person outside your subscription list went to see it. That is a record, isn't it?

Warren Munsell Esq.
The Theatre Guild, Inc.
245 West 52nd Street
New York City
U.S.America.

C O P Y

From: Bernard Shaw

21st June 1935

Dear Mr. Munsell:

Guilds that deal with me must look for sur-
prises. You have had your fling with Joan and now it is
K.C's turn. But you have nothing to regret, as I have made
a scenario of the play for Elizabeth Bergner; and when this
is released there will be an end of the stage version as
far as big business is concerned. There is just barely time
for a last revival of it next fall.

I cannot reasonably object to a revival of
Brassbound if Mr. and Mrs. Lunt can be induced to take any
real interest in it. But when it was mooted before Mrs.
Lunt's feet were cold; and I see no reason for believing
that they are any warmer now. However, you can try.

Faithfully,

Warren Munsell, Esq.
The Theatre Guild, Inc.
245 West 52nd Street
New York City
U.S. America.