Add MS 89246/1

The file consists of letters and cards from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand and her mother Marie Brema, 1892-1937, chiefly during the years 1904-1905, when Brand was cast as Gloria Candon in Shaw’s You Never Can Tell, at the Royal Court Theatre, with a theatre programme, and a letter from G. K. Chesterton to Émile Cammaerts, later the husband of Tita Brand. Contents as follows.

Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Marie Brema, 22 July 1892. Replying to an invitation to the opera that evening – mentions the opera Elaine by Herman Bemberg.

Letters and cards to Tita Brand and Marie Brema, 1904-1905. The correspondence relates mainly to Tita Brand’s part as Gloria Clandon in Shaw’s play You Never Can Tell, performed at the Royal Court Theatre, June 1905; a disagreement about her appearing in two other plays during the same season (Othello, and Renaissance); and the poor stage relationship between Tita Brand and Harley Granville Barker. As follows:

• Autograph letter from George Bernard Shaw to Marie Brema, 31 October 1904. Unavailability of tickets for first night of his play.
• Autograph letter from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, 30 November 1904. Response to her request for a part in one of his plays.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, 6 December 1904. On the possibility of her taking the role of Gloria.
• Autograph card to Tita Brand, 2 February 1905. Suggesting a meeting.
• Typescript letter from George Bernard Shaw to Tita (“Apostita”) Brand, 21 February 1905. Request to put off Othello, or give up her role in You Never Can Tell, requesting reply by return.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to (?) Tita Brand, 21 February 1905. On the timing of the productions.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, 22 February 1905. On the timing of the productions.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, 22 February 1905. States that he has written to Edinburgh (to Marie Brema?) to urge postponement of Othello to October.
• Typescript letter signed by George Bernard Shaw to Marie Brema, 22 February 1905. Arguments against Brand’s appearance in two plays simultaneously and uging postponement of Othello.
• Typescript letter signed by George Bernard Shaw to Marie Brema, 27 February 1905. Reiterates arguments for her postponing Othello, and stating his intention to cast another actress to replace Brand as Gloria.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, from Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, stamped 11 Aug 1905. States that no further performances of You Never Can Tell announced because of the poor relationship between Brand and Granville Barker (the two romantic leads) on stage.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Marie Brema, from Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, stamped 13 Aug 1905.
• Autograph letter from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, from Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, 17 August 1905. On the relationship between Brand and Granville Barker as the romantic leads in You Never Can Tell.
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, [1905?]
• Autograph card from George Bernard Shaw to Marie Brema, 27 December 1905.
• Autograph letter from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, 29 December 1905. On socialism and her character failings.

Autograph letter to Marie Brema, 27 July 1906. Tita’s trouble-making between Marie Brema and Shaw’s wife, Charlotte Frances Shaw.

Typescript letter to Tita Brand, 7 February 1907. Jocular replies to her questions on socialism.

Autograph letter from Charlotte Frances Shaw to Marie Brema, 4 July 1910. Refusal to an invitation; favourable remarks on a production of Orpheus.

Autograph letter from George Bernard Shaw to Tita Brand, 7 December 1937, in envelope addressed to Mrs Emile Cammaerts (her married name). Apology for failing to answer earlier letter; Shaw’s position on RADA council; arrangement to meet 15 December.

Autograph letter from G. K. Chesterton to Émile Cammaerts, [1916?]. Thanks for a poem, reference to his brother’s brief leave at Christmas.

Theatrical programme for You never can tell, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, 12 June 1905 for three weeks, with Tita Brand and Granville Barker (mentioned in correspondence)