[ Oscar Wilde; Typescript ] "The Stringed Lute." A Play Based on the life of OSCAR WILDE [Playwright's own copy]. WITH Typed Letter Signed "P. Macqueen" discussing play with W. MacQueen-Pope, theatre historian, revealing pseudonym

John Furnell [pseud. Phyllis Macqueen], playwright [Oscar Wilde]

Published by n.d. before published version ; Typed Letter Signed dated 23 Jan. 1956, 1955

About this Item

[170]pp., 4to, title label, brown wraps, "stabbed", sl. wrinkled edges, sl. aged, typed ownership sticker back cover, "John Furnell, 'Woodend', 24 Chessel Avenue, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hants." Final page (additional , p.[170]) includes a list of "Author's suggestions" for settings. With a sprinkling of corrections and additions.Opposite p.38 (beginning of Act II set in the Foyer of the St James's Theatre, an illustration from a Max Beerbohm book ("Some Persons of the Nineties"), with names from Wilde to Mallarme, 10 names presumably in Furnell's hand. Enclosed: a typed information slip prepared by the Collector, Barry Duncan, presumably before the book was published in 1955, because it doesn't mention it. He also says "Not in BDL. Not performed?" The book (and this text presumably) formed the basis for "The Trials of Oscar Wilde" with Peter Finch, 1960. WITH: Typed Letter Signed "P. Macqueen" after typing "Phyllis Macqueen. | "Jouhn Furnell", two pages, 12mo, foxed, closed tears and chipped but text complete and clear as follows: She asks to call him "Popey" because that's how she thinks of him after his TV appearances. She has put aside the published version for him but understands that the published "Rider", has already sent one to him. She has derived great pleasure from his talks. "What wonderful memories you must have, and jow dull and commonplace the present generation must seem to you." She then discusses her play about Oscar Wilde as follows: "'THE STRINGED LUTE' was originally written as a Play, then re-written as a play-novel. Now it has beed re-arranged as a Play in four Acts, & we hope to see it produced as a play or a film. I was wondering if you'd be so very kind as to advise me where to send it? You have such wide experience in these matters, about which I know absolutely nothing. But of course its always been my dream to see THE STRINGED LUTE as a full length production at Drury Lane with an all star cast, and someone of Ustinoff's [sic] calibre as Oscar! Not that I think for a moment that this will materialise into fact - but one never knows! " If he's interested she'll send a copy "at once". She continues "I know I've ansolutely no right to trespass on your time and your kindness like this, but hope taht you will forgive my doing so. | I think the book is doing quite well. Hesketh Pearson liked it - and the Psychic Press has awarded it a 'Psychic Oscar'! Or so I believe. Also Rider's [publishers] tell me that America is interested. [.]".

Seller Inventory # 23085

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [ Oscar Wilde; Typescript ] "The Stringed Lute." A Play Based on the life of OSCAR WILDE [Playwright's own copy]. WITH Typed Letter Signed "P. Macqueen" discussing play with W. MacQueen-Pope, theatre historian, revealing pseudonym
• Publisher: n.d. before published version ; Typed Letter Signed dated 23 Jan. 1956
• Publication Date: 1955
• Binding: Soft cover