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“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.” Daily Telegraph, May 18, 1891, p. 3
TO THE EDITOR OF “THE DAILY TELEGRAPH.”
SIR – In your “Dramatic and Musical” column of Friday last, I read a statement to the effect that the programme of the forthcoming performance at the Vaudeville Theatre, on behalf of the Serpent Fund, “will include an original travestie of ‘Hamlet,’ by W.S. Gilbert, for ‘the first time in public.’”
I shall be glad if you will allow me to state that the skit in question was written by me many years ago, without any intention that it should be produced as a stage-play. It appeared in the columns of a weekly serial, and has recently been re-published in a volume of reprints. A few months ago, a lady—a stranger to me—wrote to me asking if she might be permitted to play the piece privately in a drawing-room. I could, of course, offer no objection to her doing so, inasmuch as she could have played it, under such circumstances, without any permission from me. A few weeks later, the same lady wrote to me, informing me that the performance had been so successful that she hoped I would allow her to repeat it—a request to which I again gave an unnecessary assent. A fortnight since, my correspondent again asked me to allow the piece to be played, this time in aid of the Serpent Fund; and, under the belief that it was to be produced under semi-private circumstances in its former arena, the Theatre Royal Back Drawing-Room, I gave a ready consent. I now learn from your columns that the piece is to be produced at the Vaudeville Theatre in London.
I do not desire to suggest that this circumstance was designedly withheld from me, though you will probably agree with me that so material a fact should have been stated when the application was made.
Had I known that it was intended to produce the piece at a leading London theatre I should not only have stipulated that the cast and stage management should be placed under my full control, but I should also have re-written and re-arranged the piece to suit dramatic exigencies, which, in its present form, it can scarcely be said to do. As the piece is to be played on behalf of a most deserving charity I do not feel justified in interposing any difficulties at this eleventh hour, but I may be permitted to disclaim all responsibility for the manner of its production, and to request that your critic, when he deals with the piece, will take my protest into his consideration.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
W.S. GILBERT
Graemes’ Dyke, Harrow Weald, May 16.
Page modified 7 August 2018