9th October 1953
Dear St.John,
I enclose a copy of Mrs.Martin's Man: If you want another
one I can provide vou with it. I Have already given Goldblatt
one for the Group Theatre. He has read It but still seems
unsure what to do. I think he and McCandless are wondering
whether to put Mrs.Martin's Man or Martha on at Christmas. All
I can extract from him is that he will give the plays good dates
- either Christmas or Easter. He told me that- he had promised
you that too. He seems to be of the opinion that Mrs.Martin's
tan is a bit stark for Christmas audiences - not enough laughs:
so possibly Martha may be lighter. 1 don't mind what happens so
long as we get a reasonably good date.
The Election will soon be upon us here, but the prospect of
it bores me, seeing that the result is in no doubt, and all the
speeches are the same.
How are things with you? I suppose you are as busy as ever.
George Buchanan very kindly sent me some of your old Observer
articles: they read as freshly as the day on which they were
published. Leonora is right, you must publish them soon.
Surely it wouldn't be so very much work. Couldn't she do the
editing?
I am just now reading a very good book indeed, called
Playwright At Work by John van Druten. The Arts Theatre is
just about to produce Joe's play Down The Heather Glen, which
I will be going to see next week. I run a programne called
"The Arts in Ulster” which covers the theatre, Art Exhibitions
etc'., it is really a crib of The Critics. Ihis is the only
criticism of any value we have here, and sometimes it is not
bat at all. My trouble usually is getting a good dramatic
critic.
I will tell you when Goldblatt reaches a decision. Any
luck with Esperanza yet?
Ever,
Dr.St.John Ervlne,
Honey Ditches,
Seaton, Devon.
