Author:
Donovan Maule (1899-1982), British actor and theatre director, husband of actress Mollie Shiells [Donovan Maule Theatre, Nairobi, Kenya; W. Macqueen-Pope, theatre historian]
Publication details:
Maule’s letter: 10 September 1949; from ‘Kenya Colony, / British East Africa’, on letterhead of The Donovan Maule Players, Nairobi. Carbon of Macqueen-Pope’s reply: 15 September 1949; 359 Strand, WC2 [London].
From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry in the Oxford DNB.) Both items in fair condition, lightly aged and creased. Pinned together. ONE: DM to MP. Signed ‘Mollie and Donovan Maule. / (Mollie Shiells)’, but the husband is clearly the author. 1p, 4to. Folded twice for postage. He thanks him for his ‘inspiring book’ on the Haymarket Theatre. ‘My wife and I (both ex-Haymarket artists) feel inseminated ith fresh optimism and jope while battling with the municipal authorities and Kenya Government to establish the first professional theatre ever known here.
