Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1949 Feb 16th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd001 Letter Election, Reason, Dethroned English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd001 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd001_3.jpg LHL Archive 16th February, 1949. Dear St.John Ervine, Thank you very much for your note. It is good news that your book is coming out. I want to devote a whole book talk to it, that is 15 minutes, so it would be very useful if you could let me have a bound proof so that the reviewer can have plenty of time to chew over your text. The problem of who is the best person to review it is not an easy one, and no decision has been reached yet. I want to get somebody authoratative. The election excitement has died down now and we have virtually a one party house. You may be pleased, I am not. And I hope that as a democrat you are displeased - surely any government needs constant criticism. About Beattie, well, I agree with you: the man contributes nothing. I wish I thought that his successor wasn’t annonentity. However the whole thing makes me sick - cabinet ministers going round on white horses, hysterical women dressed up, bands booming, and in all the god of Reason completely dethroned. You are a lucky man to be in a civilized country. I hope you are well and will pay us a visit sooner or later. Joe's book has done reasonably well. Did you read Bridle Steen and Lord Dunsany's wonderful claims for it? It is not very good I think. There is a better novel just published which I'm sure nobody will read. It is called "Come Day Co Day” by John O'Connor a 25 year old Armagh man. If you can get a hold of it, read it. It is full of promise. I hope you flourish. How about the Marx play? Yours ever, JB (JOHN BOYD) Talks Producer, N.I.Region Dr.St.John Ervine, Honey Ditches, Seaton, Devon, England. FJ. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1134 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1949 Mar 1st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd002 Letter Craigavon, Trinity College Dublin English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd002 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd002_3.jpg LHL Archive 1st March, 1949. Dear St.John Ervine, Thank you very much for sending me a proof copy of Craigavon and also your long letter. The delay In answering both is due to the fact that I am having trouble with my wisdom teeth and trying to forget the toothache by reading Craigavon before sending it out to be read by your reviewer. Unfortun- ately I am not allowed to do it myself, and indeed I am not capable of the job. I am now about one-third way through it and am full of admiration. It's a big book in every sense, and it seems to me a work of scholarship and of far-reaching scope. Whether your thesis is or is not right I just don’t know, and most of my ingrained protestant prejudices are in favour of your arguments. You have of course put up a most formidable case and it will be interesting reading and listening to people who will try to knock you down. What I did whole- heartedly admire was your prose, which in Craigavon is of rare vintage. The book was obviously a labour of love and must have given you great enjoyment to write. I met Craigavon only once and was not in the least impressed by him and his appear- ance had no attraction at all for me; but your portrayal of his character seemed to me so sane and balanced and just that I am almost won over. In other words you have mesmerised me and I hope to come to my senses within the next fortnight, probably having lost my wisdom teeth during the same period. I don't yet know who will be chosen to review Craigavon. We are offering the job to Professor Moody, now of Trinity College Dublin, but for a long time lecturer at Queen’s, and of course a Belfastman and an Ulsterman. He is one of our most distinguished historians and should be able to discuss the book intelligently. He is a bit of a dry stick personally but he is considered a very sound historian. At least he won’t butter you up: the probability is that he will pierce your armour at various places, and we of course will give him a free hand. At the moment he is in Leeds and I have not yet got his acceptance. If he does not want to do the job I’ll think of somebody else and inform you as soon as a decision is reached. I am rushing off now to take part in one of those dreadful Quiz programmes whose continuing popularity I can never understand. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1135 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1949 Mar 1st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd003 Letter Regional, London English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd003 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd003_3.jpg LHL Archive Or rather I can - It Is Lord Northcliffe and Answers all over again. I heard glowing reports about your talk from the West Region, but very rarely indeed do we exchange Regional talks. However I’ll mention the matter to my Head of Programmes. I am going to London on the 25th of April to the 20th of May for a month's training at the B.B.C. and was wondering if you happened to be there during that period whether you would have a meal with me somewhere? I’d be very glad of a chat and would give you all the local scandal I could gather up. Yours ever, (JOHN BOYD) Talks Produeer,N.I.Region Dr.St.John Ervine, Honey Ditches, Seaton, Devon, England. FJ. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1136 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1949 Oct 7th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd004 Letter London, Producer English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd004 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd004_3.jpg LHL Archive 7th October 1949 Dear Michael, I'll be In London on Thursday 27th October for a meeting of Talks Producers and I propose getting a studio and recording your two stories if this would be conveni- ent for you. If you give me word to go ahead I shall begin booking a studio In London and so on. I suggest we do the stories on Sunday - say one in the morning and the other In the evening. Or if you like one on Sunday and the other on Monday morning. Have you a definitive script yet of "The Man about the House". If so perhaps you would forward it to me for stenciling. I'll send you a copy of "The Pensioners" about a week before the recording. I have put “The Man about the House" in programmes for Wednesday 16th November, 10.25-10.45 p.m. I'm looking forward to seeing you again. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Talks Produce,N.I.Region Frank O'Connor Esq., c/o Bill Haughton Esq., 64 St.George's Square, LONDOn, W.I. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1137 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1949 Oct 20th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd005 Letter B.B.C, Jubilee, O'Connor English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd005 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd005_3.jpg LHL Archive 20th October 1949. Dear Michael, I have just heard, at the last minute, that the BBC will not release me from this Jubilee nonsense to go to London. This is a sad blow as I was looking forward very much to seeing you. I have had to cancel recording arrangements and studio bookings and so on, and as you can guess I'm not in the best of tempers. However, these things happen in the BBC and have to be endured. Many thanks for the pome: it lifted our spirits, and has made Frances bring a dictionary into the office. Thus good comes from evil. If you have any time drop me a note: I see McFaden once a week and if he or I can be of any help at any time I know you'll write. 1'11 let you know when I get some decision made about the stories. One - "The Man of the House" is in pro- grammes. With best wishes to you Yours ever Frank 0,Connor Esq., Flat 36, Rutland Court, Denmark Hill, S.E.5. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1138 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1951 Dec 31st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd006 Letter Film, New Yorker English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd006 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd006_3.jpg LHL Archive 31st December 1951. Dear Michael, Please thank Joan for her unique Christmas card: it was very good of her to remember me in the middle of such an upheaval. I’m glad that you are out of Dublin for a space - you will have time to breathe again and to write. I expect you are all settling down in Dorset: a change of climate will do you all the good in the world. We have all had flu and. are not so good, but I have returned to work and am, as usual, up to the eyes, have you noticed that Sams book has been getting good reviews? It has bucked him up greatly. Joe was in the office today - he has just finished a film. I had a letter from Bill recently, sounded a little depressed, hope I may hear from you soon. I am reading a lively book by Edmund Wilson - Classics and Commercials. I expect you have read most of the stuff in the New Yorker. All the best to Donny and Oliver and a very haopy New Year to Joan and yourself. Yours ever, Michael O'Donovan Esq., 7 Cobb Terrace, Lime Regis, DORSET, England. PJ. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1139 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1952 Apr 30th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd007 Letter Emendations, McLaverty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd007 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd007_3.jpg LHL Archive 30 th April 1952. Dear Michael, I am very grateful to you for your work on the script, I certainly agree with your emendations. I also think we should include the story of the fresh air. If you had an hour to spare some afternoon I would be glad if you came in and had a chat with me about it, though as I had hoped we have really no disagreement worth discussing. With best wishes to yourself and the family. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Talks Producer,N.I.Region Michael McLaverty Esq., 30 Deramore Drive, BELFAST. FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1140 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1952 Apr 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd008 Letter Script, Fight English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd008 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd008_3.jpg LHL Archive 21st April 1952. Dear. Michael, Thank you for your letter. There is no hurry about returning my script, but of course I shall be only too glad to incorporate your suggestions wlthout a ' fight'! I am looking forward to seeing you again, in about a fortnight’s time as you suggest, I hope you have had a good holiday. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Talks Producer,N.I.Region Michael McLaverty Esq., 30 Deramaore Drive, BELFAST. PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1141 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1952 Oct 2nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd009 Letter Rotary, Royal Belfast Academical Institution English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd009 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd009_3.jpg LHL Archive 2nd October 1952. Dear Mr, Grummitt, I regret that I was unable to get Mr. Buchanan to address the Rotary, so I propose doing it myself. Perhaps you would tell me the time and venue for lunch. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) J.H.Grummitt Esq.,M.A., Royal Belfast Academical Institution, College Square East, BELFAST. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1142 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1953 May 28th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd010 Letter Esperenza, Goldblatt English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd010 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd010_3.jpg LHL Archive 28th May, 1953. Dear St.John, Thank you very much for sending me Esperanza. What happened was I asked Goldblatt to let me read it, and he promptly did so, asking me to return it to him in a day or so. The result was I read it very quickly and returned it to him; but I am very glad you sent it to me because I have now been able to read it carefully. I find it very exciting indeed: the people springing at once into life, and the whole atmosphere and action most convincing. It would, i think, play extraordinarily well, for it is full of dramatic movement and sound philosphical reflection. The characters are certainly interesting in themselves - the Oscotts; Agatha Chope; that lovely girl Annie Appleyard; and Rennie; and the delightful Stevens, the steward; and the Rev. Macdonald. All excellent. The only characters I didn't wholly believe in were Crawley and Tripp: to my mind both are overdrawn; your anti-communism has got the better of you. Haven't you done the equivalent of the 'bloated capitalist' nonsense perpe- trated by C.P. writers? I'm grateful to you for letting me read it: and it has so much life in it that it is bound to be produced, sooner or later. If it isn't it'll be disgraceful! I'd love to be at the first night. You remember I mentioned to you that I would like to dramatise Mrs. Martin's Man. Since you left I have been engaged in doing it, and find that the book falls naturally into three acts. I have made a first draft of it and find that the novel was dramatically constructed, and the characters are a very diversified lot, with Martha of course coming out the strongest. If you approve of my proceeding with this I would, of course, show you the first draft when I get it typed. If you disapprove, I know you will say so at once. I have already mentioned to Goldblatt that I was engaged in this and he says the Group would like to do it. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1143 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1953 May 28th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd011 Letter Heretic, Dramatic English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd011 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd011_3.jpg LHL Archive - 2 - During the last four or five months I have been engaged on a play of my own called The Heretic, which Goldblatt has promised to put on next winter. I am, however, not quite satisfied with it and am re-writing bits of it. I would like to send it to you but have already Imposed on you: I think what I need is to see a play of my own produced, and then I shall realise whether or not I have any original dramatic talent. Like many another I think I have, and I only hope I am right, but won’t be surprised if I’m wrong. Yours ever Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1144 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1953 Jul 15th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd012 Letter London, Bill Naughton English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd012 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd012_3.jpg LHL Archive 15th July 1953. Dear St.John, Here Is my adaptation of Mrs. Martin’s Man. I have let Harold Goldblatt read it, and he has accepted it for the Group Theatre. You will see his pencil note on page I. You will see I have changed Jamesy to Johnny: I thought there would be some confusion between Jamesy and his father James. I am very anxious indeed to know what you think of this, and I hope that I have been faithful to the theme and characters of the novel, I certainly enjoyed very much making this adaptation and would be grateful for your criticism. I am rushing off to London now where I shall be staying with Bill Naughton, 64 St. George's Square until the morning of 27th July. If you get an opportunity of reading this in the next ten days or so perhaps you would forward it to 64 St.George’s Square. I am sending, it by registered post and enclose registered onvelope for its return. This is the only full copy in existence and I am heart scared of losing it. I hope your visit to Edinburgh to see the specialist turned out well. If by any chance you are in London during the next fortnight perhaps we could meet and have a meal, but I expect you are working at home. I know your visits to London these days are not too frequent. Best wishes, Ever, (JOHN BOYD) Dr. St.John Ervine, Honey Ditches, Seaton, Devon, England. PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1145 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1953 Oct 9th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd013 Letter Election, The Critics English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd013 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd013_3.jpg LHL Archive 9th October 1953 Dear St.John, I enclose a copy of Mrs.Martin's Man: If you want another one I can provide vou with it. I Have already given Goldblatt one for the Group Theatre. He has read It but still seems unsure what to do. I think he and McCandless are wondering whether to put Mrs.Martin's Man or Martha on at Christmas. All I can extract from him is that he will give the plays good dates - either Christmas or Easter. He told me that- he had promised you that too. He seems to be of the opinion that Mrs.Martin's tan is a bit stark for Christmas audiences - not enough laughs: so possibly Martha may be lighter. 1 don't mind what happens so long as we get a reasonably good date. The Election will soon be upon us here, but the prospect of it bores me, seeing that the result is in no doubt, and all the speeches are the same. How are things with you? I suppose you are as busy as ever. George Buchanan very kindly sent me some of your old Observer articles: they read as freshly as the day on which they were published. Leonora is right, you must publish them soon. Surely it wouldn't be so very much work. Couldn't she do the editing? I am just now reading a very good book indeed, called Playwright At Work by John van Druten. The Arts Theatre is just about to produce Joe's play Down The Heather Glen, which I will be going to see next week. I run a programne called "The Arts in Ulster” which covers the theatre, Art Exhibitions etc'., it is really a crib of The Critics. Ihis is the only criticism of any value we have here, and sometimes it is not bat at all. My trouble usually is getting a good dramatic critic. I will tell you when Goldblatt reaches a decision. Any luck with Esperanza yet? Ever, Dr.St.John Ervlne, Honey Ditches, Seaton, Devon. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1146 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1953 Oct 30th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd014 Letter Patterson, Contractor English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd014 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd014_3.jpg LHL Archive 13 Dunluce Avenue, BELFAST. 30th October 1953, Dear Mr.Caskey, Mr. McCune has been in our house recently ant noticed that the fireplace in the living room is incomplete: there are no means for using the damper. He told me to write to you and said that you would knodoubt get in touch with Mr.Patterson, the contractor. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Messrs. T.S.Martin, Sons, & Caskey, 12 College Square East, BELFAST. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1147 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1954 Mar 17th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd015 Letter B.B.C, London English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd015 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd015_3.jpg LHL Archive 17th March 1954. Dear St.John, The first night is over, and i think it was reasonably successful. Anyway there was a full house and the play was given a very good reception. The general impression is that it is a good play but the final act Is unsatisfactory. Everything went wrong with Act Three: it played for only 17 minutes, and ended with an abrupt curtain. I think the production is good, but there were all sorts of roughnesses in the playing. Unlike you, i have little experience of first nights so I am a bad judge of them. I have seen two criticisms: The Whig, which is a long one and rather unfavourable, and The Telly which I am posting to you, I was not able to go to the rehearsals because the BBC sent me on a rush job over the last week-end to London. I wish it had been next week-end and we could have had a chat. T will give you any further comments as they come along. I am enclosing a copy of the programme also. With best wishes, Ever Dr. St. John Ervine, The Savile Club, 69 Brook Street, LONDON, W.1. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1148 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1957 Feb 14th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd016 Letter Society, Producer English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd016 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd016_3.jpg LHL Archive 14 February 1957 Dear Miss McClatchey: Here is a copy of Mrs. Martin's Man which you told me you would like to see for possible production. If the society is not interested in it perhaps you would be good enough to return it as I have only one or two copies. I am most grateful to you for the information you kindly gave me when I telephoned yesterday. Yours sincerely, (JOHH BOYD) Talks Producer, N.I.Region Miss McClatchey, c/o Belfast Council of Social Service, Bryson House, BELFAST. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1149 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1957 Jun 26th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd017 Letter Rodgers, Producer English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd017 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd017_3.jpg LHL Archive 26th June 1957. Dear Theo, I was glad to hear that you are still alive and to judge from your note you have at last recovered from the dreadful mauling the B.B.C. gave you! I gladly do what you ask and I must apologise for not having thought of the half dozen copies before. You should have these copies and the the six copies of voulume 2 within the next couple of days. I gather that both series are selling quite steadily but I have no figures to hand yet. I envy you going off to Strasbourg: I am going off to Donegal - a better place. I saw Bertie Rodgers last week and he was in fine fettle - a little sad perhaps. I also ran into Leslie McCracken yesterday in Smithfield and had a long yarn with him. He is very pleased about his book. I went down to Dublin about a month ago, just to see the French company doing Molliere but had to scurry up North immediately. The journey was well worth while: I expect you saw this company. All Kinf regards, (JOHN BOYD) Talks Producer,N.I.Region Professor T. Moody, 14 Healthfield Road, Teremurem DUBLIN. JB/LHL Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1150 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1957 Jun 28th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd018 Letter Donegal, London English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd018 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd018_3.jpg LHL Archive 28th June, 1957. Dear Dorothy, It was very good of you to write and to send me your two scripts. I am looking forward to reading them both. To-day I am going off on a holiday to Donegal and so there may be a delay before I return them to you. I was very sorry that your stay here was not longer and that I hadn't an opportunity of taking you into the country. Another time. Elisabeth read "The Street" and told me to tell you that she enjoyed it very much indeed. I wish your publisher would reprint it. It will be good to get away from broadcasting for a month - Donegal is so remote taht I don't expect there will be many wireless sets about. I hope to have a lesisurely time reading a little and bathing. Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Rothwell House, LONDON. JB/LHL Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1151 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1957 Nov 11th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd019 Letter Election, Armagh English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd019 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd019_3.jpg LHL Archive 11 November 1957. Dear John: Thank you very much for sending me the criticism of Not By Bread Alone. They do go into these matters very seriously indeed. I have been wondering how the adaptation of this novel has turned out. I'm sure it is not an easy novel to adapt. I thought it very dull and naive; I don't mean politically naive, but naive so far as the art of the novelist is concerned. The characterization seemed to me quite rudimentary; the writing quite undistinguished; the technicalities quite boring; and some of the incidents quite frightening. I must say, however, I approve of this business of public criticism. It has its dangers, but on balance must be very healthy. It does prevent literature from being esoteric or precious or out of touch. On the other hand vox populi is very far from being vox dei. Did you hear last night the production of The Back Window? Very, very good I thought it - I mean the production. As for the play your friend Beckett is going to have a lot to answer for. Tell Amy that I am trying to get her the historical infor- mation she requests. I have already asked an historian and he has not yet any definite information about the names. He is doubtful, however, that such names have ever been known. Ever John Gibson Esq., Drama Department, Rothwell House, BBC LONDON. JB/PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1152 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1958 May 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd020 Letter Karenina, County Down English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd020 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd020_3.jpg LHL Archive 21 May, 1958. My dear Frank: It was good to hear from you. I have not answered before this because I wanted to meet Miss McColl and also to read her work. I have now done both. She is a middle aged woman who comes from Co. Louth and has been living in Belfast for the last ten years or so with her sister. She is a complete natural and doesn't know Orahm Greene exists. I have read the "Cut the Cards" story and will have it broadcast, and I have asked her to bring in for me some manu- scripts. I agree with you that there is beautiful feeling in her work when it comes out pure. Thank God she isn't widely read: but she tells me that Anna Karenina is her favourite novel, that Trollope is the gre test English novelist, and that Frank O'Connor is the greatest living short story writer. She has heard F. O'C broadcast from Belfast and has also read four of his best stories in, I think, some newspaper or other. And she has no doubt about him. She also tells me that you have said that I am the best critic in the British Isles - or is it in County Down, I am not sure which. Anyhow we are all happy. I am seeing her again next week and shall report to you in due course. Ah me, she asked about the mood story but I changed the subject. I will do my best with her. Your other news is good. Congratulations to you both on the baby. Good news too that you are coming home in September. I shall see my legal adviser, Mr. McFadden, and guarantee you safe conduct to and from Belfast. What about a broadcast in the Fall? I enjoyed The Mirror very much indeed and should have told you that before this. However, if you are not the world's worse corres- pondent you do qualify for the second prize. I am going over to London for a visit and shall see Bill and Erna We shall drink your health. Ever (John Boyd) Talks Froducer, N.I.Region Frank O'Connor Esq., 160 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, I, N.Y. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1153 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1959 May 12th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd021 Letter Daughters, Malone English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd021 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd021_3.jpg LHL Archive 12th May, 1959. Dear Mr.and Mrs.McKee: Thank you very much for the delightful party yesterday. I enjoyed myself very much indeed and judging by the hilarity of the staff enjoyment seemed widespread. It was a lovely idea to invite us into the gardens on such a beautiful evening. I am most grateful to you both - and also to your daughters who contributed not a little to the pleasure of the evening. Yours sincerely, J (John Boyd) Mr.& Mrs.J.Ritchie McKee, 124 Malone Road, BELFAST. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1154 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1958 May 28th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd022 Letter Drama, Soviet English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd022 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd022_3.jpg LHL Archive 16 Dunluce Avenue, BELFAST 28 May, 1958. Dear John: Dr. Ian Leslie passed to me your copy letter of the entries referring to Irish Drama in the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. I have made some corrections in pencil. I see in the covering letter from the Deputy Chief Editor, Mr. L. Shaumyan, that he would like comments, corrections and additions. I wish I had time to do this job in the interests of accurate scholarship, but I haven’t. It would take at least a week’s work. However, my comment is this: I think the encyclopedia is completely out of date and inaccurate so far as Irish Drama is concerned. This really will not do. It is slipshod and unworthy of Soviet scholarship. I think you should pass these com- ments to Mr. Shaumyan. If at any time in the future you would like a contribution to this work of reference; I should be glad to do it provided I am given time and clearly told what is wanted. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) John Warren Esq., 137 Carmeen Drive, Rathcoole, BELFAST. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1155 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1959 Aug 27th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd023 Letter London, Television English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd023 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd023_3.jpg LHL Archive 27th August 1959. Dear Jim: My daughter, Deirdre, has Just passed Senior and is anxious to Join your department in the Secretarial Course "A". I tried to get in touch with you Just to have your advice, but found you were not at home. I am off to London for six months for this Television Course and would have liked to have had a chat with you about Deirdre. Anyhow I will be back in about a month’s time possibly and per- haps I could telephone you and we could have a drink. Ever / (John Boyd) J.U.Stewart Esq., 41 Camden Street, BELFAST. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1156 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Mar 2nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd024 Letter London, Earls Court English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd024 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd024_3.jpg LHL Archive 2nd March I960. Dear Johnnie: I am very sorry I wasn’t able to see you again as my last week in London was rather hectic. I very much enjoyed our walks and talks and hope all will go well with you. Please keep me to my word if you ever get into any fixes - I am sure you won’t, but we never can tell in this scrambling age. Hope to sse you soon - Ever J.Smith Es,., 3 Courtfield Gardens, Earls Court, LONDON, S.W.5. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1157 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Sep 30th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd025 Letter Belfast, Donegal, West End English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd025 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd025_3.jpg LHL Archive 30th September 1960. Dear St. John, It is with great fear and trepidation that I write to you, but if I haven't written I certainly thought of you and wondered how you’re keeping. I hope well. Last week C.K. Munro paid a surprise visit to Belfast and we had a long chat so your ears should have been red. He had with him a Mrs. Wade whom I think was an actress some 20 or 30 years ago. Her husband has edited Yates's letters and I think was engaged in editing Wilde's letters when he died. So I expect you know him. C.K. was in great form despite the fact that he has recently broken a femur. He seemed to get great enjoyment going round Belfast and the coast of Co. Down and seeing all the changes - not all for the better I fear. I am in good form myself, though during the summer I broke four ribs. You will laugh when you hear how. Playing Baseball with American monks in Donegal. I know you will immediately exclaim: "Served the bugger right!" The theatre here is in a bad way: the Group, as you probably know, still goes on, but in a very feeble way. Goldblatt and Co., have left it, of course, and James Young a local commedian is in charge, and farces are a staple diet. The other theatre, the Arts, do the latest West End plays. Unfortunately they select the sillier ones - or the sexier ones. Curious how this still puritanical community relish French or even English sex. I haven't seen Joe for some weeks. He's not well, poor man, and I expect will never become quite his old self again. Did you read a good autobiography by an Ulsterman, Robert Harbinson - "No Surrender" is the title. It's all about his childhood in the Bog Meadows, but I suppose the Bog Meadows was as far away from the Newtownards Road as Siberia! P.T.O. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1158 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Sep 30th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd026 Letter Belfast, Autobiography English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd026 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd026_3.jpg LHL Archive 2. Here in Broadcasting House we are still churning out radio programmes and the odd television programme, but there's nothing very fresh. I am engaged in a long feature on the development of Belfast, and am reading through all the old history, autobiographies and documents I can get my hands on. It's a wonderful history altogether, Belfast's. I only wish the City wasn't so ugly. No-one gives a damn about planning anything. How's your work getting on? C.K. told me you had almost finished your autobiography; I hope this is true. If so it's good news. And I hope all your news is good. With best wishes to Nora and yourself. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Senior Talks Producer, Northern Ireland. Dr. St. John Ervine, Honey Ditches, Seaton, DEVON. JB/PEC Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1159 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Oct 3rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd027 Letter Dublin, Chelsea English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd027 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd027_3.jpg LHL Archive 3rd October I960. Dear Margot: Thank you very much for writing to me - it was not necessary to thank us. Elisabeth and I enjoyed very much meeting you and C.K. Very glad to know that your Dublin trip was a success. C.K. sent me a couple of very nice post cards. You did succeed in seeing your old friends, including the Yeats family, and that must have been very pleasant indeed. I will certainly take up your offer and call with you when in London. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, / Mrs. Wade, 346A King's Road, Chelsea, London, S.W.3. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1160 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Oct 18th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd028 Letter Ulster, Devon English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd028 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd028_3.jpg LHL Archive 18th October I960. Dear C.K. Thank you very much for sending me Jonsen. I am looking forward very much to reading it. I will write to you later. Hope you have settled down in your fabulous shack! I had a nice letter from Margot. I would like to call and see her some time when I am in London. After your visit, on an impulse I wrote to St.John but have not had an answer from him. I fear he has taken umbrage about something or other - he is touchy. Anyhow, perhaps you will write to him some time and tell him you were over in your native Ulster. I feel he is very lonely now in Devon, and I would very much like to hear how he is. With best wishes, Ever C.K.Munro Esq., 2 The Rosary, South Heath, Great Missenden, Bucks. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1161 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Oct 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd029 Letter Profane, Establishment English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd029 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd029_3.jpg LHL Archive 21st October I960. Dear Victor: You have been on my conscience as I have not replied to your last very interesting letter. I have no excuse except that I have been very busy with one thing and another. It’s good to hear that you are enjoying yourself and doing all sorts of interesting work. I wish I could tell you that things here are taking a turn for the better and that we are leading this community back into sanity and sound thinking, but I fear that we are trailing behind and playing very safe indeed in all things, holy and profane. I have little gossip for you except that most of the ‘sound' staff have been switched to Clarence Street offices and I hear mingle with seedy linen ex-tycoons who lament the death of their industry, and with whom sound broadcasting producers feel a deep sympathy. Donnie Mason has returned from London in an imaginatively lit-up frame of mind. He is in Clarence Street, much to his chagrin, also Sam Bell, John Body and Sam Denton and Uncle Tom Cobley and all... The Talks Department, which as you know is part of the establishment is still with the Establishment on a day to day basis. But any day the axe may fall and my feet will roll along Bedford Street. Headless and witless and deliriously happy. To be serious: the kind of questions I want for the Common- wealth edition of "Your Questions" are the kind of questions which would interest listeners in Northern Ireland and also the country of which the questioner is residing. In other words, these Ulster people have had the advantage of a double social experience, that is, living in Northern Ireland and also living in a country with a com- pletely different social background; therefore they should be conscious of social questions through a double vision as it were. This may not be very clear, but I think you will get the general hang of what I mean. Again, questions should be crisp, controversial to the point, and up to the moment. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1162 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Dec 1st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd030 Letter Jimmy Young, The Mousetrap English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd030 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd030_3.jpg LHL Archive 1st December I960. Dear Victor: Your tapes and your letter arrived safely yesterday and I am replying almost immediately. I am most grateful to you for doing these recordings. At the moment, of course, I don't know which of the two good questions will be chosen, but if Doreen Alexander's one is chosen I will get in touch with her parents. It would be useful for me to have their address! I'm glad to know you are still enjoying life. You certainly are getting a great variety of experience both inside and outside of Radio, and that's all to the good for a young fresh-minded man (I have now put on the mantel of senile, if not senior, statesman of this disestablishment). I'm afraid that we are still mucking through in the way of life familiar to you. Nothing very exciting in the way of programmes. However, the 'loose-box' standard is well up to its glories of former years and the news is as untopical as ever. As you probably know, a lot of the producers haven been sent to Clarence Street which is now known as The Salt Mines. Sam Bell seems quite happy there but Ronnie feels as if the BBC have him half way out. The theatre here is flourishing with a Jimmy Young farce which looks like running as long as The Mouse Trap in London. But really the atmos- phere in Belfast is at' the moment very dull, and the only stories I have for you are personal anecdotes of people you know here - the usual small talk which is better related over a bottle of stout. Do you ever get a drink of that by the way - or do you confine yourself to exotic oriental wines and drugs? I have passed your news over to Diana who is doing all the hard work in connection with this Commonwealth edition of "Your Questions". It really seems a life time since we passed each other on the moving staircase at Piccadilly and then had a nice evening ending up in the pub with the Lancastrian folk. Outside it is a dull, grey, missling December afternoon. I long for some sunshine and bright colours. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1163 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1960 Dec 1st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd031 Letter Drama, Novel English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd031 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd031_3.jpg LHL Archive The news of your producing a play is excellent. I'm sure it as good. I will tell Ronnie, who is looking very seedy and behaving very neurotically, that you have entered the field of drama production and are eager to come home to do is job. This I know will be as good as the best tonic for him, and he will undoubtedly take a new lease of life. Just now his expectation of life seems to be about three weeks. The novel you are doing sounds most interesting. I hope there's a lot of oriental erroticism in it. Why not write a Lady Chatter-li-po saga giving the truth behind the oriental smile. Your future would be made. Do give me the job of acting as your literary agent. I must stop as my desk is so full of memos, letters, manuscripts etc that I must clear it up else my head will bust. May I 'wish you and yours a very happy Christmas - Ever Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1164 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1961 Apr 18th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd032 Letter Gide, Mayo, Stendahl English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd032 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd032_3.jpg LHL Archive 18th April 1961. Dear Tony: Thank you vary much for sending me First Person. It really is a posh production. I agree Americans can do this kind of thing well. I got your A Sweet Mouse-Trotting Cup copied and if I can insert it in any programme I will do so. I liked your photograph too - it reminds me' of young Gide (certainly not a father of ten!) I think it’s the dome. Do you know the work of a friend of mine called Bill Naughton? - your face reminds me a little of him - he’s an Irishman from Mayo whom MacGib on and Kee publishes. Get hold of his A Small Boy, if you can, and tell me what you think of it. Gorry you missed the broadcast but hope the fee has caught up with you, Roy McFadden and I send you our greetings. I liked the Stendhal Memories of a Tourist. He really was something, old Henri. Dec 14.7-65 Used Arts TXN 21.10-65 Some day I would like to do a recording with you when I'm on a visit to England. You must tell me the best way of getting to Anglesey from Belfast en route for London. A long chat into the tape recorder might be enjoyable. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Talks Producer, N.I.Region Anthony C.West Esq., Bryn Afon, Penmon, Beaumaris, Anglesey, N.Wales. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1165 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1961 Dec 6th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd033 Letter Humour, Tomelty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd033 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd033_3.jpg LHL Archive 6th December 1961. Dear Joe: Very interesting play, characters well delineated; good humour - nice dialogue. But your 'story-line' is weak. Let’sdiscuss it! Sorry I missed you on Monday afternoon. Ever (PASTOR JOHN) Joseph Tomelty Esq., St.Catherine's Stockman’s Lane, Belfast, 11 JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1166 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd034 Letter Storyline, Weak English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd034 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd034_3.jpg LHL Archive 6th December 1961. Dear Joe: Very interesting play, characters well delineated; good humour - nice dialogue. But your 'story-line' is weak. Let’sdiscuss it! Sorry I missed you on Monday afternoon. Ever Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1167 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1962 Jan 16th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd035 Letter Soldier, Sackville English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd035 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd035_3.jpg LHL Archive 16th January 1962. Dear Marian: Thank you very much for the galley proofs and the New Writers paper book. I think the New Writers volume is very good. Sorry I cannot say the same about Soldier For Hire. I think this is bogus Irishry at its worst. However, I have not yet finished the galley proofs and perhaps I will revise my opinion. But at the moment - half way through - I am certainly not impressed. How- ever, a rollicking piece of written-up material may well be successful as an adventure story. But not for the discriminating reader, alas! I regard it as a doped horse from the Calder stables. Ever (John Boyd) Talks Producer, N.I .Region Mrs.Marian Lobbenberg, c/o Messrs.John Calder Ltd., 17 Sackville Street, Piccadilly, London, W.I. JB/PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1168 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1962 Jan 16th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd036 Letter Belfast Telegraph, Questions English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd036 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd036_3.jpg LHL Archive THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION Head Office: Broadcasting House, London, W. i Broadcasting House, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast 2 TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAMS: BELFAST 27411 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN 16th January, 1962. I am glad to have the opportunity to testify on behalf of Mr. Tom Roberts, the Political Co respondent of the Belfast Telegraph. Mr. Roberts has, in my opinion, an expert know- ledge of the economic, political, and social position of Northern Ireland. He is a frequent member of the "Your Questions" programme which I produce in the Nor- thern Ireland Home Service, and he is chosen for this panel not only because of his abilities as a broadcaster and his personality, but also for his ability to discuss Northern Ireland subjects. Participation in this pro- gramme is an index that Mr, Roberts is an all-round authority on Northern Ireland affairs. If you should require any further information about Mr. Roberts' abilities I should be glad to furnish it. (John Boyd) Talks Producer BBC Northern Ireland Region Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1169 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1962 Jan 16th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd037 Letter Cheque, Vauxhall English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd037 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd037_3.jpg LHL Archive 16th January 1962. Dear Mrs.Frey: Thank you very much for your cheque which arrived on Saturday. Very prompt of you. I was very glad to help you. With best wishes, Tours sincerely, (JOHN DOYD) Mrs.Frey, 7 Vauxhall Park, BELFAST 9. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1170 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1963 Jan 17th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd038 Letter Finance, Frank O'Connor English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd038 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd038_3.jpg LHL Archive  17th January 1963. Dear Michael: About expenditure on National Monuments and Staff etc. in Northern Ireland. I have enquired about this and have been told that all your friend has to do is to consult the publica- tion The Northern Ireland Government Estimates on Expenditure to find out the estimated expenditure. This Information is on page 43 of the Ministry of Finance estimates for 1962/63. On page 20 salary scales for the staff are listed. On page XV (Roman numerals) you will find the Archaeologists' salaries. Now, to find out how much the Government actually spent, the thing to do is to look up the Appropriation Accounts of the Ministry of Finance (another Government publicationj. This normally comes out eighteen months after the estimates. These publications are freely available at the National Library and there should be no difficulty at all in getting the information. I hope you and Hallie have recovered from your very tiring time. It was very pleasant seeing you both and I am sure the programmes will turn out well. I listened to ’’Interior Voices” on the Third on Sunday night and thought the programme very effective. I hear it is to be repeated on February 4th. Frances is quite willing to send down the Markey painting you admired. .As it is very difficult to pack owing to its length - and it is only cardboard, Frances suggests we wait for a week or two in the hope that we may hear of some one going to Dublin who would be willing to take it. I hope this will do. Ever (John Boyd) Frank O'Connor Esq., 22 Court Flats, Wilton Place, DUBLIN JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1171 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1963 Oct 9th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd039 Letter Louis MacNeice English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd039 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd039_3.jpg LHL Archive 9th October 1963. Dear Jack: Thank you very much for Louis MacNeice's photograph. I shall get it enlarged. Many thanks indeed. I am glad you enjoyed last night. I think a good perfor- mance was given by all - always excepting the producer! Ever (John Boyd) John E.Sayers Esq., Belfast Telegraph, Royal Avenue, Belfast I. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1172 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1963 Oct 11th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd040 Letter Shy, Genius English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd040 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd040_3.jpg LHL Archive 11th October 1963. Belfast Telegraph, ir'.O. Box 25, Belfast I. Dear Sirs: Mr.John Boyd has asked me to acknowledge and thank you for your cheque for five guineas in payment of "The Shy Genius" which he received this morning* Yours faithfully, (Frances Jackson) Secretary to John Boyd Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1173 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1963 Oct 11th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd041 Letter Belfast Telegraph English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd041 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd041_3.jpg LHL Archive All claims and queries to be addressed to:— Accounts Dept. (Editorial and Illustrations), P.O. Box 25, Belfast 1, N. Ireland. BELFAST TELEGRAPH Proprietors H Telephone: 21242 Telegrams: baird, Belfast BELFAST TELEGRAPH NEWSPAPERS LTD. P.O. BOX 25, BELFAST 1, N. Ireland ....John Boydj.. .Esq^.,............... ....................................... ....Qrmea^... Avenue.,...3e]_L.as.t,2.. CORRESPONDENT’S ACCOUNT FOR......September.,.19 6.3. Date SUBJECT SCH. No. Lines Rate £ S. d. 7. The Shy Genius 5 .. 5 0 Expenses: Claims for Omissions and Expenses must be received not later than 20th of month following. i 5 5 0 Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1174 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1964 Apr 7th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd042 Letter W.H. Auden, Louis MacNeice English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd042 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd042_3.jpg LHL Archive 7th April 1964. Dear Mr.Montelth: Thank you very much for sending the Memorial Address by W.H.Auden on Louis MacNeice. As I went to London to hear this address I am most grate- ful to you for sending me this private publication. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Charles Monteith Esq., Director, Messrs.Faber & Faber Ltd., 24 Bussell Square, London, W.C.F. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1175 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1964 Apr 20th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd043 Letter Election, House of Commons English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd043 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd043_3.jpg LHL Archive 20th April 1964. Dear Alec: Thank you very much for sending me your Election Address. It seems to me admirable. Certainly your depth and breadth of experience should prove very valuable indeed in the House of Commons. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Talks Producer,N.I.Region Alec Greer Esq., Woodville, Lurgan, Co.Armagh. JB/PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1176 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1964 May 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd044 Letter Brian Friel English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd044 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd044_3.jpg LHL Archive 22nd May 1964. Dear Brian: Here is the little play I wanted you to see. Sorry I have not sent it before now. I wonder would you please send it back to me some time as it is the only copy I have. Hope to see you soon - Ever (John Boyd) Brian Friel Eeq., 13 Marlborough Street, DERRY. JB/PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1177 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1964 Aug 7th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd045 Letter Justice, Opportunity English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd045 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd045_3.jpg LHL Archive COPY/ As from: c/o Mrs. Johnstone, Sand End, Ballywalter. 7th Aug. 1964. Dear Leslie: Just to tell you that, as promised, I got in touch with the A.B.S: first through Sam Denton, and secondly, through Ronny Sim, who as you know is on the National Executive of the A.B.S. Both, I understand, have been in touch with you; and I gather from them that you will have to decide yourself whether or not the A.B.S. is to take up your case. As you know your colleagues have been very perturbed by it and so I hope that you will see that justice is done. As I'd only a brief opportunity of saying"good-bye" to you, may I add that I've appreciated very much the opportunity of working with you, and wish you all the best of good luck in what happens in the future. Yours sincerely, (JOHN BOYD) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1178 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1964 Nov 13th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd046 Letter Death, Ireland English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd046 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd046_3.jpg LHL Archive 13th November 1964. Dear Agnes: I was very shocked to learn of Tom's sudden death. I don't know what to say to you now except that your loss is irreparable. And so is Ireland's. I shall write to you again. This is only a brief note as I am rushing off to a doctor with a threat infection. Yours ever, (John Boyd) Mrs.Finnegan, 38 Wesley Hill, Birmingham, 29. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1179 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1965 Jun 14th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd047 Letter God, W.B. Yeats English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd047 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd047_3.jpg LHL Archive Reference JB/MM 14th June 1965. Dear Margaret, I should have sent you these photographs before now but omitted to do so. They got temporarily mislaid I fear. However, I have found them in a drawer and am hastening to rectify my lamentable omission. I do hope you will forgive me. I think they turned out quite well. I have had letters from John D. and I understand he is coming back to Ireland this summer. What Joan and his future plans will be God only knows - because I do not! I have an idea nevertheless that he will settle in Ireland because Ireland is a good country to settle in, he has plenty of friends here, and his writing market is mostly here. I will be delighted, of course, to have him around. I understand that Eve has become engaged to the young man whom I think she was nearly engaged to before - the Professor's son - but I am very vague about young men I do not know. I hope you are all well in your distant island. Anyhow please excuse this brief note as I am just back from a long trip to the West of Ireland doing programmes on the famous poet - W.B. Yeats - whose centenary it is. With very best wishes to you and your family, Yours sincerely, Mrs. Margaret Barwick, Judge's Residence, Bairiki, Tarawa, Gilbert and Ellice Island Colony, WEST PACIPIC OCEAN Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1180 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1965 Aug 16th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd048 Letter Michael McLaverty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd048 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd048_3.jpg LHL Archive 16th August 1965. Dear Michael: Thank you very much indeed. I shall treasure the autographed copy of The Brightening Day. It was very kind of you. I am just off on holiday and will read it with all the care it merits. I can’t think of a better book to take up to the County Dowm coast. Every good wish - Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Michael McLaverty Esq., 30 Deramore Drive, BELFAST, 9. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1181 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1965 Nov 29th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd049 Letter Belfast, Parker English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd049 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd049_3.jpg LHL Archive 29 November 1965. Dear Stewart: Glad to get your news. I am de- lighted, of course, to act as a referee on your behalf, and I very much hope that you will get the job. Yoy cer- tainly would be on excellent choice for it. Belfast has been very busy - or at least a few thousand people have been - coming and going to Festival activities. Probably some of your correspondents have given you all the news. Congratulations on your marriage! A very appropriately named wife! I am looking forward to meeting you both soon. When you return to Belfast do give me a ring and we could have lunch together. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Talks Producer,N.1.Region Stewart Parker Esn., 1200 Griffin Road, Clinton, NEW YORK. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:28 1182 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1966 Apr 14th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd050 Letter Friel, Doyle English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd050 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd050_4.jpg LHL Archive 28 Rosetta Avenue, BELFAST, 7. 14th April, 1966. The Editor, The Irish Times, Westmoreland Street, DUBLIN. Sir: Your review last Saturday of Brian Friel's The Gold in the Sea, though not unfavourable in tone, strikes me as distinctly odd in judgement. Your reviewer compares Mr.Friel's work to Lynn Doyle’s, a comparison which, I suggest, betrays an imperfect understanding of both writers. Doyle was, of course, an admirable craftsman, but his qualities are not those of Mr.Friel's. Miss Edna O'Brien and other distinguished short story writers have compared Mr.Friel’s art with that of Chekov: I suspect they know what they are talking about. Certainly Mr.Friel's best stories have 'an exceedingly complex charm, deriving from a literary art which is unquestionably purer, more essential, more lyrical, more concentrated than the novel.' The quotation is from Moravia, and It seems to me relevant to Mr.Friel's art. (John Boyd) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1183 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1966 Apr 29th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd051 Letter Hewitt, Beckett English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd051 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd051_1.jpg LHL Archive 29 April, 1966. Bear John: Thank you very much for the booklet - Coventry, It reads very smoothly indeed and is full of interest. I like your reference to Alderman John Hewitt in the 18th century. Also to the Lillibullery incident. And also to all the writers. We are here just embarked on a History of Belfast series under Beckett and Glasscock (Department of Geo- graphy at Queen's). This won't appear for at least a year but should make a useful contribution to our local history. The time I hope is near when you will be once again in your native city. Couldn't you give me warn- ing of your arrival? Ever (John Boyd) Talks Producer,N.I.Region John Hewitt Esq., 5 Postbridge Road, Styvechale, Coventry. JB/PJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1184 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1966 Jun 9th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd052 Letter Producer English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd052 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd052_1.jpg LHL Archive 9th June 1966 Deer John, Sorry I missed you. Thank you for letting me see the correspondence. Very interesting. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Talks Producer, N.I. Region J.D. Stewart, Esq., 96, Stranmillis Road, Belfast 9. DC Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1185 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1966 Aug 1st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd053 Letter Children, Friel English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd053 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd053_1.jpg LHL Archive 1st August 1966. Dear Brian: I telephoned you this morning, got your father, talked to him, told him I wanted to see you on Thursday, 4th August, 2.45 p.m., as I have arranged a playback of Cass from 3.0-4.30 p.m. Sorry I hadn't time to have a chat with you on Friday, everybody was running round in circles. I heard Cass and think it splendid - anyhow we will have a chat after the playback. I have the story finished for you but propose keeping it for Thursday. Hope you had a good holiday at K. I will give you our saga on Thursday. Why not bring Anne and the children up? I'm sure she would like to hear the playback: Elizabeth could mind the family for the couple of hours. How say you? Ever (John Boyd) Talks Producer,N.I.Region Brian Friel Esq., 13 Marlborough Park, DERRY CITY. (TO AWAIT ARRIVAL) FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1186 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1966 Aug 8th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd054 Letter Friel, Threshold English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd054 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd054_1.jpg LHL Archive 8 August 1966. Dear Mary: Brian Friel has doubtless got in touch with you and told you that I pro- mised to forward to you this short story "The Airgun" for Threshold. I hope it is suitable. I am sorry about the typing. If I had more time I would have made still another draft, but I tend to correct and correct ad infinitum. With best wishes. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Mrs. O’Malley, 11 Derryvolgie Avenue, BELFAST 9 JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1187 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1966 Nov 11th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd055 Letter Festival, Fitzwilliam English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd055 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd055_1.jpg LHL Archive 11 November 1966. Deer Michael: I enclose £1 in cash for my Annual Membership to the Festival Society. I telephoned your secre- tary today and she is sending on the ticket. With best wishes Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Talks Producer,N.I .Region Michael Emmerson Esq., Festivall 66 Office, 40 Fitzwilliam Street, BELFAST 9 JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1188 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1967 Mar 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd056 Letter Bell, Threshold English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd056 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd056_1.jpg LHL Archive John Boyd 203* 7 Bedford Street 137 THRESHOLD ANTHOLOGY 21 st March 1967 H.A.N.I. I have been asked, in conjuction with Mr. Bell, to compile an anthology of Ulster writing 1945-1967 for the next edition of "Threshold". I should be glad to have permission. (John Boyd) DC Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1189 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1967 Aug 30th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd057 Letter Stewart, Blackout English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd057 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd057_1.jpg LHL Archive 30th August 1967 Dear Mrs. Parker, I expect Stewart has told you that I had a mental blackout. I am completely contrite and ashamed of it. All I can offer you is my apologies. When I realised what I had done, I had an awful feeling of horror and of increa sing age! With boot wishes to you both. (John Boyd) Mrs. S. Parker, Plat 3, 92 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast, 9. DC Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1190 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1967 Aug 30th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd058 Letter Lovers, Hewitt English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd058 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd058_1.jpg LHL Archive 30th August 1367 Dear Brian, A jinx is on you and me. I did want to see you, of course, but I am afraid contact was not made. I rang Muff yesterday but got no reply. However, I will try again. Sean was good enough to tell me that 'Philadelphia' opens in London. Hope all goes well. Saw 'Lovers': great pleasure but was unfortunately not sober having been to a dinner narty in Dublin beforehand. Met Hewitt at gate, who was enthusiastic. He enjoyed 1) more than 2), but did get some laughter out of 2). Would like to discuss sometime before we are both too old and crabbity. Love to Ann and the family. I am messing around here with old television and a lot of other stuff. I want a whine over your shouler some day soon. (John Boyd) Brian Friel, Esq., Ardmore, Muff, Lifford, Co. Donegal. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1191 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1968 Nov 19th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd059 Letter Anecdotage, Scandanavian English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd059 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd059_1.jpg LHL Archive 19 November 1968 Dear Menna: In haste- because of the Festival. I have just forwarded your inscribed copy of STRIKE FOR A KINGDOM to Wales. An inscribed first edition of a first book by you Is very valuable and I am asking for its return. Does this seem mean? I heard William Plomer lecture yesterday. Drippy anecdotage. Saw a Queen’s production of a Scandinavian dramatist called Holberg - like a rugby scrum. I will give you all my news soon Blessings (John Boyd) Mrs.Gallie, 38 parkside, CAMBRIDGE JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1192 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1968 Nov 19th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd060 Letter Novel, Cardiff English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd060 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd060_1.jpg LHL Archive 19 November 1968 Dear Miss Davies: I enclose a copy of Menna Gallie's STRIKE FOR A KINGDOM. As you see it is an inscribed copy so perhaps you would kinely return it to me when you hove read it. I think it is a most interesting novel. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Talks Producer,N.I.Region Miss Lorraine Davie's Drama Department BBC Llandass , Cardiff. WALES. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1193 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1968 Nov 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd061 Letter Programme English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd061 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd061_1.jpg LHL Archive 21 November, 1968 Dear St.John: I Saw "Boyd's Shop" last night in the Grove Theatre. It got a rousing reception and played as fresh as paint. I enclose a programme to let you see who was playing. I enjoyed visiting you some weeks ago and hope you are keeping well. With best wishes, Ever (JOHN BOYD) Dr .St.John Ervine, Fitzhall Nursing Home, Iping, Midhurst, Sussex. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1194 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1969 Sep 26th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd062 Letter Dublin, Viennise English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd062 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd062_1.jpg LHL Archive 26 September 1969 Dear Waldo: Ja'’t to say that if you have a free evening next week and felt like a visit to Dublin I would be very glad indeed to get a seat or seats for you in the Gaiety. Frances Jackson knows my telephone number in Dublin. I may warn you, however, that the play would not take your mind off your work! If your mind is like mine at the moment you would rather see a play called "Vienese Nights" plus a thousand dancing girls! Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Waldo Maguire Esq., BH Belfast. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1195 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1970 Jun 17th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd063 Letter Novel, Cambridge English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd063 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd063_1.jpg LHL Archive 17 Jun 1970 Dear Menna: Your novel arrived safelu I am starting it at once. Have already read 30 pages. I think it very good. Ever (John Boyd) Mrs. Menna Gallie 38 Parkside Cambridge England. JB/CJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1196 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1970 Jun 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd064 Letter Friel, Mournes English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd064 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd064_1.jpg LHL Archive 22nd June, 1970. Mrs. Mennna Gallie, 38 Parkside, CAMBRIDGE. Dear Menna, I return your proofs which I read during a fairly hectic weekend - ranging from a visit to Donegal to make a recording with Brian Friel to a visit to the Mournes with three lively Africans! Any comments must be treated with proper disrespect - as usual. I don't think you have made any major, or indeed minor howlers. I have enclosed a lot of tiny textual minutiae jotted these down without a dictionary to hand, and sometimes late at night. So double check them. Hope you can make out my writing. Now for the novel itself. I. think the descriptive writing is brilliant. Also all the women characters. You deal less successfully with men. Caroline and Una are fine creations. Sarah too - except I think she should think more often of her dead husband. Both the professor and the journalist are incompletely realised, particularly the journalist. Towards the end the material seems to swamp you. The Welsh lad added a complication which distressed me. I am a great one for keeping to a fairly straight story line. This of course, may be the dramatic discipline that binds me down. I was very worried indeed by the melodramatic note towards the end. Cried outs "God, restraint, restraint" - you galloped over bogland and mountainside like Lochinvar or somebody. I wanted to say "Calmez-vous"! Ther you are. I hope I get a letter in return! Yours sincerely, JOHN BOYD Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1197 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1970 Sep 25th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd065 Letter Arts Council English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd065 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd065_1.jpg LHL Archive 25 September 1970 Dear Paul: Here is the photograph - as requested. I should be glad to see - if possible- a copy of the article. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Paul Clarke Esq., Arts Council, Bedford House. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1198 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1971 Sep 19th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd066 Letter Friel, Belfast, Canada English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd066 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd066_1.jpg LHL Archive 19 September 1971 Dear Desmond: Sorry for the delay in commenting on the Friel chapters. I have two excuses: the first is the IRA (presum- ably) bombed us out of Bedford Street rather effectively on the day before I started on three weeks leave which I am now enjoying! In Belfast!! I have read the chapters. They seem to me first class. I have got from them many insights into Brian's plays and I thought I knew the plays reasonably well. I am going to re-read the chapters and I shall write to you again. Brian is doing a 'Self Portrait* pro- gramme for me which may be very interest- ing indeed. I will write to you again when I get my wits gathered. With best wishes to Joy and to all my friends in York. Ever (John Boyd) Professor D.Maxwell, 79 Royal Orchard Boulevard, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1199 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1972 Mar 23rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd067 Letter Play, Belfast English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd067 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd067_1.jpg LHL Archive 23 March 1972 Dear George: Thank you very much for sending me the novel. I have read it with great pleasure - your best since ROSE FORBES. Indeed I prefer it to ROSE. As you say it should be re-read and I have done exactly that. It is at least a decade before its time, but I hope you have it published here. I enjoyed our session very much in- deed. I am now in the midst of revising a play for production in May. At the moment I am very tired of it - and of the whole atmosphere in Belfast. With best wishes, Ever (John Boyd) George Buchanan Esq., 27 Ashley Gardens, London, S.W.I. JB/FJ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1200 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1972 Apr 25th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd068 Letter Farm, London English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd068 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd068_1.jpg LHL Archive 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7. 25 April, 1972 Dear John: I hope you got my letter of accept- ance . As you probably noticed, I ham- mered it out. I am trying to write this play, but naturally it is taking a different course. The main character, who is called Omar (!) should play humorously and finally he returns to the boarding house and settles down there in the hope that he will marry the lady of the house and make his manual dexterity even more useful! The Farm is in rehearsal here and going very well indeed. I will speak to the management about getting in touch with you about terms. I wonder would you tell me if there is anything else I have to do about this tele- vision play. I am doing my best but it is difficult. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) John Bassett Esq. Bryan Drew Limited, 81 Shatesbury Avenu, LONDON, W1V 8DQ Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1201 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1972 Oct 27th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd069 Letter Assassin, Texas English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd069 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd069_1.jpg LHL Archive 28 Rosetta Avenue Belfast 7, Northern Ireland. 27th October 1972 Bear Professor Mangum, I hope you got my letter-card. here is the script of "The flats". As I told you this is probably the play David Marcus had in mind. Certainly It is one of my plays which is central to ’the troubles': it could be argued, however, that "The Assassin" is equally so. "The Assassin” may be better for your purposes as it includes a large number of students in the cast. So, if part; of the purpose of producing the play is to encourage participation of students as actors "The Assassin" might well be the play - in which case I will forward a copy of it, if you let me knew. In the meantime I should be glad to have your comments on "The Flats". If you want any further information i‘ll be glad to let you have it for instance, you may like to see the press comment, etc. With best wishes, Yours sincerely. Professor Edward Magnum, Chairman, Dept, of Fine & Performing Arts, St.Edwards University, Austin, Texas 78704 (John Boyd) Enc. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1202 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1973 Mar 28th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd070 Letter Cheque English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd070 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd070_1.jpg LHL Archive 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7 29th Marrch 1973 Dear Chris, I enclose a cheque for Two-Hundred-and- Fifty rounds. Perhaps you'd kindly acknowledge it arrived ok. £200.00 is my own money; £50.00 from Bill Haughton, the writer; and I hope to get another £50.00 by next week. How are you faring? With your own £50.00 and Brian Friels £100.00 - we're up to the £400.00 in cash. Drop me a line to tell me about rehearsal dates and times; cast; and Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1203 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1973 Mar 28th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd071 Letter Rhythm English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd071 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd071_1.jpg LHL Archive opening. I do hope all goes well. Don't 'obey' the punctuation - I always find each actor has a different rythmn. Ever, John Boyd P.S.hope 5 scripts arrivem psoted yesterday. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1204 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1973 Mar 29th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd072 Letter Dublin English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd072 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd072_1.jpg LHL Archive 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7 29th Marrch 1973 Dear Chris, I enclose a cheque for Two-Hundred-and- Fifty rounds. Perhaps you'd kindly acknowledge it arrived ok. £200.00 is my own money; £50.00 from Bill Haughton, the writer; and I hope to get another £50.00 by next week. How are you faring? With your own £50.00 and Brian Friels £100.00 - we're up to the £400.00 in cash. Drop me a line to tell me about rehearsal dates and times; cast; and opening. I do hope all goes well. Don't 'obey' the punctuation - I always find each actor has a different rythmn. Ever, John Boyd P.S.hope 5 scripts arrivem psoted yesterday. Chris O'Neill, 9 Cunningham Drive, Dalkey, Dublin, Ireland. Enc. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1205 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1973 Jun 25th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd073 Letter Belfast, Derry, Dublin, Limerick English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd073 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd073_1.jpg LHL Archive From: John Boyd, 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7, horchern Ireland 25th June 1973 1 understanf from Mrs. Fidelma Donnelly that you were in Dublin recently and saw my play 'The Flats' at the Eblana theatre. Mrs, Donnelly told me that you would be interested in having it translated into French, If this is so, I should be very pleased indeed. Your name has been very familiar to me for many years - indeed ever since Transition days, I am of course a student of my great countryman, James Joyce. I hope you enjoyed 'The Flats' it is a play which has had a remarkable reception in Belfast, Derry, and Dublin, and it is being presented at the Limerick festival in mid- August. I am very grateful to you for your interest, and if you would like me to forward a script I shall do so. As a matter of fact I was planning to visir paris in early September, and should be very glad to have an opportunity of meeting you. Yours sincerely, Mme. Jolas, 106 Bis Rue de Rennes, Paris 5ieme. France. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:36 1206 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Jan 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd074 Letter Brian Friel, Joseph Tomelty, Louis MacNeice English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd074 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd074_1.jpg LHL Archive 22nd January 1976 Professor John Braidwood, Department of English, The Queen’s University, Belfast 9. Dear John, I don’t really tnink I'm the best person to help with your citation for Harold Goldblatt, but I'll do what I can. I've never been a close personal friend of his, though I've known him professionally for many years. He was one of the three founders of the Ulster Group Theatre. Rhe other two being James Mageean (BBC Drama producer) and Robert McCandless (one of Ulster's outstanding actors). H.G. was not only an administrator, he was also a director (to use the modern term for producer) and a leading actor. Under his aegis the Group was extremely successful: premieres by dramatists such as George Shields, St.John Ervine, Brian Friel, Joseph Tomelty, Louis MacNeice, Michael J. Murphy, Patricia Connor, and many other Ulster dramatists were given. H. G. also brought together a professional team of actors unique in the history of Ulster drama. These include Colin Blakley (now with the National Theatre in London), Stephen Boyd (the holywood 'star'), Elizabeth Begley, Margaret D'Arcy, Robert McCandless, J. G. Devlin, Joseph Tomelty, and many others. H.G. himself is a distinguished and versatile actor who has had success in the theatre, in radio, on television, and in films. As a stage actor he has appeared all over Ireland and England (including the West End of London); he has acted in thousands of radio programmes; appeared over a hundred times in television; and has had parts in over forty films, working in Ireland, England, Holland, France, Morocco, and Yugo-Slavia. H.G. is also very interested in the Amateur Theatre movement, having acted as adjudicator in festivals throughout Ireland. He has close links with Queen's. Professor H. 0. Meredith encouraged him to found the Group Theatre , and Sir Tyrone Guthrie was not only a close friend but also a colleague (Sir Tyrone produced plays for H.G. ana also directed him in poetry and short story readings). - 1 - Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1207 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Jan 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd075 Letter Sam Hanna Bell English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd075 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd075_1.jpg LHL Archive Professor John Braidwood contd - 2 - 22.1.76 H. G. is an all-round man of the theatre - founder, administrator, director actor. In addition he has greatly encouraged young dramatists whose work has shown promise; he has also given work and advancement to young actors. In all, his contribution to drama both locally and further afirld, has seen significant. If you require a few dates (and more detail) I suggest you consult The Ulster Theatre by Sam Hanna Bell. It is in Queen's library. Someone like J. J. Campbell probably knows a great aeai mo.e about H.G. than I do. Or Ronald Mason, head of programmes in the BBC. Hope the above is of some help. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John doya) Professor John Braidvood, Department of English, The Queen's University, Belfast 9 Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1208 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Feb 4th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd076 Letter Paris, Germany English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd076 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd076_1.jpg LHL Archive Nortnern Ireland 4th February 1976 Dear Mr. Goldbaum, I understand from Mr. Wolfgang Nitsch, of Stadtische Duhnen Osnabruck, there has been a misunderstanding about my visit and lecture, and that they are unable to pay my expenses, However, I have explained to Mr. Nitsch that my plans are too far advanced to alter them, and that I shall go ahead and see the premiere of The Flats, and also give the lecture, preferably for an honorarium. Before going to Osnabruck I plan to spend a week in Paris from the 14th March, If you want to contact me my Paris address is C/o, Hotel Saint-Paul, 43 Rue Monsieur-le-Prince, Paris 6, France, I have told Mr, Nitsch that I forwarded to you a copy of my lecture for possible translation. I hope you received this lecture safely. I am giving a lecture at the Sorbonne on my work at the request of a Professor there. I shall be very glad to hear your news. I hope all is well, Vours sincerely, (John Boyd) Peter Goldbaum, Petor Goldbaum Produktion, 8 Munchen-Allach, Riezleweg 4, MUNICH, W. Germany Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1209 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Jun 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd077 Letter Anthology English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd077 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd077_1.jpg LHL Archive As from 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7 21st June 1976 Dear Jimmy, Sorry for the delay in sending you this note to affirm that you have my permission to publish ny poem Visit to a School in the anthology which you mentioned you have in hand. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Hr. James Gracey, Blackstaff Press Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1210 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Jun 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd078 Letter Threshold English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd078 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd078_1.jpg LHL Archive POSTAGE STAMPS ' THRESHOLD' No.27 AGENTS (invoices only, letter mail) 9 61/2d. 5 10p PRIVATE PERSONALs (UO & EIRE) ' LOVAL' 18 @ 18 1/2p Not to be posted yet PRIVATE PERSONS (FOREIGN) 15 & 43p UNIVERSITIES, SCHOOLS, Institutions etc. LOCAL 13 @ 18 1/2p Not to be posted yet Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1211 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Aug 10th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd079 Letter Rehearsals, Lyric English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd079 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd079_1.jpg LHL Archive Please reply to: John Boyd, 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7, N. Ireland 10th August 1976 Peter Goldbaum, Peter Goldbaum Produktion, 8 Munchen-Allach, Riezler-Weg 4, Munich, W.GERMANY Dear- Mr. Goldbaum, I was wondering how your arrangements for touring The Flats are proceeding? Wolfgang Nitsch, the Director at Osnabruck, kindly sent me some reviews. They seem to be favourable, especially the one of Die Deutsche Buhne. I enjoyed my short stay in Osnabruck, saw some rehearsals, gave a lecture at the Hochschule, but unfortunately - due to a flu epidemic - missed the actual performance. however, I understand the play got a very good reception. Sorry we were unable to meet in Paris , but perhaps we may meet sometime soon. In the meantime, I would be most grateful to hear your news. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1212 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1976 Aug 10th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd080 Letter Lynch, Threshold English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd080 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd080_1.jpg LHL Archive 10th August 1976 Dear Michael, Mrs O’Malley has passed me your letter of 22nd June about, Martin Lynch. As I deal with most of the aspiring playwrights I would certainly be glad to meet him. Perhaps you would ask him to phone the lyric and arrange a meeting. I have not got his address, else I would get in touch. I have at last got all the contributions for Threshold, except Ken Jamison's. He kindly agreed a week or so ago to contribute an article on 'Illustrators of the Sixties*. I think this is going to be a good number. We were lucky to get Knox Cunningham’s contribution before his death. With best wishes, Yours, (John Boyd) LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Michael Longley, hsq., Arts Council of Northern Ireland, 181a Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 9DU Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1213 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Aug 23rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd081 Letter Blackstaff, Director English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd081 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd081_1.jpg LHL Archive 23rd August 1977 Edmund A. Vitale, Irish Arts Center, New. Y ork, USA Dear M r. Vitale, I understand Mr. James Gracey of Blackstaff Press, who published The Flats, telephoned to tell me that The Irish Arts Center wishes to do another production of the play. I was not in when he called and I have not yet seen the letter which, I understand, is dated 11th August, and which Mr. Gracey has only now forwarded to me (it has not yet arrived!). I am therefore getting in touch with you as soon as I possibly could, in order that you may communicate directly with me. I am very pleased that the Center is doing another production of The Flats, and I am sure we can reach a satisfactory arrangement. I should he glad to Know who is directing, and other derails. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Hon. Director & Literary Advisor THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1214 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Dec 6th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd082 Letter O'Casey, German English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd082 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd082_1.jpg LHL Archive COPY As from 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7 6th September 1977 M. Dumay, 14 Rue de Gaulle, 21240 Talant, Prance, Dear M. Dumay, My friend Eileen O'Casey kindly gave me your name when I was enquiring about a French translator for one of my plays called THE FLATS. This play has had great success throughout Ireland, has also had a successful production in Germany, and is going on at a New York off-off-Broadway theatre for the 2nd time this Autumn. Altogether it has proved to be very popular play, and has been compared to O'Casey - hence Eileen O'Casey's interest in my work. When I was lecturing at the Sorbonne about a year ago a Paris group were interested in a French production, and I began to think about a French translation. If you would be interested I would send you a copy of the play (it has been published and gone into two editions), and T would also send you some of the notices from Irish, American, and German newspapers. I understand from Eileen O'Casey that you have already translated FIGURE IN THE NIGHT and some of Sean's later plays. I don't think, therefore, that you would find my idiom particularly difficult. I would of course give you every co-operation. I am familiar enough with French, and visit Paris from time to time, but I thinght it best to write to you in English. Yours sincerely, JOHN BOYD (signed) (Copy of original letter transcribed from shorthand, due to loss of copy) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1215 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Dec 8th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd083 Letter O'Casey, Paris English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd083 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd083_1.jpg LHL Archive 8th September 1977 Monsieur E.J.Dumay, Rue de Gaulle, 21240 Talant, France. Dear M. Dumay, My friend Eileen O’Casey kindly gave me your name when I was enquiring about a French translator for one of my plays called THE FLATS. This play had had great success throughout Ireland, has also had a successful production in Germany, and is going on at an off-off Broadway theatre for the second time this autumn. Altogether it has proved to be a very popular play, and has been compared to O’Casey - hence Eileen O’Casey’s interest in my work. About a year ago when I was lecturing at the Sorbonne a Paris group were interested in a French production, and I began to think about a French translation. If you would be interested I would send you a copy of the play (it has been published and gone into two editions), and I would also send you some of the notices from Irish, American and German newspapers. I understand from Eileen O’Casey that you have already translated Figure in the Night and some of Sean’s later plays. I don’t think, therefore, that you would find my idiom particularly difficult. I should of course give you every co-operation. I am familiareenough with French, and visit Paris from time to time, but I thought it best to write to you in English. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Literary Advisor, THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1216 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Dec 7th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd084 Letter Plough English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd084 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd084_1.jpg LHL Archive 7th September 1977 Dear Eileen, Thank you very much for your help. You have gone to a lot of trouble, and I am most grateful, I am writing to M. Dumay, and hope he will be willing to co-operate. As usual I am very busy, I see that my friend Bill Bryden is producing 'Plough' in the National Theatre, and - as you probably know - 'Plough' is being produced at The Lyric this November, So, as the kids here say 'O'Casey Rules'! I expect they say it in Dublin too. If they don't, it seems the right catchword to start it off with! With all best wishes, Mrs, Eileen O'Casey, 13 Mulgrave Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, Co, Dublin Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1217 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Dec 6th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd085 Letter Play, Dublin English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd085 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd085_1.jpg LHL Archive  Cor. With Eileen O'Casey re french Translations 6th December 1977 Dear Eileen, I should have- written to you before this, but I have been finishing a new play; my wife has been in hospital for a minor operation and 1 have been visiting her every day and evening, air. attending hospital myself for eye trouble - not serious. First I want to thankk you for putting me in touch with Emile Dumay, who has just completed a translation of The Flats and seems very pleased with it. I have not of course read it yet. However, a couple of french theatres are already interested in it. It was very kind indeed of you to mention my name to . Dumay. My trouble about marketing my play, is that I have not an Agent, and it's time that I got one. The other thing I wanted to tell you was that 'The Plough' is doing tremedous business at The lyric. The theatre is packed and the audiences art most enthusiastic. I understand there was an article in 'The Listener' comparing the lyric production with the National Theatre(London) production, but I haven't read it yet. Probabiy you have. 'Juno' also got an excellent reception during its short visit here. So, all in all, it has been an o'Casey time in Belfast. I hope we can meet on my next visit to Dublin, and that you will have a meal with me somewhere; the fact is I have been so busy here I have hardly got beyond the suburbs of belfast. when I am tempted to go on a trip, 1 remember Sean's words 'Get on with the bloody play'! With many thanks again, and very best wishes for Christmas to your self - and all the family. Yours ever, Mrs.Eileen O'Casey, 15 Mulgrave Terrace, Dunlaoghaire, C.O. Dubin. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1218 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Dec 10th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd086 Letter O'Malley, Lyric English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd086 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd086_1.jpg LHL Archive 28 Rosetta Avenue Belfast 7, Northern Ireland 10th December 1977 To: The Editor, 'The Listener' BBC Publications, 35 Marylebone High Street, London WIM 4AA For favour of publication Sir, In your issue of 24th November I read with interest - and appreciation Mr. Elsom's article on the Belfast Festival. As a dramatist and ex BBC producer in Northern Ireland for twenty-five years, and as honorary director and literary advisor of the Lyric Theatre, I should likce to comment on two sentences with reference to this theatre. The Lyric theatre (I quote Mr. Elsom) 'has the reputation in some quarters of being orientated towards the Republicans'. 'In some quarters' seems unnecessarily vague. Could Mr. Elsom be more explicit? If he could, I should be most grateful. Again, Mary O'Malley is referred to as 'sometimes regarded as Belfast's Lilian Baylis and sometimes as a confounded nuisance'. As an Irish writer I should prefer to have Mary O'Malley compared with Lady Gregory; but this comparison is fair enough, What is not fair, however, is the 'confounded nuisance'. Does the petulance spring from the same anonymous 'quarters' whose political ineptitude is more than equalled by their artistic turpitude? Once more I seek illumination. However, there should now, at last, be great rejoicing in these 'quarters' that so misrepresent Mary O'Malley's achievement. After a quarter of a century of strenuously idealistic and successful artistic activity in Belfast she has now left this city; and her monument is the Lyric theatre whose achievement, particularly in the last decade, speaks for itself. As for Mary O'Malley herself, may I adapt a sentence of Sam Beckett: 'Adieu Mary, to whom we owe so much, share so much, and care so much'. The 'quarters' which will approve of this judgment are all those who have benefited from the work of the Lyric Theatre. Yours etc. (John Boyd) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1219 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 Jan 12th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd087 Letter Agreement, Theatres English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd087 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd087_1.jpg LHL Archive 12th January 1978 Dear Eileen, Here is the information you kindly asked for in connection with M.Dumay, translator of my play The flats. Since September we have been exchanging letters about the text of the play etc., and on the 24th December 1977 M.Dumay's translation arrived with me. I read it and was very pleased witn it, and wrote to tell him so, enclosing a letter* from the Bristish Society of Authors giving their suggestions as to the financial arrangement between author and translator. This arrangement was that the royalties were to be shared 50/50, and likewise expenses. I had already told him that I was willing to pay the highest rate for a first-class translator, and need him to find out from the equivalent french body what their suggestion was. Mr.Dumay, in his reply of 3rd January, made no reference to the Bristish Society of actors' suggested agreement; instead he quoted the French Society of Literary Translations recommendations. I quote:- 'The French Society of Literary consider that the minimum to which a translator is entitled for a page the size of mine is 30 francs. So the lump sum for my 155 pages would amount to at least 4,650 francs, that is, at the present exchange rate £520. Would you agree to this? As for the expenses incurred they amount to: typing 10 f. per page 1550f. = £173. photocopied 650f. = $72.7 postage 69f = £7.7 I leave it to you to decide on what term my work as your 'agent' will be paid, *and how much of my expenses will be refunded to me ......' He also enclosed a hand-writtem form of contract of his own, which he thought would be suitable as incorporating the French Literary Society's suggestions. All this means that I would have to pay M.Dumay £773.4 plus an Agent's fee, to be agreed(This agent't fee is because neither of us has and agent, and M.Dumay has written to 26 theatres, 6 of which expressed interest and were forwarded copies of his translation. On top of all this he would require 50% of the author's royalties(The British Societ of Authors had recommended the figure of - 1 - * I overlooked this sentence and therefore should not have included all the expenses int the estimate(£773.4) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1220 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 Jan 12th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd088 Letter Royalties, Authors English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd088 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd088_1.jpg LHL Archive cont. - 2 Mrs. Eileen O'Casey a 50/50 royalties basis and a share of expenses - but this figure, according to the British Society of Authors whom I telephoned in great anxiety, say is absolutely ridiculous. Thye suggested that perhaps a £520. would be in lieu of all royalties and expenses! As i told you by telephone I am pleased with M.Dumay's translation, and I am very anxious to play fair with him, but it seems to me ludicrus that I would be ou money for a French production of my play unless it was a long running smah hit in Paris and elsewhere. Equally of course I do not wish to antagonize M.Dumay as I think he is probably acting in good faith - having admitted that the whole arrangements of translation were 'virgin soil to him'. I am most grateful to you for your help. Please thank John O'Riordan too. Yours Ever P.S. The Society of Authors is looking into the whole business for me and have promised to write to me next week. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1221 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 May 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd089 Letter Speranza, Oscar English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd089 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd089_1.jpg LHL Archive 28 ROsetta Avenue Belfast 7 24 May 1978. Dear Tom,Thank you very much for your letter of the 23 May which I’ve just received. First,I'm most grateful to you for taking an interest in this play. May I give you my comments on yours as best I can? One always thinks one's baby is perfect. It never is of course: and the more defects it has the more strenuously one defends it! I'm glad you think the play is highly actable and stageworthy. THat to me is a lot. And I’m glad you think it succeeds as a narative of the Wilde story: and at that level. That may not be enough: but it's enough to go on with. THe title SPSRANZA'S BOY shouldnt be given too much weight ; ** it is an effort to get away from calling it OSCAR or something like that. (In fact Brian F-without reading the play-supplied the title gratis! Possibly I shouldnt have accepted it and if it is really misleading ** *********** then I'll have to think again.) ABOUT SPERANZA. I was conscious of her formidable presence becoming less and less: I think that's the way it was with her son and herself. She SENSED the way he was going after ((and at) Oxford. Hence her eagerness to get him emotionally off her hands...and into Constance's arms. Speranza gave him to Constance: and Oscar,being Speranza’s boy,obeyed his mother. Then Constance took over-but only for a short while. Then Bosie and the rest.... I couldnt DO a scene between Speranza and Oscar because I dont think there ever was one: and I know I'd make a mess of it. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1222 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 May 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd090 Letter Rehearsal, Verdict English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd090 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd090_1.jpg LHL Archive 2 0ld Sir William had quite an influence on Oscar; a deep influence which I’d hoped I’d suggested. Perhaps I’ve somehow failed. But I wanted to have both parents in some dark genetic way responsible for the mixed-up man that Oscar became. Yes,the final third is a kit rushed I suppose. I thought that the prison yard scene might slow down the tempo a bit. The trouble of course is the usual one of selection-the most significant scenes HAVE to go in....And here God knows how it works-or fails to work. Only in rehearsal can one find out. Am glad that oul' rascal Harris comes scrossacross. I like him! The truth is Oscar deceived himself for a long long time: it took years for him to come ’out’ (AS THEY SAY THESE DAYS). We dont of course know as much about him as we think; but I only hope I havent got him too wrong. The polished exterior(as you call it) only cracked towards the end; the truth xxx came only then-not with Speranza. Perhaps I’m rationalizing the whole bloody thing now. Anyway you’ve made me think about the play again. (It has been out of my mind now for some months) Again many thanks. I know only too well how hard it is to comment on another's work. If the final verdict is 'agin' I'll still be grateful. In any case I'll be glad to know what the response will be. The sooner the better. With best wishes. John P.T.O Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1223 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 May 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd091 Letter Constance English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd091 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd091_1.jpg LHL Archive P.S. Constance is an enigma: stupid in many ways, a little of a bore; and be innocent ??? Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1224 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 May 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd092 Letter Oxford English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd092 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd092_1.jpg LHL Archive 24 May 1978. Dear Tom,Thank you very much for your letter of the 23 May which I’ve just received. First,I'm most grateful to you for taking an interest in this play. May I give you my comments on yours as best I can? One always thinks one's baby is perfect. It never is of course: and the more defects it has the more strenuously one defends it! I'm glad you think the play is highly actable and stageworthy. THat to me is a lot. And I’m glad you think it succeeds as a narative of the Wilde story: and at that level. That may not be enough: but it's enough to go on with. THe title SPSRANZA'S BOY shouldnt be given too much weight ; ** it is an effort to get away from calling it OSCAR or something like that. (In fact Brian F-without reading the play-supplied the title gratis! Possibly I shouldnt have accepted it and if it is really misleading ** *********** then I'll have to think again.) ABOUT SPERANZA. I was conscious of her formidable presence becoming less and less: I think that's the way it was with her son and herself. She SENSED the way he was going after ((and at) Oxford. Hence her eagerness to get him emotionally off her hands...and into Constance's arms. Speranza gave him to Constance: and Oscar,being Speranza’s boy,obeyed his mother. Then Constance took over-but only for a short while. Then Bosie and the rest.... I couldnt DO a scene between Speranza and Oscar because I dont think there ever was one: and I know I'd make a mess of it. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1225 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 May 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd093 Letter Scenes, Verdict English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd093 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd093_1.jpg LHL Archive 2 0ld Sir William had quite an influence on Oscar; a deep influence which I’d hoped I’d suggested. Perhaps I’ve somehow failed. But I wanted to have both parents in some dark genetic way responsible for the mixed-up man that Oscar became. Yes,the final third is a kit rushed I suppose. I thought that the prison yard scene might slow down the tempo a bit. The trouble of course is the usual one of selection-the most significant scenes HAVE to go in....And here God knows how it works-or fails to work. Only in rehearsal can one find out. Am glad that oul' rascal Harris comes scrossacross. I like him! The truth is Oscar deceived himself for a long long time: it took years for him to come ’out’ (AS THEY SAY THESE DAYS). We dont of course know as much about him as we think; but I only hope I havent got him too wrong. The polished exterior(as you call it) only cracked towards the end; the truth xxx came only then-not with Speranza. Perhaps I’m rationalizing the whole bloody thing now. Anyway you’ve made me think about the play again. (It has been out of my mind now for some months) Again many thanks. I know only too well how hard it is to comment on another's work. If the final verdict is 'agin' I'll still be grateful. In any case I'll be glad to know what the response will be. The sooner the better. With best wishes. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1226 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 May 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd094 Letter Enigma English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd094 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd094_1.jpg LHL Archive P.S. Constance is an enigma: stupid in many ways, a little of a bore; and be innocent ??? Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1227 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Nov 17th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd095 Letter Missing, Lyric English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd095 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd095_1.jpg LHL Archive THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE BELFAST Ridgeway Street, Stranmillis Road, Belfast 9 Telephones: Box Office 660081 Administration 669660 TRUSTEES CHARLES CARVILL JOHN HEWITT PATRICK HUGHES COLM KELLY ROGER MCHUGH MARY O’MALLEY P. PEARSE O’MALLEY HON. DIRECTORS JOHN BOYD DENIS JOHNSTON THOMAS KINSELLA SECRETARY P. PEARSE O'MALLEY TREASURER PATRICK HUGHES 17th November 1977 Professor E.R. Dodds, I saw the review of Missing Persons in the TLS, and thought it excellent. I am forwarding you my own review for The Irish Press (it should be published within the week or so). I hope I have done justice to your book. I was very glad indeed to have the chance of reviewing it. With best wishes, (Jonn Boyd) THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1228 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Nov 17th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd096 Letter The Irish Press English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd096 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd096_1.jpg LHL Archive 17th November 1977 Professor E. R. Dodds, Cromwells house, Old Farston, Oxford. Dear Dodds, I saw the review of Missing Persons in the TLS, and thought it excellent. I am forwarding you my own review for The Irish Press (it should be was published published within the week or so). I hope? Date. I have done justice to your book. I was very glad indeed to have the chance of reviewing it. With best wishes, (Jonn Boyd) THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1229 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 Jun 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd097 Letter Oxford, University English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd097 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd097_1.jpg LHL Archive Professor Dodds 22nd June 1978 Professor E. R. Dodds, Cromwell's house, Old Farston, Oxford, ENGLAND Dear bodes, Yes, they did include that silly shot of undergraduates drinking champagne. They should, of course, have respected your wishes as the clip was completely out of context. However, BBC Directors tend to think of themselves as Moguls. If you would like to read one of my plays here is THE FLATS, which i wrote, some years ago. It is my most popular play, but I don't think it my best. I haven't read it since 1 wrote it, so I don't now whether it makes good reading. I do know that it makes good theatre. We are all very tired of the almost daily assassinations, but what can we do! I envy you Oxford. By the way, did you ever come across an old friend of mine called Jack Kells, who was Reader in Classics in London University. With best wishes, (John Boyd) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1230 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1979 Mar 20th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd098 Letter Judgement, Playwright English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd098 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd098_1.jpg LHL Archive From: John Boyd, 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7. 20th march 1979 To: The Editor, The Sunday News Century Newspapers Ltd., 51 Donegal Street Belfast 1 For Favour of Publication Sir, Truly, 'A Sleep of Reason' would seem to have settled on your drama reviewer. In one of her two articles in your issue of 18th March she has attributed to me two plays I did not write; but, for her information, I did write The street and The Flats. Comment is free, but I sha11 make little comment on your reviewer's judgment of my current play at the Lyric Theatre, Facing North. However, I must correct further factual mistakes on her part. It is surely obligatory for a reviewer to read a theatre programme. Your reviewer cannot have a done so in this instance: the time end place in Facing North are clearly stated there - as well as in the text. Also the Black Mountain is outlined in Shirley Bork's admirable set, even to the detail of the television mast (illuminated at night). Another factual point: there are no Union leaders portrayed in this play: your reviewer must have been asleep. Two factory workers, yes; but it is stated clearly that tne Union refused to participate in the dispute. Your reviewer commented on the acting, particularly that of Louis Rolston. Mr. Rolston appears to be your reviewer’s bete noire, if I may use cliche. Your reviewer's term 'cliched' is neither English or French. In my view Mr. Rolston should not be given the lion's share of blame' for this 'appallingly bad play'. That honour', I'm glad to say, rests with me, the author. Mr, Rolston is one of the finest actors in Ireland, and for Carmel McQuaid to think otherwise is to display her ignorance of acting. Furthermore, to assert that, with one exception, r.Rolston did not react to any incident is demonstrably untrue. Once again, your reviewer must have been enjoying her 'Sleep of Reason' She professes ' to hate to send r. Holsten under the yoke again'. Likewise I hate to send M/s .McQuaid under my yoke for the first and (I hope) last time.Her knowledge of drama is negligible; her presumption enormous; her taste abysmal. Manifestly her review displays both ignorance and illiteracy. My distinguished predecessor, Bernard Shaw, taught me self- advertisement, a lesson wiiich I digested, but have never as yet put into practice. Shaw's own phrase was 'beating his own big drum'. I confess your reviewer impresses me in one aspect of her own difficult craft: I admit to being her inferior in flagellation. A playwright should of course welcome informed criticism, and I do; but there are occasions when attention must be drawn to critical imcompetence. This is one those occasions. I suggest that your readers come to the Lyric Theatre and judge this production for themselves. Yours etc. (John Boyd) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1231 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd099 Letter G.B. Shaw, North English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd099 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd099_1.jpg LHL Archive DRAFT The Editor, The Sunday News For favour of publication Sir, Truly, 'A Sleep of Reason' would seem to have settled on your drama reviewer. In one of her two articles in your issue of 18th March she has attributed to me two plays I did not write; but, for her information, I did write The street and The Flats. Comment is free, thereforebut 1 sha11 make nolittle comment on your reviewer's judgment of my current play at the Lyric Theatre, Facing North. ButHowever, I must correct/further factual mistakes on her part. It is surely obligatory for a reviewer to read a theatre programme. Your reviewer mustn'tcannot have a done so in this instance: the time end place in Facing North are clearly stated there - as well as beinf statedin the text. Also the Black Mountain is clearly outlined in Shirley Bork's admirable set, even tothe detail of the television mast (illuminated at night). Another factual point: Againthere are no Union leaders portrayed in this play:your reviewer must have been asleep. Two factory workers, yes; but it is stated clearly that tne Union refused to participate in the dispute. Your reviewer commented on the acting, particularly that of Louis Rolston. Mr. Rolston appears to be your reviewer’s bete noire, (sorry to use a French phrase, for obviously your reviewer doesn't understand either French or English, else she would not have coind such a horror as 'cliched). Mr. Rolston, In myestimationview should not be given the lion's share of thenblame'for this 'appallingly bad play'. That honour', I'm glad to say, restswith me, the author. Mr, Rolston is one of the finest actors in Ireland, and for Carmel McQuaid to think otherwise is to display her ignorance of acting as well as of the English language. Furthermore, to assert that, with one exception, r.Rolston did not react to any dramticincident is demonstrably untrue. Once again, your reviewer must have been enjoying her 'Sleep of Reason' She professes ' to hate havingto send r. Holsten under the yoke again'. Very well:LikewiseI hate to send herM/s .McQuaid under my yoke for the first and (l hope) thelast time.This Her review displays both ignorance and illeteracy. Your reviewr's knowledge of drama is negligible; her presumption enormous;her taste abysmal. My distinguished predecessor, C.B.Bernard Shaw, taught me self- advertisement, a lesson wiich I digested, but have never as yet put into practice. BernardShaw's own phrase was - as your reviewer doubtless knows 'beating his own big drum'.Unfortunately that phrase is ambigious in this contextI confess Your reviewer impresses me in one aspect of her difficult Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1232 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd100 Letter Playwright, Criticism English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd100 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd100_1.jpg LHL Archive artcraft: I admit to being her inferior in flagellation. AnyA playwright of course should welcome informed criticism, asand I do; but there are occasions when attention must be drawn to critical imcompetence. This is one those occasions. End Yours etc. (John Boyd) 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7 Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1233 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1979 Oct 26th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd101 Letter Guardian, Titanic English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd101 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd101_1.jpg LHL Archive Give SAE TITANIC 26th October 1979 Michael Stone, c/o The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London GCiR 3ER, England. Dear Mr. Stone, In The Guardian on Tuesday October 2nd you wrote a most interesting article on a new musical THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC, which had its world premiere at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. As THE TITANIC was a Belfast built ship we have have a particular interest in her fate. I was wondering could you give me some information about the musical: for instance, is there a libretto available yet? Where would we write for further information which we would require. I don't expect you know our theatre, but 1 think I can modestly say that we are the most important theatre in the North of Ireland, and it is our policy to do a wide range of work. I hope you don't mind my writing to you, and would be most grateful for your co-operation, I enclose a SAE for reply. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Literary Advisor, THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE P.S. We recieve an annual subvention from the Arts Council, Norther Ireland, Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1234 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1980 Jul 31st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd102 Letter Flats, Director English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd102 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd102_1.jpg LHL Archive 31st July i990 LITA, Sloveneska Literarna Agentura, Cs.armady 31/111, 894 20 BRATISLAVA CSSR, CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Dear Sir, Thank you for sending me your statement No. 403/CT-Kr. of 10th April 1980, which reached me only last week. Thank you also for the cheque for $420. With apologies for the delay in acknowledgment, for the reason given. I have a request to make: would you be so kind as to put me in touch with the TV Director of my plat THE FLATS (BARAKY). I should like to to know from him/her what kind of response the transmission received from viewers. 1 should also be most grateful if the Director would kindly send me a script; this is merely for my records of translations of this play. I am very glad that your TV Service produced this play, and I hope the reaction has been a favourable one. With best wishes, (John Boyd) THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1235 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1981 Feb 3rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd103 Letter Flats, Popular English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd103 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd103_1.jpg LHL Archive JIRI SVOBODA 55 Northern Ireland. 3rd February 1981 Mr. Jiri Svoboda, ViSneva 6, 800 CO Bratislava, SSSR. Dear r. Svoboda, Thank you very much tor your New Year's Card. I was glad to learn that THE FLATS was popular. I enclose a copy of THE FARM, in addition to a publicity note. This play was very successful in Ireland. It will probably oe published here during the summer. I send it to you because it has an interest for both urban and rural viewers. There is a more local dialect in it, but not very much. For example, the word 'window' is written as 'winda'; and 'never' as 'niver'. I don't think, however, a translator would have too many difficulties, but if there are any problems I would be pleased to interpret a list given to me. Like all my plays it has, I think, a strong social and political intent^ Although I have said it is of interest to rural and urban viewers, the principal theme is about the struggle for the land. This theme is, of course, a universal one. In each of my plays i select an aspect of the social struggle, my intention being to illuminate it fron the point of view of a socialist playwright. I should be glad to have your opinion of THE FARM. If it is not suitable, perhaps I should give you a synopsis of some of my other plays, so that you may have a better idea of the Kind of play that is most suitable. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1236 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1980 Oct 3rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd104 Letter Flats, Bratislava English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd104 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd104_1.jpg LHL Archive SLOVENSKA LITERARNA AGENTURA THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Ridgeway Street Stranmillis Road Belfast 9 IRELAND Dear Mr.Boyd, referring to your letter in case of the screenplay of your work THE FLATS we are sending you the Slovak translation of the play. We would like to inform you as well that the direc- tor of this adaptation was Mr.Jirl Svoboda, Visneva 6, 800 00 Bratislava, CSSR. Thanking you for your cooperation, we are Yours sincerely, Zuzana Havlikova Chief theatr.dep. Emilia Obuchova vice-director Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1237 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1980 Dec 3rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd105 Letter Flats, Drama English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd105 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd105_1.jpg LHL Archive 3 Dec 1980 Dear Mr Jiri Svoboda, Thank you very much for directing and adapting my play The Flats. The production proved successful. I have enclosed a booklet which I co-edited and which tells something of the theatre where my work is produced I wish I knew more about the drama in your country at the present time. If you would like to have more information about my own work I would be happy to tell you about it. Again many thanks for your work. Sincerely John Boyd Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 14:08 1238 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1980 Dec 3rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd106 Letter Slovack, Flats, Belfast English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd106 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd106_1.jpg LHL Archive 3 Dec 1980 Dear Ms Emila Obuchova, I am very greatful to you for sending me the Slovak translation of my play The Flats, and I must thank you for it. I hope the play was successful, and that all workers enjoyed it. I am also writing to Mr.Jiri Svoboda. Please accept this booklet which describes the work of the theatre in Belfast where I work It shows photographs of some of my other plays Many thanks for your co-operation Sincerely John Boyd Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 14:18 1239 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1981 Aug 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd107 Letter Omagh, Theatre, Tyrone English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd107 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd107_1.jpg LHL Archive As from: 28 Rosetta Avenue, Belfast 7 22nd August 1981 Dear Mrs, Reid, Many thanks for the invitation to participate in the Omagh Festival, I am looking forward to meeting the students and of course yourself. Further to our telephone conversation, I suggest coming to Omagh on Monday, 5th October as my first preference, though 1 could manage Wednesday 7th October, I should be glad if you would send me further details as to the venue and time. If you require a title for my lecture, I suggest 'WHY GO TO THE THEATRE?'. May I add that I welcome discussion, questions and criticism after a not vermalformal lecture. Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Mrs. Reid, 28 Lisanelly Park, Omagh B779 7DE, Co. Tyrone Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1240 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1981 Aug 22nd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd108 Letter Copyright, Oscar Wilde English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd108 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd108_1.jpg LHL Archive As from 28 Hosetta Avenue, Belfast 7, Northern Ireland 22nd August 1981 Dear Mrs.MacLiesh, Society of Authors, 84 Drayton Gardens, London SW10 9SD, England, Dear Mrs. MacLiesh, Thank you for your letter of l4th August, which cleared up for me the copyright position so far as my play based on the life of Oscar Wilde is concerned. You must have gone to a lot of trouble on my behalf, and I am most grateful. With best wishes, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1241 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd109 Letter Friendship English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd109 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd109_1.jpg LHL Archive Sept 1988 Dear Brian, I xxx think you'll be surprised but I hope you won't mind to get a public letter from me, After all our long friendship has been xxxxxx largely epistolatary, for xxx geographical reasons I suppose, but also xxx owing to my distaste for travel. Anyway that we don't meet more often xxxxxx personally is my fault, not yours: xxx but curiously enough I've recently come to the conclusion that close friends - as you and I are xxxxxxx - should measure out their meetings because that way ensures that friendship never goes stale. How's that for special pleading on ratiocination on my part? Friendship is important to you, as it is to me, and now that you've reached sixty I've calculated that we have enjoyed at least thirty years of it. Extraordinary, isn't it, how quickly it has passed and Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 14:55 1280 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd110 Letter McLaverty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd110 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd110_1.jpg LHL Archive Short story. As you know (for I've told you) he regards The Foundry House as a masterpiece: a word he normally reserves for Chekhov and xxxxx xxxxxx Mc Laverty is as fastidious a critic as he is a writer. But this letter looks like turning into a eulogy of him as well as yourself, and I'm determined to avoid that. Instead I'll just say what comes into my head, as Stendhal did when writing Henry Brulard Have you read it? If not do You see what's happening, don't you? I'm still trying to educate you: for you once gave Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 15:50 1281 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd111 Letter McLaverty English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd111 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd111_1.jpg LHL Archive me a copy of your 'Selected Stories' and inscribed it I'm still not sure whether you were writing ironical; but i'll give you the benefit of the doubt. We were both teachers but whether good ones or not I don't know. I think I was a reasonably good teacher for a couple of years, that is, until staleness set in and I began to hate the imposed xxxxxx syllabus English was badly taught in those days; but things are better now that worthy living writers like yourself and Michael McLaverty are included in the syllabuses. Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 16:05 1282 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd112 Letter Ais-Eiri, Belfast, Troubles English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd112 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd112_1.jpg LHL Archive  LETTER FROM BELFAST ———————-0O0———————— Dear Larry, Thank you for your letter last week asking me to write an article for Ais-Eiri. I've made two attempts already and failed. Will this letter do instead? If it's unsuitable, tear it up. But the fact is that what I have to say about living and writing in Belfast at present is far too personal, too disjointed, too fragmentary, to be readily shaped into an article. An article presupposes expertise, special insights, research, and I can lay claim to none of these. There have been many millions of words uttered or written about the 'troubles'; broadcasters, journalists, professors, politicians, economists, historians, sociologists, authors and 'authorities' of all sorts have had, or are having, their say, and such is the linguistic deluge that I'm drenched with it all and can take no more Now as news comes in of each neighbourly murder we pine for ceremony, customary rhythms: the temperate footsteps of a cortege, winding past each blinded home ..... - 1 - Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1245 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd113 Letter Poetry, Heaney, Patrick Galvin English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd113 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd113_1.jpg LHL Archive - 2 - Those lines are from a poem called Funeral Rites in Seamus Heaney's latest volume North. I quote them because there is more sense, insight, and solace, in poets than in public figures. Heaney's voice resonates more than Paisley's and will continue to resonate when that cleric is long forgotten. In the end, poetry - memorable speech - endures. And we have many poets - Heaney, Hewitt, McFadden, Montague, Kinsella, Deane, Simmons, MongderLongley,FMaccFiacc, Muldoon, Mahon - and what they are telling us has the unpalatability of bitter truth. Again to quote From the incubus of thy first coming And the immaculate conception of death We pray deliverance. We are entombed with love Phoenixed in righteousness Spare us, 0 Lord From the crucifixion by fire. Those lines (only part of Ephiphany in Belfast) are by Patrick Galvin, whom you met this summer. You remember that wet afternoon? We talked for an hour or so in the Lyric Theatre and looked across the Lagan, the river misted, and you commented on the beautiful site the theatre possesses. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1246 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd114 Letter Lyric Theatre, O'Casey, O'Malley English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd114 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd114_1.jpg LHL Archive - 3 - Yes, few theatres are so lucky. The Lyric must be one of the luckiest theatres in Europe. I wonder why I thought of 'luck' just now. Well, the Lyric has survived seven years on its present site and I think its survival is something of a miracle. It has been bombed (but luckily the blast went the wrong way) ; it has been picketed by Paisleyites (luckily their protest was of no avail); and it has often been threatened ... But no more of this! The Lyric not only endures, it flourishes - the only professional theatre in the north. Tonight I am going to the opening of Cock-a-doodle Dandy. Tomas MacAnna of the Abbey directing. This O’Casey play has never been performed in Ireland. Imagine, an O’Casey play written in 1947 and not produced in his native countryhuntil now! We do honour our dramatists, don’t we? I wish that Pat and I had had enougn time that afternoon to tell you about the history of the Lyric. It is a romantic story, and some day it will be told in full. It was founded by Mary O’Malley who comes from Cork and her husband, Pearse O’Malley, who comes from Armagh, and it has a line from Yeats inscribed on the granite lintel; A fitting inscription; Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:39 1247 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd115 Letter Threshold, Ais-Eiri, Lyric English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd115 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd115_1.jpg LHL Archive - 4- for the theatre has specialised in poetic drama, particularly Yeats. This isn't to say that non-poetic drama is excluded from the repertoire - Williams, Millar, Ropit, O’Neill have all had notable productions. Pat dalvin and I share the editorship of Threshold, the twenty-sixth issue of which has just appeared. (I'll send you a copy). This magazine is one of the offshoots of the Lyric - others such as the Art Gallery are in temporary abeyance. By the way, it strikes me that Ais-Siri and ourselves have a great deal in common, and could learn from each other. Let’s do so. Send me the next issue please. I wish I'd known of the existence of An Claidheamh Soluis a year and a half ago when I was in New York for a week! the loneliest week of my life. I knew nobody, spoke to nobody, and wandered the streets talking to myself. It was mid-March so I saw the parade on the seventeenth (the article by Dick Ryan in Ais-Biri brought it all back to me). I’m sure Ryan is right when he says that something has become corrupted in the way you celebrate St. Patrick’s day there, but all the same it meant a good deal to one lonely visitor, though normally not addicted to parades of any kind. I find here at home the Twelfth of July to be the saddest parade in the world. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1248 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd116 Letter Orangism, Yeats English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd116 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd116_1.jpg LHL Archive - 5- (As I wrote that last sentence a bomb detonated somewhere in the city and I left this back bedroom and looked out of the front for smoke, but the morning is too misty and I can’t see more than a hundred yards). Yes, we love parades, don’t we? The Orangemen particularly. They’re Irish in that respect at least, though they’re unaware of it. But I mustn’t go on about Orangism, though one of my grandfathers was a Past Paster of his Lodge and had an oleograph of Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, hanging in his kitchen. Who Disraeli was my grandfather neither knew nor cared: he was that kind of a man, ignorant as the dawn, as Yeats says somewhere. (I hear the siren of an ambulance, and again any continuity of thought I had is broken) Yes, Yeats, We are all still in his shadow, poets especially. As for his drama, his best - I’m thinking of Purgatory and The Death of Cuchulain - are wonderful: and all of them have interest. Still, Irish drama hasn’t gone Yeats’s way. Perhaps it will in the future, who can tell? I’ve come almost to the end of this letter and told you little about life as we live it. Is there a life before death? That's chalked up in Ballymurphy. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1249 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd117 Letter Heaney, Politics English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd117 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd117_1.jpg LHL Archive - 6 - 'Is there a life before death? That’s chalked up in Ballymurphy, Competence with pain, Coherent miseries, a bite and sup, We hug our little destiny again.' That’s another quote from Heaney. Is there a life before death? We’re not too concerned about the other just now, though I heard Paisley yesterday on television say that he wouldn’t discuss or think about politics on a Sunday. Isn’t it a pity he thinks about politics at all? Is there a life before death? That’s the question, as Joxer would say, that’s the question. Yes, that is the question, isn’t it? In the meantime we go on living this half-life in this murdering, mouldering city. Many are leaVing, of course, and nearly every street has houses with For Sale notices, like tin flags. Another Irish emigration is taking place, hundreds every week flee from this run-down city that has not yet found an identity. Will it ever? d That’s one of the things I’d like to discuss when we next meet. Look after yourself. John Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1250 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd118 Letter Belfast, Ais-Eiri English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd118 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd118_1.jpg LHL Archive  LETTER FROM BELFAST Dear Larry, Thank you for your letter last week asking me towrite an article for Ais-Eiri. I've made two attempts already and failed.xxxxx Will this letter do instead? If it's unsuitable, tear it up. But the fact is that what I have to say about living and writing in Belfast at present is far too personal, too disjointed, too fragmentary, to be readily shaped into an article. xxx xxxx xxxxxAn article presupposes expertise,xxx special insights,xxx research, and I can lay claim to none of these. There have been many millions of words uttered or written about the 'troubles'; broadcasters, journalists, professors, politicians, economists, historians, sociologists, authors and 'authorities' of all xxx sorts have had, or are having, their say, and such is the xxxxx xxxlinguistic deluge thatI'm drenched xxxx xxx xxwith it all and can take no more Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1251 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd119 Letter Heaney, Poets English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd119 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd119_1.jpg LHL Archive 2 Now as news comes in of each neighbourly murder we pine for ceremony, customary rhythms: the temperate footsteps of a cortege, winding past each blinded home ... Those lines are from a poem called Funeral Rites in Seamus Heaney's latest volume North. I quote them because there is more sense, insight, and solace, in xxpoets than in xxpublic figures. Heaney's xxxxxvoice resonates more than Paisley's and will continue to resonate when that cleric is long forgotten. In the end, poetry - xxxxxxxxmemorable speech - endures.xxxxxxxx And we have many poets - Heaney, Hewitt, McFadden, Montague, Kinsella, Deane,Simmon, Longley,Fiacc, Muldoon, Mahon - and xxxx xxxxxxx xxwhat they are Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1252 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd120 Letter Patrick Galvin, Lyric Theatre English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd120 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd120_1.jpg LHL Archive 3 telling us has the unpalatability of bitter truth. Again to quote x xxxxx Lord From the incubus of thy first coming And the immaculate conception of death We pray deliverance. We are entombed with love Phoenixed in righteousness Spare us, 0 Lord From the crucifixion by fire. That fromThose lines (only part of Ephiphany in Belfast) are by Patrick Galvin, whom you met this summer. You remember that wet afternoon? We talked for an hour or so in the Lyric Theatre and looked across the Lagan, the xxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxriver misted,and you commented on the beautiful site the theatre possesses. Yes, Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1253 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd121 Letter Lyric English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd121 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd121_1.jpg LHL Archive 4 few theatres are so lucky. The Lyric x must be one of the luckiest theatres in Europe.xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx I wonder why I xxx xxx xxxxxx thought of 'luck' just now. Well, the Lyric has survived seven years on its present site and I think its survival is something of a miracle. It has been bombed (but luckily the blast went the wrong way) ;xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx it has been picketed by Paisleyites ( luckily their protest was of no avail); and it has often been threatened ... But no more of this! The Lyric not only endures, it flourishes - the only professional theatre in the north. Tonight I am going to the opening Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1254 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd122 Letter Lyric, O'Casey, O'Malley English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd122 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd122_1.jpg LHL Archive 5 of Cock-a-doodle Dandy. Tomas MacAnna of the Abbey directing. This O’Casey play has never been performed in Ireland. Imagine, an O’Casey play written in 1947 and xxxxxnot produced in his native countryhuntil now! We do honour our greatdramatists, don’t we? I wish that Pat and I had itshad enougn time that afternoon to tell you about the history of the Lyric.It hasis a romantic story, and some day it will be told in full. xxxxIt was founded by Mary O’Malley who comes from Cork and her husband, Pearse O’Malley, who comes from Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1255 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd123 Letter Drama, Threshold English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd123 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd123_1.jpg LHL Archive 6 Armagh voer the lintel these words by Yeats are inscribed Armagh, xx xxxxxand it has a line from Yeats inscribed on the granite lintel; A fitting inscription; for the lyrictheatre has specialised in poetic drama, particularly xx Yeats. This isn't to say that non-poetic drama is excluded from the ? repertoire - Williams, Millar,Ropit, O’Neill have all had notable productions. Pat dalvin and I share the editorship of Threshold,the twenty- sixth issue of which has just appeared. (I'll send you a copy). This magazine is one of the offshoots of the Lyric - xxxxxothers such as the Art Gallery are in temporary abeyance. By the way, it strikes me By [th way]that Ais-Siri and ourselves Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1256 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd124 Letter Ais-Eiri English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd124 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd124_1.jpg LHL Archive 7/ have a great deal in common, and xxxxxx xx xxxx could learn from each other. Let’s do so. Send me the next issue please. I wish I'd known of the existence of An Claidheamh Soluis a year and a half ago when I was in New York for a week or so! the loneliest week of my life. xxxxxxI knew nobody, spoke to nobody, and wandered the streets talking to myself. Saw the St Patricks Day Parade It was mid-March so I saw the parade on the seventeenth ( the article by RDick Ryan in Ais-Biri brought it all back to me). I’m sure he'sRyan is right when he says that something has become corrupted in the way you celebrate St Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1257 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd125 Letter Larne, Parades English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd125 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd125_1.jpg LHL Archive 8 Patrick’s day there, but all the same it meant a good deal to one lonely visitor, though Im not one for parades at any time normally not addicted to parades of any kind. I find here at home the Twelfth of July to be the saddest parade in the world. (As I wrote that last sentence a bomb detonated somewhere in the city and I left this back bedroom and looked out of the front for smoke, but the morning istoo misty and I can’t see more than a hundred yards).xxxx) Yes, we love parades, don’t we? The Orangemen particularly. They’re Irish in that respect at least, Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1258 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd126 Letter Orangism, Yeats English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd126 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd126_1.jpg LHL Archive 9 though they’re unaware of it. But I mustn’t go on about Orangism, though myone of my grandfathers was a Past Pasterof his Lodge and Ihad an oleograph of Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield, hanging in his kitchen.He Who Disraeli was my grandfather heneither knew nor cared: he was that kind of a man, ignorant as the dawn, as Yeats says somewhere. He never read a book in his lief and found the news paper hard going Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1259 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd127 Letter Drama, Yeats English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd127 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd127_1.jpg LHL Archive 10 (I hear the siren of an ambulance, and again whatany continuity of thought I had is broken) Yes, Yeats, We are all still in his shadow, poets particularlyespecially. As for his drama, his best - I’m thinking of Purgatory and The Death of Cuchulain - are wonderful: and all of them have interest. Still, BestIrish drama hasn’t gone Yeats’s way. Perhaps it will soonin the future, who can tell? I’ve come almost to the end of this letter and havetoldyou little about life as we live it. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1260 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd128 Letter Heaney, Politics English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd128 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd128_1.jpg LHL Archive 11 Is there a life before death 'Is there a life before death? That’s chalkedoff up in Ballymurphy, Competence with pain, Coherent miseries, a bite and sup, We hug our little destiny again.' That’s another quote from Heaney. Is there a life afterbefore death? We’re not too concerned about notthe other just now, though I heard Paisley yesterday on television say that he wouldn’t discuss or think about politics on a Sunday. Isn’t it a pity he thinks about politics at all? Yes asIs there a life before death? That’s the question, as Joxer would say, or Joxer would say that’s the question. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1261 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd129 Letter Identity English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd129 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd129_1.jpg LHL Archive 12 Yes, that is the question, isn’t it? In the meantime we go on living this half-life in this murdering, mouldering city. Many are leaVing, of course,and nearly and nearly every street has houses with For Sale notices, like tin flags. Another Irish emigration is taking place, hundreds every week flee from this run-down city that has not yet found its identity. Will it ever? That’s one of the things I’d like to discuss when we next meet. Look after yourself. John Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1262 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1989 Jan 1st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd130 Letter Lille University English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd130 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd130_1.jpg LHL Archive 1 January 1989 Dear Lizzie, Thank you very much for your lovely card - and your domestic news. I haven't been in London - except for one night about 8 months on my way to Lille University in N.E. France to give a lecture on Sean O'Casey, and to examine a student for a degree - she'd translated one of my plays. I,ve been very busy this year and Elizabeth's health hasn't been good, and I've had some eye trouble (glaucoma) but it dosen't worry me as yet. have been writing hard (and, luckily, with success!) but I won't bore you with this. I Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 16:18 1263 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd131 Letter Health English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd131 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd131_1.jpg LHL Archive 2 phoned Elaine (D's sister) last week just to keep in touch. She's had a hip operation and has recovered well, I'm glad to say. I expect you're overwhelmed with work (I mean two children can be a handful - more difficult than writing plays!!!) but they constitute your (and man's) immortality. Maybe we'll meet in 1989 - I'd love to hear your news and views - Alan's too of course - and the childrens chatter. I keep well: life has changed for me (as you can well imagine): but it takes its course, and I've certainly got health and vitality still, So - Good luck to you all for 1989 and For yours John Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 16:44 1264 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1989 Nov 24th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd132 Letter René English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd132 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd132_1.jpg LHL Archive The Lyric Players Theatre, Belfast 55 RIDGEWAY STREET, STRANMILLIS ROAD, BELFAST 9, N. IRELAND Tel: Box Office: (0232) 381081 • Administration (0232) 669660 & 669463 Artistic Director: ROLAND JAQUARELLO Administrator: MIKE BLAIR 29 Nov 1989 Dear Rene YOur article is admirable and many thanks for it Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1265 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd133 Letter Irish Times, Joseph Hone English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd133 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd133_1.jpg LHL Archive 2 Ballymacash Lisburn N.9 Friday Dear Bill: Thanks for the note. Was curious to hear your news. Sorry about Murlough. But ???????? 9 January, especially with Dylan. Well, I'm working hard, in all sorts of ways. Had a short elegy in last weeks Irish Times, + it's been praised by Joseph Hone, Yeats's biographer, as the best poem in the I.T. for a long time. So I'm beginning to fancy myself as a lyricist + have swollen head. Here's a copy - it might interest you. Death of an Old Woman She'd no adventure in her life neither in body nor in mind, and after more than sixty years of wifehood, her body dry as rind, she died in the sun in May. Throughout this long last winter she lay patiently, with neither hope nor fear; and nothing that we might say meant anything to her seer-like face, white as the ray of light spearing the gay Text John Boyd Wednesday, August 17, 2016 - 17:50 1266 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd134 Letter Forrest Reid English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd134 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd134_1.jpg LHL Archive counterpane of the still bed on which her worn body lay as lightly as when she came, a sleepless maid. Hope you can decipher it - I mean the writing: the thought is childs play. Don't be afraid to criticize it to hell. I'm writing a couple of other lyrics, but will keep 'em for a month before publishing - or rather trying to publish - them. Forrest Reid has read the part of my novel that's finished it, + was quite encouraging. But i know it's slight - + my beginning. I'm after a future life in Queens, now! Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 11:59 1267 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 Jan 11th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd135 Letter Lyric Theatre, Colleen Bawn, Uncle Vanya English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd135 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd135_1.jpg LHL Archive LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE, 55, Ridgeway Street, BELFAST "PRESS RELEASE" Telephone 669660 The COLLEEN BAWN continues at the Lyric Theatre until the 28th. January and is proving great family entertainment. The set for the COLLEEN BAWN has been designed by Brian Collins from the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, and is based on an idea of what the play might have looked like in an old Victorian Theatre and it catches just the right atmosphere of pantomime, melodrama, romance and comedy. Rehearsals have started for UNCLE VANYA which will "Open" at the Lyric Theatre on Wednesday, 1st. February with "Previews" on Monday, 30th January and Tuesday 31st. January. The play, rightly regarded as one of the masterpieces of modern drama, was written in the 1890's and was first performed by the Moscow Art Theatre in 1899. It is about country life in Russia in the late 19th century and portrays the conflicts of a middle- class Russian family with great compassion and humour. UNCLE VANYA has never been done before at the Lyric and has not been seen in Belfast since 1963. TONY DINNER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ll/l/78 Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1268 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd136 Letter Wilde, Play English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd136 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd136_1.jpg LHL Archive Friday Dear Pearse, Here's that Wilde play. Hope you've time to read it during the week- end if poss. I've still a log of small textual changes. If this copy is lost, Look for me in the Lagan!!!!! John Boyd P.S. Have a good weekend with old Oscar! Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 14:38 1269 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd137 Letter Ballymacash, Lagan English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd137 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd137_1.jpg LHL Archive Ballymacash Lisburn Sat. Dear Green Thanks for return of MP, with text of ballads - which certainly adds intrest. Hope I didn't put you to too much trouble. Lagan is in the hands of printers, and today I'm handing in your M.P. Hope to see you soon, either in Dublin or at Ballymacash. All good wishes Sincerely John Boyd Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 13:05 1270 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd138 Letter Drama, Translation English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd138 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd138_1.jpg LHL Archive 27/1/78 Tel Call to: The Flats Mrs Waldnut (on the phone) french translation Drama - translation ring 15 minutes 10 mins John Boyd, 28 Rosetta Av. Could you drop me a letter saying what should be the normal of ? 9am Shaftesbury Avenue Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 14:42 1271 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1978 Jan 27th Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd139 Letter Plays, French English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd139 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd139_1.jpg LHL Archive 27/1/78 Phoned Mrs Whodrnut (?) J.Boyd Plays - French 50%/50% Eileen o'Casey, M. Dumay - Figure in the Night 50%/50% 50% Mr George Ashley Mrs Woodnat 10 Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 14:11 1272 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd140 Letter Sean O'Casey English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd140 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd140_1.jpg LHL Archive Tel. Call Dumay file No flights £520 26 6 interested £240 Sean o'Casey Figoro in the Night Mrs Doumay Tallant Dijion John Boyd 28 Rosetta Ave Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 14:18 1273 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd141 Letter England, Bronte English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd141 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd141_1.jpg LHL Archive x Now enjoying our last week-end in England before returning to Ireland. Having left Devon we went to Lincolnshire where we enjoyed a day seeing the cathedral, we then came north, to Yorshire, where we are at present. We are staying with our daughter + visited the famous Bronte country. Again many thanks for all your hospitality. And best wishes. Text John Boyd Thursday, August 18, 2016 - 14:31 1274 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 19 Jan Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd142 Letter Royal Literary Fund, Bill Naughton English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd142 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd142_1.jpg LHL Archive BBC etc. date. make it better To The Committee, Royal Literary Fund. Gentlemen, I have been asked by Mr Bill Naughton to write to you and state what I think regarding a proposal that he should receive help to carry on from the Royal Literary Fund. I will say at once that Mr Naughton is is'a xxsxxxxxxxx very good friend of mine. I have known him for eight years, and I stay with him when I‘m in London. You xxxxxxxxxwill have seen his published work, but his latest novel, "The Second Age", I consider to be the finest novel of working class life ever written etc. Since xxxxxxxxxxx will be of advantage to you to know some facts of his financial positions,! feel I must say outright that duri ng the last year I have twice lent him sums of £25. In a way it has been an honour to do so, for I believe his work to be of singular importance. I think he xxxxxxmight easily have had help before ge tting himself in such straits, for as one eminnent critic said: "He will be the Dickens of our day".And I think it would be a sadlIoss to your literature if such a writer couldn't carry on. John Boyd, M.A.xxxDr Litt Talks Producer B.F. Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:41 1275 Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1977 Jun 23rd Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd143 Letter Threshold, Lyric, Flats English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd143 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd143_1.jpg LHL Archive 23rd June 1977 Dear Professor Frechet, I enclose the latest issue of Threshold, and hope that you will find its contents interesting My latest play called The Street was produced in The Lyric Theatre this Spring. I think I can say that it was successful both with reviewers and the public. Myself, I had reservations about the actual production - there were some cuts made in the text which were unfortunate. Recently I had a letter from Dan Pyper, a friend of mine whom, I understand is a very old friend of yours. he is in good form, and I think contemplating retirement, although I find it hard to think of such an energetic person retiring. I wonder could you kindly give me some advice. I am anxious for The Flats to be translated into French, and was wondering how I could get in touch with some translator, familiar with the Irish literary scene, possibly one of the translators of O'Casey's plays. Do you happen to know any of them? Or are you yourself by any chance interested in translating the play and have the time and inclination to do so? If so, I should be honoured. I hope you don't mind my asking you for this advice. The truth is that once a play of mine is produced I tend to lose interest in it because I am already half way through the next one!Up too now only "The Flats" has been published, and I have had three play performed since then. I hope, therefore, to have these three plays published reasonably soon as I find that publication is the best way to attract new productions an translations. With best wishes to yourself and your wife, Yours sincerely, (John Boyd) THE LYRIC PLAYERS THEATRE Professor Rene Frechet, 5 Villa d'Arcueil, 92170 Vanves, Paris, FRANCE Text John Boyd Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 13:44 1276