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George Alexander Papers george_alexander_papers This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on September 24, 2021. English. Describing Archives: A Content Standard Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.rochester.edu/spaces/rbscp george_alexander_papers Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical/Historical note .......................................................................................................................... 3 Scope and Contents note ............................................................................................................................... 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Controlled Access Headings .......................................................................................................................... 5 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Series I: Plays from known playrights ....................................................................................................... 5 Series II: Plays from playwrights unknown ............................................................................................. 10 - Page 2 - george_alexander_papers Summary Information Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Creator: Alexander, George, Sir, 1858-1918 Title: George Alexander papers ID: D.178 Date [inclusive]: 1892-1913 Physical Description: 34 Volumes Language of the English Material: Preferred Citation [Item title, item date], George Alexander papers, D.178, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical/Historical note The British actor-manager Sir George Alexander (1858-1918) was born in Reading, England. He began acting in amateur theatricals in 1875, and four years later embarked on a professional acting career, making his London debut in 1881. He played many roles in the leading companies, including Sir Henry Irving's Lyceum. In 1890 he produced his first play at the Avenue Theatre and in 1891 he became the manager of St. James's Theatre. Here he produced several of the major plays of the day such as Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde (1892), The Second Mrs. Tanqueray by Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1893), The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde (1895), and The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope (1896). ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 3- george_alexander_papers Scope and Contents note The collection consists of thirty-four typed, bound scripts used during the production of the plays at St. James's Theatre. Those having manuscript revisions, stage directions, and photographs of the production are noted in the following list of the plays. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.rochester.edu/spaces/rbscp Restrictions on Access The George Alexander Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification. Immediate Source of Acquisition note Purchased from George S. MacManus Co., March 18, 1983. Restrictions on Use In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 4- george_alexander_papers Related Materials Related Archival Materials note Pearl Mary Teresa Richards Craigie Papers See also: Pinero, Sir Arthur Wing. The Second Mrs. Tanqueray (London, J. Miles, 1892). This copy belonged to Sir George Alexander and contains his notes, annotations, stage directions, etc. for the first production of the play in 1893. Rare Book Department call number: PR 5182 .S44 ^ Return to Table of Contents Controlled Access Headings • Theatrical producers and directors • England--London • Drama • Alexander, George, Sir, 1858-1918 • Saint James' Theatre (Organization : London, England) Collection Inventory Series I: Plays from known playrights Title/Description Instances Aide, Hamilton. Doctor Bill; a farcical comedy in three acts Volume 1 Scope and Contents Adapted from the French of Albert Carre. Bound typescript, ca 70 pages. Sketch of set design for acts I and II. George Alexander's bookplate. Beringer, Mrs. Oscar. The plot of his story; a play in one act Volume 2 Scope and Contents Founded on the short story by Morley Roberts. Bound typescript, 22 pages. Sketch of set design. George - Page 5- george_alexander_papers Alexander's bookplate. Opened at St. James's Theatre on 22 November 1900. Buchanan, Robert and Fred Horner. The struggle for life; modern Volume 3 drama in four acts Scope and Contents Adapted by "La Lutte pour la Vie". Bound typescript with many manuscript annotations and revisions, ca 75 pages. George Alexander's bookplate. Bulwer Lytton, Edward. Money Volume 4 Scope and Contents Bound printed copy of the play interleaved with pages containing numerous manuscript revisions of the dialogue, drawings of the sets, stage directions, prompts, etc., ca 100 pages. Inscribed on front fly-leaf "To George Alexander with all sweetest remembrance from James Fernandez, Drury Lane Theat, May 9/11". Calmour, Alfred C. The lady killer; a comedy in one act Volume 5 Scope and Contents Bound typescript, with few manuscript revisions, 21 pages. George Alexander's bookplate. Carton, Richard Claude. Lorrimer Sabiston--dramatist Volume 6 Scope and Contents Bound typescript with manuscript stage directions, ca 110 pages. George Alexander's bookplate. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 9 November 1909. Chambers, C. Haddon. The awakening Volume 7 Scope and Contents Bound typescript interleaved with blank pages; occasional revisions; ca 100 pages. Program laid in. George Alexander's bookplate. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 6 February 1901. Chambers, C. Haddon. The idler; a play in four acts Volume 8 Scope and Contents Typescript, ca 60 pages Fagan, James Bernard. Bella donna; a play in four acts Volume 9 - Page 6- george_alexander_papers Scope and Contents Adapted from the novel by Robert Hichens. Bound typescript with five mounted photographs of the sets, ca 120 pages. George Alexander's bookplate. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 9 December 1911. [Field, Julian]. Too happy by half Volume 10 Scope and Contents Bound typescript with manuscript revisions, 34 pages. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 5 January 1895. George Alexander's bookplate. Frith, Walter. Midsummer day; a new and original comedy in one Volume 11 act Scope and Contents Bound typescript with numerous manuscript revisions, 31 pages. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 30 March 1892. George Alexander's bookplate. Forbes, Athol. Lord Danby's affair; a society play Volume 12 Scope and Contents Bound typescript interleaved with blank pages; a few manuscript revisions, ca 100 pages Godfrey, G.W. The woman-hater Volume 13 Scope and Contents Bound typescript with numerous manuscript revisions, 22 pages Grundy, Sydney. A debt of honour; an original play in five acts Volume 14 and an epilogue Scope and Contents Bound typescript, with photographs of the scenery, drawings of the stage sets, manuscript corrections, printed program, 109 pages. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 1 September 1900 Hamilton, Cosmo. The fortune of war Volume 15 Scope and Contents Bound typescript, 13 pages. George Alexander's bookplate Hobbes, John Oliver [Mrs. Pearl Craigie]. The ambassador; a Volume 16 comedy in four acts - Page 7- george_alexander_papers Scope and Contents Bound typescript, ca 100 pages. Printed program laid in. George Alexander's bookplate. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 2 June 1898 Hobbes, John Oliver [Mrs. Pearl Craigie]. The wisdom of the Volume 17 wise; a comedy in three acts Scope and Contents Bound typescript with numerous manuscript revisions, ca 90 pages. George Alexander's bookplate Hope, Anthony [Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins]. Rupert of Hentzau; Volume 18 a play in four acts Scope and Contents Bound typescript, diagrams of stage settings, some manuscript revisions, ca 120 pages. Opened at St. James's Theatre 1 February 1900. George Alexander's bookplate. [Jones, Henry Arthur]. The ogre Volume 19 Scope and Contents Bound typescript with numerous revisions, stage directions, etc., ca 100 pages. Opened at St. James's Theatre, 11 September 1911. George Alexander's bookplate. [Le Marchant, P.] The turning point. English translation of the Volume 20 play La Flambee by Henry Hubert Alexandre Kistemaeckers Scope and Contents
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