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John Osborne's work as a playwright, author, actor, producer, director, and contributor
to
numerous newspapers and periodicals is represented in this collection, which consists
of
holograph manuscripts and notebooks, typescripts, page and galley proofs, correspondence,
newspaper and magazine articles, scrapbooks, posters, programs, and business documents.
The
material spans five decades beginning in the mid-1950s just prior to his important
play,
Look Back in Anger (1956). Credited with launching a dramatic
renaissance in Britain, Osborne's literary style is known for its verbal pyrotechnics
and
repeated themes of anger, defeat, and disillusionment. Osborne's skill at sulphuric
prose is
also present in his correspondence where passionate beliefs are expressed with eloquent
vitriol. |
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Osborne's three books, consisting of two autobiographies and a volume of collected
prose;
nearly all of his plays dating from his early Look Back in Anger to his last, DéjàVu; significant correspondence; and journalism are well
represented in this collection. Frequently, both holograph and typescript material
are
present for his books, plays, and other writings, providing continuity from conception
to
publication. The material is arranged in six series: Works, Correspondence, Information
about J.O., Printed Material, Personal, and Works by Others. |
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In the first series, Osborne's works are arranged by title in the following categories:
books; stage, screen, and television plays; adaptations and film; and articles, reviews,
and
other writings. In some cases holograph notebooks contain more than one title. These
are
alphabetized by the first title in the notebook. Likewise, some play scripts are combined
or
have undergone name changes over time. Osborne's adaptations include the works of
Strindberg, Ibsen, Wilde, and De Vega. A holograph notebook of the Academy Award winning
film, Tom Jones, is also present. The Articles, Reviews, and Other
Writings section consists of Osborne's articles, columns, reviews, and letters to
the editor
written for numerous newspapers and periodicals. Identification of publication and
date is
provided whenever possible. As with his books and plays, holograph manuscripts and
typescript drafts accompany the final piece. Many of these writings reappear in Osborne's
volume of collected prose, Damn You, England. |
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The Correspondence series contains letters written to Osborne and some of his wives,
Osborne's replies (usually typed carbons), postcards, telegrams, greeting cards,
invitations, contracts and other agreements, and Osborne family genealogy. Osborne
corresponded with colleagues, critics, friends, family, fans, and those with whom
he had
legal and business dealings. The correspondence was originally housed in 2-ring binders
and
one expanding file. Osborne retained both incoming and outgoing correspondence in
the
binders, arranged in approximate date order by subject (usually play titles) and by
alphabetical division in the expanding file. Osborne frequently composed his responses
on
the back of the incoming correspondence. Much of his outgoing correspondence was prepared
by
his secretaries and sent in his absence. Drafts of many letters exist, typed and
handwritten, as well as typed transcripts of telegrams. |
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While the original subjects of the 2-ring binders are maintained, the letters are
rehoused
in folders and arranged in alphabetical order. Osborne's subject titles are used,
although
some subject areas overlap or are duplicated. The correspondence is arranged in five
subseries. The largest is Works (arranged by title), followed by Personal, including
correspondence with his wives and family, the Osborne genealogy, and "household and domestic matters" at Osborne's London house on
Chelsea Square. The subseries Business contains correspondence with agents, publishers,
lawyers, theaters, and production companys regarding contracts, fees, and royalties.
Osborne's category of "Fans, Friends, and Lunatics"
describes the next subseries which includes several folders with similar titles. |
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The Miscellaneous/General subseries contains correspondence from Osborne's alphabetical
expanding file. The purpose of this file is unclear since subject areas are mixed
and the
dates range from 1958-1992. The topics of censorship and rejected scripts are also
included
in this series. |
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In order to document the original groupings of the 2-ring binders, the following is
a list
of their contents: |
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- Agents and Publishers (General)--including Foreign Agents
- Chelsea Square: Household, domestic matters
- English State Company
- Epitaph for George Dillon (and Dillon Productions), Look Back in Anger, The Entertainer
-
Hedda Gabler;
A Sense of Detachment
-
Inadmissible Evidence
- J.O. fan letters and general enquiries; lunatics
- J.O. Personal, A-M and N-Z
- J.O. Productions; Randle Productions; Holly Productions; National Westminster Bank
(J.O. Private Account)
- J.O. Royalties, Performing Right Society, Fees
- J.O. T.V. Plays: A Subject of Scandal and Concern, Very Like a Whale, The
Right Prospectus, The Gift of Friendship, Ms or Jill and Jack, Little Lord
Fauntleroy
- Luther; Plays for England: The Blood of the
Bambergs and Under Plain Cover
- Lytton Strachey (screenplay); The Hostage and Charge of the Light
Brigade
- A Patriot For Me, May 1966
- Penelope Gilliatt; Nolan
-
The Picture of Dorian Gray,
A Place Calling Itself Rome,
Watch It Come Down,
The End of Me Old Cigar
- Royalties, Performing Right Society Royalties, Fees, Contracts, Agents
- Time Present and The Hotel in Amsterdam; West of Suez
-
The World of Paul Slickey
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A smaller series, Information about J.O., contains a miscellany of items including
a list
of published works (1957-73), astrological chart, and Osborne Productions receipt
book
dating from 1969-71. The Printed Material series contains a wealth of newspaper and
magazine
clippings, scrapbooks, and play programs. The Personal series includes bank statements,
check stubs, posters, and photographs of Osborne, Penelope Gilliatt, Mary Ure, and
stage
productions of his plays. The last series, Works by Others, contains extracts from
Robert
Asprey's The Panther's Feast, Joe Orton's film script Up Against It, Tony Richardson's book Part of All sent to Helen Osborne for commentary, and a masters
thesis by Dolly Beechman on Osborne's Look Back in Anger. Nearly two
dozen of Osborne's published plays, some in foreign language, were transferred to
the HRHRC
book collection. |
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Generally, the collection is in good condition with few deteriorating elements, such
as
tape, present. The scrapbooks and newspaper clippings are in the most perilous condition,
the majority being brown and brittle. |
