What did I want so particularly to say?—oh yes: it was this. I have written to [William] Terriss to tell him that I have kept my promise to him & have “a strong drama” with a part for him; but I want your opinion; for I have never tried melodrama before; and this thing, with its heroic sacrifice, its impossible court martial, its execution (imagine W. T. hanged before the eyes of the Adelphi!), its sobbings & speeches & declamations, may possibly be the most monstrous piece of farcical absurdity that ever made an audience shriek with laughter. And yet I have honestly tried for dramatic effect. I think you could give me a really dry opinion on it; for it will not tickle you, like “Arms & The Man” & “You Never Can Tell,” nor get at your sympathetic side, like Candida (the heroine is not the hero of the piece this time); and you will have to drudge conscientiously through it like a stage carpenter & tell me whether it is a burlesque or not. . . .
GBS
48/ To Ellen Terry
7th March 1897
. . . Does H. I. [Henry Irving] really say that you are in love with me? For that be all his sins forgiven him! I will go to the Lyceum again and write an article proving him to be the greatest Richard [III] ever dreamed of. I am also touched by his refusing to believe that we have never met. No man of feeling could believe such heartlessness. . . .
G. B. S.
49/ To Ellen Terry
8th March 1897
Just time for three lines. Get anyone but me to read that play to you if you dare. What do they know about it? I dont believe all the brutal environment of that little story is real to you; but it is to me. Ted isnt brutal enough for Richard’s outbursts of savagery. Candida—a play which you’ve forgotten, but which you once read —has the part for him. The woman’s part is not so difficult where she has anything to say; but the listening to the court martial—the holding on to the horror through all the laughing—that will be the difficulty. No: I wont rewrite that last act unless you tell me exactly how: I’d rather write you another play.
Mrs Webb and Miss P. T. [Payne-Townshend] want to know whether you would really come to Woking and, if so, whom you’d like to have to meet you—a bishop or a politician or a philosopher. I can be sent up to town if necessary (I fancy I see myself going—just). They want to watch our embarrassment when we meet.
What ought I to do with that play? That is, if Forbes [Johnston Forbes-Robertson] wont have it?
Take care of your, reviving strength. I presumed on mine the other evening to ride eight or nine miles at wild speed on the bike; and next morning I was again a wreck.
Post hour—ever dearest—
G. B. S.
50/ Ellen Terry to Bernard Shaw
13th March 1897
. . . “Gentleman!” Oh that word! Some day define the term, not for me privately, but for your readers.
To me “Gentleman” has always meant the highest and best. I think it must mean differently to different people. . .
I’m back from Margate. Still not well. Isnt it maddening? And I’m longing to get my work by the throat. When do you go to Woking? Soft Woking, so sweetly smelling. I very nearly wrote and thanked those ladies for their kindness in wishing me to share the rest and quiet of the place. Then I remembered how once before I was idiot enough to simply believe you serious when you put your sad and distracted condition before me and how I so nearly ran round to Fitzroy Square, and actually did get as far as writing you a most heartshaken blithering idiot’s letter. Oh, I’ll never forgive myself nor will you ever forgive me for being so dull.
Only, only I dont in the least mind being laughed at by you! Oh, did you think I meant Ted when I said I thought T. would make a great effect in Richard? I meant [William] Terriss! He would not understand all the things he had to say (!) but (with the last act disciplined into shape) the Play and he together would be a frantic success. No, Master Bernie, I have not forgotten Candida, and you know it!
It appears to me your Haymarket Play is splendidly cast. (You told me if you remember.) That will be a great success. It must be.
Darling! I havent said that yet! And now I’ll say it again. Good-bye,
Darling!
[Ellen Terry]
51/ To an American stage actress Mrs Richard Mansfield née Beatrice Cameron
26th March 1897
My dear Mrs Mansfield
. . . As you say, I have no faith in anything or anybody. I am savage about “Candida” because it was Richard’s business to have made a good deal out of that play and out of Miss Achurch, instead of letting her make a good deal out of him, giving him nothing for it, and having grievance against him into the bargain. It was a mere matter of management, including the management of me. He should never let himself be associated with a breakdown of any kind. He should establish himself as the maker of success—other people’s success; the founder of reputations—other people’s reputations; the Bank of England of the whole profession. Then he wont have to fight his way to the centre: he will be the centre. But he doesn’t see this: he thinks that anybody can manage but that only a genius can act; whereas the truth is that anybody can act, but that only an able man can manage. . . .
yrs sincerely
G. Bernard Shaw
52/ Ellen Terry to Bernard Shaw
14th April 1897
Many thanks for your words about Edy [Edith Craig]. I fear I didnt make my meaning plain if you think I want you to “find an opening for her.” No, but I suppose you usually “cast” your own plays, and I want you only to MENTION Edith Craig as being fit for this or that ever-so-small-a-part. . . .
E.T.
53/ To Ellen Terry
16 April 1897
. . . Did I say “find an opening for Edy”? I apologize. I withdraw. I abase myself—you wretch: that was precisely what you ordered me to keep my eyes open for. She wants an opening ten times more than if she had no mother. Do you remember—or did you ever hear of—the obscurity of Mozart’s son? An amiable man, a clever musician, an excellent player; but hopelessly extinguished by his father’s reputation. How could any man do what was expected from Mozart’s son? Not Mozart himself even. Look at Siegfried Wagner. Ellen Terry’s daughter! Awful! Is Ted anything of a comedian? I want comedians.
Suppose this “You Never Can Tell” succeeds sufficiently to make it practically certain that a dozen matinees of a new cheap play by me would pay their way. Well, get somebody to finance a dozen matinees