| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | - | ||
| Date: | 1879, May, 8 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (3 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Irving's plans were so indefinite that he was not justified in preventing Tennyson from publishing so momentous a thing as 'Becket'. Ellen Terry will not return to Irving until late in October and then he is almost pledged to do a Shakespeare play. (The public expects it.) After all the publication will not much affect the play if it contains the grip at all events. Irving is prepared to raise the objections to publication if in the future they settle on a production. | ||
| Published: | - | ||
| Notes: | Alfred, Lord Tennyson printed the first proofs of 'Becket' in 1879 but publication was deferred until December 1884. See 'Tennyson: a memoir ' by Hallam Tennyson, Macmillan, 1897, vol. 2, pp 193-199. Ellen Terry was on tour with her second husband Charles Kelly [Wardell]. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3793) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5514 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | Royal Lyceum Theatre, Strand | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | - | ||
| Date: | 1879, Dec., 16 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (4 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Tennyson wants a reply concerning 'Becket'. Nothing would give Irving more pleasure than to produce it, but when he might he cannot say. The conditions of his lesseeship [of the Lyceum] render it imperative that he make money as the early time of his management was fraught with excessive expenditure. He would hardly expect to make a profit from 'Becket' but he would expect to enhance his reputation but when he can be justified in expending £2000 on a play solely for the reputation of all concerned he cannot say. Cannot believe at present that 'Becket' would have a long run or that it should be acted for more than £150 a night. The expense nightly will be at least £135 not including fee to the author and with an outlay of £2000 upon the production Tennyson may calculate the position of the manager at the end of a 100 night run. Need he repeat what a delight it would be to produce his father's play but he frankly believes that a less remarkable work than 'Becket' would have a greater chance of success. He will return the books as Hallam Tennyson desires. | ||
| Published: | |||
| Notes: | In a Secretary's hand -signed by Irving. The play is referred to as 'à Becket'. See Letter 5514. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3794) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5515 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | Farringford, Freshwater, Isle of Wight | ||
| Date: | 1880, Nov., 16 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (3 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Thanks for his father's beautiful and magnificent additions. The staggering Synorix is very fine - awful and grim. Other scenes are splendid and will be of great use. Suggests after 12th line on page 47 that a line is added such as 'Beside the temple - now a year ago'. He doesn't think Hallam will like this - he can see him laughing but he needs to bring the audience back to the place and time of the first Act. An audience needs a lap spoon. | ||
| Published: | |||
| Notes: | Irving is suggesting alterations/additions to Tennyson's 'The Cup' which opened at the Lyceum on 3rd January 1881 and ran for 130 nights. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3795) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5516 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | Farringford, Freshwater, Isle of Wight | ||
| Date: | 1880, [Dec.] | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (7 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Splendid - every word is precious gold. By the Gods he had done but now asks for one, no three, little things. First, after Camma enters temple add lines about her beauty and lingering looks etc. Secondly, extra lines to describe details to audience. Thirdly he wants a change in one of his speeches. P.S. Hallam will be coming to the dress rehearsal on Christmas Eve - Irving will be getting the puddings and the jolly cheer ready. | ||
| Published: | - | ||
| Notes: | Irving is giving detailed analysis of requested alterations to Tennyson's 'The Cup' which opened at the Lyceum on 3rd January 1881 and ran for 130 nights. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3797) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5525 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | Farringford, Freshwater, Isle of Wight | ||
| Date: | 1880, Dec., 10 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (11 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Long, detailed letter about changes to Tennyson's 'The Cup'. Irving believes 'the Cup' is the best title. Discusses other alternatives e.g. 'Synorix & Camma' but 'The Cup' looks well printed and it does not matter that the Cup reveals too much of the plot. Everybody knows the end of a Shakespeare play and the plot will be known after the first night. What do Hallam and his father think? Principally he wants Alfred Tennyson to write a few lines to open Act 1 Sc. 3; something Synorix should say about his escape of the night before and whether she will come to him and a revelation of his real character. Irving is sure a few lines would intensify and lead up to evening scene. A few words after Camma takes the Cup into the Temple - words about her beauty and his irresistible desire to possess her... Besides they need a few for Publius and the soldiers at start of scene so deprive him of words after Camma's exit. This suggestion need not interfere with the poem and need not necessarily be printed. He thinks his suggestions will lead to success; he intends producing the play on Monday, 3rd January - a Monday to keep out "the cacklers". Saturday is usual but then you let in all the Sunday small-fry - a ragged lot. Besides he must have the public in the seats not the usual first night crowd who come to see a play damned. Public are booking for 3rd January not knowing the banquet they will feast on. Few complimentary seats, therefore. Will spread the gentlemen over three nights rather than one. Tennyson will hardly believe demand for first nights from all over the world. "Phew! The smell of 'em' ". Postcript suggests another line for p.34: "Camma you will not wed this Synorix?" | ||
| Published: | |||
| Notes: | Postmarked envelope included with Aldworth nr Haslemere, Surrey crossed out. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3796) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5528 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | - | ||
| Date: | 1880, Dec., 18 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (4 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Wishes he could be "with you and yours" but no peace in store for him just yet. Discusses his role as Synorix in 'The Cup'. Thinks there will be a fine effect after Synorix tries to laugh away his [?] "'This all too happy day". Could greatly increase the effect by addition of one more line of half drunken joy before "This all too happy day" so that leaning on Publius' arm he tries to jest away his pain and leaving him almost [?] up to the altar with 'Crown Queen!' when he is struck like Ascanius. In great haste. P.S. Is it "So ends" or "So end" all passions'? | ||
| Published: | |||
| Notes: | 'The Cup' opened on 3rd January, 1881 at the Lyceum. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3798) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5529 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | Farringford, Freshwater, Isle of Wight | ||
| Date: | 1880, Dec., 19 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (3 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | As we do not see the women drag Camma into the temple Irving says what is described "The doors are open'd - the women drag her in" or something like and he would like one more line to impress that she has found refuge and escaped him. "These Romans dare not violate the temple" would be just the thing - but that comes in splendidly where it is. Why cannot we repeat a good thing? | ||
| Published: | - | ||
| Notes: | Changes suggested for 'The Cup' which opened on 3rd January, 1881 at the Lyceum. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3799) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5534 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 15A, Grafton Street, Bond Street, W. | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | - | ||
| Date: | 1882, June, 27 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (2 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Stoker has told Irving that Hallam T was in town. Greeting. Irving hopes to see him soon. Just now he is very busy as Hallam may guess and full of Versions - Story of - but if he will send one printed copy that he mentioned it will be a delight for Irving to read and they can talk it over. | ||
| Published: | - | ||
| Notes: | By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3800) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5536 | ||
| Author: | Irving, Henry | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | Lyceum Theatre | ||
| Recipient: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
| Address: | - | ||
| Date: | 1891, Jan., 28 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (3 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | Irving has given his best and warmest consideration to the play [unspecified] which he returns. It would have given him sincere pleasure to have produced it at the Lyceum and he is proud to be associated in any way with Hallam's father's works but the rigorousness of how theatrical management has to be conducted controls his personal wishes. At the present time the public taste is in a very 'sensational' condition and Irving's intentions of three months ago are entirely changed. Sends his kindest wishes to Lord and Lady Tennyson. | ||
| Published: | - | ||
| Notes: | Pencil note on letter with 'Foresters' query re possible play. The letter is mentioned in Hallam Tennyson's 'Tennyson: a memoir', p.390. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3801) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5564 | ||
| Author: | Tennyson, Hallam | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | Farringford, Freshwater, Isle of Wight | ||
| Recipient: | Irving, Henry | ||
| Address: | - | ||
| Date: | 1892, Jan., 6 | ||
| Document Type: | Letter (3 p.) | ||
| Content Summary: | They have to arrange to secure the English rights of 'The Foresters' which Daly has undertaken to bring out in New York on 16th February. it would be a great favour to his father if Irving could help arrange a performance to secure the British rights. May they trespass on Irving's friendship as they are ignorant and powerless about such matters. Let them know what his expenses are. Best wishes for the New Year from them all. P.S. Deeply interested in Irving's play, may it have all success. Hopes the letter does not bother him as he is so busy. G.L. Craik of Macmillans' would help in any way as to the transaction. | ||
| Published: | - | ||
| Notes: | Irving had just opened in 'Henry VIII' on 5th January 1892. 'The Foresters' was given a token performance at the Lyceum on 17th March 1892. By courtesy of the Tennyson Research Centre, Lincolnshire County Council. | ||
| Document Holder: | TRC (Reference: 3093) | ||
| Ref.No: | 5565 | ||