The Public Face of Wilkie Collins, II 50-51
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Newnham Paddox |
N.B. If my resignation as the dramatic author
is necessary to my contemplated negociations with country managers---my resignation is left in Charles Ward's hands, and can be sent in when necessary. |
as soon as possible. If country
managers apply for it, under these cicumstances, I am sure you will not object to give Charles Ward – who manages everything for me in my absence – the benefit of your experience, if he wants a word of advice. I am already in treaty with “Mr Coleman” of York and Leeds – and am leaving Charles Reade to conclude the [deletion] negociation
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in that quarter – as Charles Reade brought us together. In the case of any other managers, I leave copies of the piece at Charles Ward’s disposal – and he will only have to consult you as to the nightly terms he shall ask. They like their parts at The Olympic – and are resolute to do their best. Can I do anything for you at Florence or Rome? Write at once to 9. Melcombe Place, if I can. Ever yours Wilkie Collins
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P.S. I send you an unmarked copy of The Frozen Deep ---the /stage/ changes at The Olympic being unimportant. |
NOTES
The Frozen Deep was first performed on 6 January 1857 at Dickens's home Tavistock House. Dickens and Collins took the leading male parts and friends and family the others. Shortly after, it was performed in Manchester with professional actresses (but Dickens, Collins and other male friends took the male parts). One of the actresses was Ellen Ternan who became Dickens's mistress. The first fully professional performance was at The Olympic Theatre in London on 27 October 1866. It ran until 15 December. It was not a financial success, Wilkie complained he had not made sixpence out of it.
John Palgrave Simpson (1807-1887), was a novelist and travel writer who was a friend of Collins. Several letters to him are extant. This letter is contained in an extra-illustrated edition of My Autobiography and Reminiscences by the artist William Powell Frith, another close friend of Wilkie's. It is possible that the book was Palgrave Simpson's. See also 24 June 1881.
Newnham Paddox, near Lutterworth and northwest of Coventry in the English Midlands, was until 1952 the seat of the Earls of Denbigh. The 8th Earl at this time was Rudolph William Feilding (1823-1892). An almost exact contemporary of Wilkie, he had inherited the title from his father a year before this visit. The oval device at the top of the page may be his arms.
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QUIS SIMILIS TUI IN FORTIBUS DOMINE |