The Red Devil Battery Sign. A Work for "The Presentational Theatre".

WILLIAMS, Tennessee.

Published by [no place: no publisher,] 1976

About this Item

Rehearsal script for the 1977 production at the Round House Theatre. Williams later revised his play, and the text in this script differs significantly to that first published in 1988. The present text comprises four scenes in Act 1, four scenes in Act 2, and three scenes in Act 3. The published script has only two scenes in Act 2. Williams's three-act play of a corrupt and decadent civilisation on the brink of destruction was originally presented in Boston in 1975, and starred Anthony Quinn and Claire Bloom. It was then produced by Gene Persson at the Round House in London on 8 June 1977. The title-page of this copy includes an ownership name of "Shorter" in the top right corner. Ken Shorter (1945-2024), the Australian actor known for his appearance opposite Mick Jagger in the 1970 film Ned Kelly, played the role of Wolf in the 1977 production. There are a number of annotations to the script: a note, apparently for the role of King, on p. I-1-9, underlining of directions for the character of Crew-Cut, on pp. I-1-12, I-1-13, and III-2-28, stage directions added on pp. I-3-36, II-1-1, and III-2-29, together with underlining of lines for the role of King, on pp. III-1-7, III-1-8, III-1-10 to III-1-15, and III-1-17-20. The script comprises a title page (including the name of the producer Gene Persson), a "Note on Handling of Telephone Scenes" (1 leaf), the text of Act 1 (45 leaves), a dividing blank, the text of Act 2 (29 leaves), a dividing blank, and the text of Act 3 (38 leaves). The inserted additional leaf comprises a photocopied leaf of typescript with manuscript annotations (Wolf's statement, "They do not understand" being changed to "They understand nada!" for example). Peter Lewis, "What a Vivid Red Devil.", Daily Mail, 9 June 1977, p. 24. Quarto. Photocopied typescript, 114 light blue leaves (280 x 216 mm), printed on rectos only with 2 dividing blank leaves on dark blue paper. With additional leaf headed "Possible insert after King's death - pharmacy scene" loosely inserted. Original red wrappers, front wrapper with window to title page, two split pins. Some light creases and soiling to wrappers; some annotations to text, occasional soiling and creases: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 177491

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Red Devil Battery Sign. A Work for "The Presentational Theatre".
• Publisher: [no place: no publisher,] 1976