[Coward, Noël. (1899-1973)]
Peace In Our Time - Original Script, from the Collection of John C. Wilson
Original printed typescript from the first production of "Peace in our Time," produced, bound and issued for the original Lyric Theatre production in London, 1947. Drystamp on title, lower right from "Mrs. Marshall's Typewriting Office" in London.Blue card wrappers. Title page; Musical Numbers; Cast of Characters; Synopsis; Dedication; 174 pp. Pages fine, wrapper chipped around edges, bound with two gold brads. Ownership plate of John C. Wilson affixed to front cover.
The two-act play written in 1946 focuses on a small group of Londoners in a pub close to Sloane Square, in an alternate past where Germany won the Battle of Britain and successfully invaded and occupied Britain. The play takes its title from the common misquotation of Neville Chamberlain's phrase "Peace for our time" after arriving back from the Munich conference of 1938. Because of its large cast, it is rarely performed.
The American theatre director and producter John C. Wilson (1899 - 1961) met Coward in 1924 and soon became his business manager and lover. Wilson used his position to steal from Coward, but the playwright was in love and accepted both the larceny and Wilson's heavy drinking. Wilson began his theatre career in 1931 as General Manager for the original Broadway production of Coward's hit play Private Lives.
Sold together with three similar copies, each with striped card wrappers, these prepared in NY by the "Rialto Mimeographic and Typing Service Bureau" and each with a typed number (2, 4, 6) upper right corners. (9128)
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