BECKETT SAMUEL: (1906-1989)

BECKETT SAMUEL: (1906-1989) Irish novelist and playwright, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1969. A.L.S., Sam Beckett, one page, 8vo, Paris, 28th November 1953, to Deryk [Mendel]. Beckett states that he has suddenly decided to go to London and will leave tomorrow, remarking that he shall probably see Kitty Black and will write to Mendel to let him know what she has to say, further adding ´Have just seen Genevieve Serreau. The Mardis de l´oeuvre are looking for a curtain-raiser to go with Ionesco´s Chaises and she seems to think our scenario might fit the bill´ and continuing ´If you think this worth looking into Jean-Marie Serreau is to be had on the phone at the Oeuvre any day about 2.30 - 3pm´. Beckett concludes by stating that he hopes Mendel didn´t experience any earthquakes in Lisbon and that he is safely back. A letter of interesting associations, linking Beckett to a number of other individuals with important contributions to Waiting for Godot, which had premiered earlier in the same year as the present letter. VG Deryk Mendel (1920-2013) British ballet dancer, choreographer, actor and director, a friend of Beckett. The playwright wrote the short play Act Without Words I in 1956 for Mendel and the dancer first performed the mime at the Royal Court Theatre in London on 3rd April 1957. Dorothy ´Kitty´ Black (1914-2006) South African-born playwright, literary agent and translator who was involved with the noted production of Beckett´s Waiting for Godot in 1956. Genevieve Serreau (1915-1981) French actress and playwright who co-founded the Théâtre de Babylone in Paris which premiered Beckett´s Waiting for Godot on 5th January 1953. Jean-Marie Serreau (1915-1973) French actor and theatre director associated with the Theatre de l´oeuvre in the 1950s. Serreau created works by avant gardist playwrights including Beckett and Eugene Ionesco, and was married to Genevieve Serreau.