Item 24 - Typed letter from Peter Shaffer to Larry [Olivier]

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Reference code

SHAF/B/6/1/24

Title

Typed letter from Peter Shaffer to Larry [Olivier]

Date(s)

  • 28 Nov. 1983 (Creation)

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5 sheets, 1 env.

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Two copies, both with corrections and signed by Peter. 173 Riverside Drive, Apartment 16C, New York, NY 10024 - Thanks him for his letter, sent 'at last' [about the reference to 'Black Comedy' in his book], giving the details of the genesis of his idea for the staging, describing the limited extent of Kenneth Tynan's involvement; finds it more than unfortunate that Olivier should have defended Tynan to his Board by implying he was responsible for the idea of 'Black Comedy' and its implication that PS has been taking credit for work he never did; rejects his letter of apology, noting Olivier's waffling 'my mistake, if mistake it was'; is further hurt by the fact that Olivier fails to mention two of the 'smash-hits' he provided the company entirely, and attribute the third to someone else.

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      Note

      One copy in an envelope with letter from Olivier to PS dated 20 Oct. 1983.

      Note

      One letter with an envelope addressed to Lord Olivier, 7, St. Leonards Terrace, London SW 3 England [Peter Shaffer's address], Private. With a note in Dennis Aspland's hand at top left, 'Correspondence betw. P. Shaffer & Larry Olivier'.

      Note

      Second letter with a photocopy of a caricature of a scene in Act II, by Al Hirschfeld.

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