The Birmingham Repertory Theatre 1913-1963.

Barrie and Rockliff, London., 1963. First edition. Octavo. pp xvi, 272. Numerous illustrations from photographs. This history was commissioned after the death in 1961 of Sir Barry Jackson who had founded the theatre in 1913. It was the first purpose-built repertory theatre in the world.Loosely inserted are two Typed Letters Signed by Barry Jackson and dated June 14th 1950 and 17th May 1951, the first being on his Blackhill headed writing paper and the other on that of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Both letters are to Daisy Drinkwater, the widow of the poet and dramatist John Drinkwater who had been a director at the theatre in its early years and who features several times in the text. The first regrets that he cannot attend the wedding of Drinkwater's daughter and the second tactfully declines a request to stage ''All Clear'', a play by Drinkwater which seems never to have been performed. With the book is an original print of a photograph which appears facing page 17. It shows fifteen men of the Repertory Theatre dressed for war work as shell-makers at the Birmingham Aluminium Works. The photograph has been mounted on grey cartridge paper at the bottom edge of which John Drinkwater has written the names of the people featured, including himself, Barry Jackson, Felix Aylmer et al. He has dated the photograph ''1914'', whereas Trewin in his caption gives ''1915''. On the back of the mounting sheet is a short explanatory note signed by Daisy Drinkwater. Also included are letters from two later Directors of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to Daisy Drinkwater: an ALS from Cyril L. Phillips in response to news of the death of her husband; a TLS from Michael Simpson, dated 11th May, 1973, inviting her to a production of Twelfth Night in celebration of the theatre's 60th anniversary. Also a TLS to her from Bache Matthews the author of an earlier book on the Birmingham Rep.Inserts: letters folded one, very good; photograph fine. Book: tail of spine slightly pushed; very good in good, slightly rubbed and nicked dustwrapper very faded at the spine.