Item 3 - Typed letter from Peter Shaffer to John [Dexter]

5 sheets

173 Riverside Drive, Apt 16C, New York, N.Y. 10024 -- A five page letter in which Shaffer objects to Dexter's demand through his agent of 10% of all Shaffer's Subsidiary Rights in 'Amadeus', explains why he thinks of going to the National Theatre: the commercial theatre in London has gone downhill, and going to the National would provide him with a sense of continuity; details the actions that Dexter has taken that he does not understand and guesses that Dexter wasn't happy with arrangements about 'Equus'; finds their relationship has broken down and concludes that they should not work together. Rejects Dexter's claim to Subsidiary Rights, and mentions that he asked several friends for their opinion of an early version of 'Amadeus' which was written as a quasi-detective story relating to Mozart's death and the Freemasons, but that this does not constitute an acknowledgement of authorship. Praises Dexter's contributions to his plays, but feels the tensions are such that they can not work together now.

Found in an envelope addressed to John Dexter with a letter to Dexter dated 1 June, a confirmation copy of a telegram to Dexter dated 13 June, and a draft of a letter to Marc Berlin.

This letter was returned to Shaffer unopened, according to an undated memo from Shaffer to Marc Berlin. [SHAF B11/1/7].