Add MS 81329 A

John Gielgud Archive. Cased notebook with records of programmes of plays at the 'New Mars', written out and decorated by the young Gielgud with red and black ink flourishes; 1913-1919. There are two 'title-pages'. The first reads: 'Royal Mars Theatre W.1. Under the patronage of HM King George. Vol. 1 Programmes. This book has been arranged by A. J. Gielgud as a companion volume to Book 2, which consists of a list of criticisms of plays produced at this house.' The other introductory page reads: 'The New Mars Theatre in Trafalgar Square W.1 erected between April 1912 and March 1913. Volume 1 a list of plays produced between 1913 and 19 under the joint management of Messrs. V.H. and A.J. Gielgud of 7, Gledhow Hardens London S.W.5.' The book gives details of thirty-seven plays almost all written or adapted by John Gielgud and/or his brother Val, ending with 'Hunted down'. There are another fifteen titles listed on a page headed 'List of programmes from April 23^rd 1913 onwards', details of which do not appear in the notebook. There is evidence of some pages having been clumsily torn out of the notebook in the middle and at the end and it is possible but unlikely that these plays could have been detailed there.