Thanks Brophy for sending him the papers, says Brophy “certainly carried on a rigorous epistolary campaign”. Does not know whether or not the date has been fixed for Brophy’s new play, but he will see that Brophy’s paragraphs go in to the directors and also in the other evening papers and weeklies. Says he hopes to get Brophy’s play read this week, and that they had an exceptional week with “The Mineral Workers”, and that it was a success. Says “don’t forget the photographs”.
Says they had Ray's play down for revival during the previous month but had so much new work to get through that they were not able to do it. Says Allgood and O’Donovan will be gone for most of March so unless they come back the last week they won’t be able to do it until autumn. Says he liked the new ending of the play (Martin Whelan) but that Brophy hadn’t made Whelan and the girl’s conversations human enough yet. Says he thought of asking him to try again but thought that in rehearsal he could alter some things. Mentions he is glad to hear that Brophy has a new play. 1911 is written in pencil in the top right-hand corner. Ray’s name appears in the letterhead for the first time. This is the first typed letter to Ray on Abbey letterhead.
Thanks Brophy for sending him a program, says he found a copy of it in the office. Says they might revive Whelan in Easter week, or the week after, but he is unsure. Says he is glad to hear the new play is getting on well. W.A. Henderson is no longer listed as secretary in the Abbey letterhead, no secretary at all.
Asks if it would be possible for Brophy to buy some “rough suits, such as the country people wear”. Says he thinks he could get them in the market in Cork. Says they want some new ones for their wardrobe, and they don’t need to be made of all the same material. Says he would like about five suits, and four of “those white flannel jackets, such as the country people wear.” Says it is impossible to get those things in Dublin, and if Brophy succeeds in buying them he will send him a check.
Says he has not yet seen “Gombeenism”, but will ask Yeats to show it to him. Says that Yeats thought it would be good “when somewhat altered”, and that they may be able to get to it in the autumn when they are in Dublin and are able to put on new work. Also says he doesn't know if they will be able to put on Martin Whelan before they go to England, but not to be too discouraged because he thinks Whelan is good except for some of the speeches of the principal characters which he describes as “unlifelike”. Asks Brophy not to grudge him for producing a new play, that he has not done one for two years and if Brophy’s new play is put on in the autumn it would be “just the same rate of progression”. Abbey stationery is drastically different (simpler) from 1911.
A detailed critique of "Gombeenism" compared to "The Casting Out of Martin Whelan", such as plot and character that were stronger in Whelan. Also mentions meeting with Yeats to discuss Ray's play and most recent changes. 1912 is written in pencil in the top right-hand corner. Letter is handwritten by Robinson
Says he encloses Martin Whelan, “as nothing definite has been settled about it”. Says that Robinson and the company are in Harrogate for the week but are coming back the next Monday. Letterhead has returned to the style from 1911
Says in reply to Ray's letter, they planned the Cork program and cannot alter it
Entries include reports on his family, what books he is reading at the time, and what he is doing for the newspaper. Includes accounts of his interactions with the Abbey Theatre, his play "The Casting-out of Martin Whelan", newspaper clippings, accounts of meeting notable figures such as W.B. Yeats, George Moore, etc.
Assorted items relating to the Abbey Theatre