Bundle of correspondence

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 133 FRD1/1/227
  • Former Reference
      GB 133 RDJ56-70; and RDXJ1-42.
  • Dates of Creation
      1941-5 May 1953 & n.d.
  • Physical Description
      58 pieces

Scope and Content

With Rosamund John (b. 1913), actress. Pieces /1-16 are open and cover dates [March 1943]-5 May 1953. Topics covered include: John's best wishes for [Heartbreak House] at the Cambridge Theatre [in March 1943]; RD's advice to John about press notices in 1947; RD's recommendation of a man called Charles Neil who can help John to relax before her performances; an unsuccessful screen test John did for Edward My Son with Spencer Tracy; her anticipation of The Winslow Boy in 1948 and a recent meeting with "Puffin" [Anthony Asquith] (/7); John's work on a new play [in early 1951], about which she is depressed; her thanks to RD for help with her "Village Wooing" accent; the troubled run of the play; and her congratulations to RD and Renée on their marriage in May 1953.

The remainder of the correspondence, which is closed, consists of: 167 sheets of correspondence and papers (letters, draft letters, and jottings); and a wallet containing 26 photographs and three postcards.

Manuscript and typescript.

Arrangement

A number of the letters are undated; some have been left in their original place in sequence, but others which can be dated from internal evidence have been relocated.

Access Information

Pieces /17-88 are closed, and may only be accessed by readers who have obtained the prior permission of Joanna Wellington and Brian Donat.