Item 153 - Correspondence relating to Edward Choate production of 'Juno and the Paycock' and also his attempts to stage Paul Vincent Carroll's 'Old Foolishness'

77 items

Correspondence relating to Edward Choate production of 'Juno and the Paycock' and also his attempts to stage Paul Vincent Carroll's 'Old Foolishness', also correspondence of a more personal nature between Choate and Shields following Shields illness and withdrawal from an active role in productions. Includes letter dated 3 January 1940 from Richard J Madden acting on behalf of Sean O'Casey addressed to Edward Choate, Paycock productions Inc., 223 West 44th Street, New York City granting Choate 'sole and exclusive rights to present Mr. O'Casey's play "Juno and The Paycock" in the city of New York, commencing on or about February 1st 1940.' Also includes letter dated 3 January 1940 from the Actors' Equity Association addressed to Edward Choate, 223 West 44th Street, New York, N.Y. confirming that 'none of' Sara Allgood, Aideen O'Connor, Barry Fitzgerald, Arthur Shields' will be obliged to the six-months period between engagements that usually apply to all alien actors.' Also includes letter dated 23 January 1940 from Edward Choate, 223 West 44th Street addressed to Arthur Shields, Lenox Hill Hospital, Park Avenue and 76th Street, New York City enclosing the accounts of Paycock productions (see ref). Arthur Shields was at that time in hospital suffering from T.B. Also includes correspondence between Edward Choate and Arthur Shields relating to Paul Vincent Carroll's play 'The Old Foolishness', in letter dated 19 February 1940 addressed to Edward Choate from Arthur Shields, Villa Riposo. Shields writes 'I have read over 'The Old Foolishness very carefully and I might as well come to the point at once and say that I am somewhat disappointed in it.' Also includes correspondence between Arthur Shields and Edward Choate relating to Aideen O'Connor's role in 'Grey Farm' by Terence Rattigan and Hector Bolitho, she was forced to quit the play after coming under pressure from its producers. Choate apparently abandoned plans to produce 'The Old Foolishness' in letter dated 24 June 1940 from Paul Vincent Carroll, Torquil, Carmyle Avenue, Glasgow E 2. addressed to Edward Choate, The Shubert Theatre, West 44th St., New York City, Carroll writes 'the news that you have had to abandon "The Old Foolishness" for lack of finance came as a severe disappointment, for I was looking forward to your winning through with it, and besides I feel that with all his cash Golden is a bit of an idiot, and you with all your poverty are a bit of an artist.'

T13/A/142, T13/A/146-148

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27/06/2013
22/07/2025