Archive of scripts, production documents, correspondence, and other ephemera belonging to theatre director and producer John C. Wilson

N.p. N.p., Circa 1936-1972. A substantial archive of scripts, production documents, correspondence, and other ephemera belonging to theatre director and producer John "Jack" C. Wilson, largely dating from 1936-1948, including materials relating to two productions of works by Wilson's lover, collaborator, and client, Noël Coward; the nine one-act play cycle, "Tonight at 8:30" (1936 US production at the National Theatre) and Coward's critically acclaimed comedy of manners, "Present Laughter" (1946 US production at the Plymouth Theatre). Detailed inventory available upon request.

Included in the archive are: Seven scripts: four ribbon copy typescript, two carbon copy typescript, and one mimeograph duplication, four being Wilson's working copies with annotations throughout. Over 50 production documents, letters, and notes, including planning and performance documents and financial statements. Correspondence with actress, dramatist, and diseuse, Ruth Draper. An original manuscript "Piano Score" for "There Shall Be No Night," as well as an Aldwych Theatre poster for the 1940 production. In addition, the archive includes ad proofs, sheet music, programs, newspaper clippings, a compilation "keysheet" photograph of nine images from "Excursion" (1937 at the Vanderbilt Theatre), a photograph of Coward on the set of "The Italian Job" (1969), and a signed and dated 1972 Christmas card from Coward, featuring a color photograph of the playwright. An extraordinary and insightful collection of mid-century theatre production.

Housed in an accordion folder labeled "John C. Wilson / Noel Coward," the archive contains eight folders, seven of which are labeled with the names of the corresponding production (one unlabeled with later ephemera dating from 1952-1972): "Tonight at 8:30," "Excursion / Miscellaneous," "There Shall Be No Night," "Bloomer Girls," "Oh Mistress Mine," "Present Laughter," two folders for "The Eagle Has Two Heads," and "Ruth Draper."

Scripts included in the archive are: "Excursion," "There Shall Be No Light" (with the manuscript annotation on the front wrapper of "W. Lyn Fontaine," almost certainly lead actress Lynn Fontanne), "Bloomer Girl," "Oh Mistress Mine" (with the manuscript annotation on the front wrapper of "Mr. Lunt's version," Alfred Lunt directed), "Present Laughter: A Comedy in Three Acts"(with the manuscript annotation on the front wrapper of "Dalton," Doris Dalton starred), and two copies of "The Eagle Has Two Heads," including an early unbound ribbon copy typescript draft (lacking the first five pages), with manuscript annotations throughout (the second bound copy of "The Eagle Has Two Heads" has the manuscript annotation on the front wrapper of "Playing Script as of Feb 28 - '47").

New York stockbroker, John C. Wilson, met Noël Coward during the run of Coward's controversial play "The Vortex" at the Everyman Theatre in 1924, and shortly thereafter became Coward's lover and manager. Wilson's long and storied career in theatre began in 1931 as General Manager for Coward's hit play "Private Lives," and in 1934, Wilson, along with Coward, actress Lynn Fontanne, and theatre director Alfred Lunt, established Transatlantic Productions, which held exclusive rights to Coward's plays in the US. In 1935 Wilson began producing Broadway shows, including Coward's 1936 hit nine play cycle "Tonight at 8:30." Wilson's relationship with Coward lasted through the late 1930s, until Wilson's alcoholism, poor business management, and embezzlement, soured the relationship, and in 1937 Wilson married Russian socialite Natalia Pavlovna Paley, in an agreed marriage of convenience. Wilson began his first work as director in Coward's 1941 farce, "Blithe Spirit," and from the early 1940s through the mid 1950s served as co-director of the Westport Country Playhouse. Among Wilson's 45 Broadway credits include directing the original productions of "Kiss Me Kate" (1948), and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1949).

"Excursion" script:
Brown titled wrappers with "Property of John C. Wilson" and "Rialto Service Bureau" labels." Title page present, with credits for playwright Victor Wolfson. 112 leaves, with last page of text numbered 3-2-63. Carbon copy typescript, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound internally with two gold brads.

"There Shall Be No Light" script:
Gray titled wrappers. Title page present, dated 1940, with credits for playwright Robert E. Sherwood. 96 leaves, with last page of text numbered 7-7. Ribbon copy typescript, rectos only. Pages Near FIne, wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

"Bloomer Girl" script:
Lavendar untitled wrappers with a titled label, and "Property of John C. Wilson" and "Rialto Service Bureau" labels." 73 leaves, with last page of text numbered 73. Ribbon copy typescript on onionskin, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound internally with two silver brads.

"Oh Mistress Mine" script:
Orange titled wrappers with "Property of John C. Wilson" and "Rialto Service Bureau" labels." Title page integral with "Act One" page. 154 leaves, with last page of text numbered 3-49. Ribbon copy typescript , rectos only. Pages Near FIne, wrapper Very Good plus, bound internally with two gold brads.

"Present Laughter: A Light Comedy in Three Acts" script:
Lavender titled wrappers, with "Property of John C. Wilson" and "Rialto Service Bureau" labels." 109 leaves, with last page of text numbered 3-25. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good plus, bound internally with two gold brads.

"The Eagle Has Two Heads" [1] script:
78 leaves, lacking the first five pages, with last page of text numbered 3-28. Carbon copy typescript, rectos only. Pages Very Good plus, unbound.

"The Eagle Has Two Heads" [2] script:
Orange titled wrappers, with "Property of John C. Wilson" and "Rialto Service Bureau" labels." Title page present, with credits for playwrights Ronald Duncan and Jean Cocteau. 105 leaves, with last page of text numbered 3-32. Ribbon copy typescript, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good, with front wrapper separated, bound internally with two gold brads.

Accordion Folder and documents Very Good plus to Near Fine overall.

[Book #160010]