Wednesday, February 15th., Rue de Grenelle, Paris.
I got as far as the death of Mrs. Lessways in "Hilda Lessways" on Sunday afternoon, and sent off the stuff as a specimen to Pinker yesterday. 33,000 words. During this time I haven't had sufficient courage to keep a journal. I suspect that I have been working too hard for 5 weeks regularly. I feel it like an uncomfortable physical sensation all over the top of my head. A very quick sweating walk of half an hour will clear it off, but this may lead, and does lead, to the neuralgia of fatigue and insomnia and so on, and I have to build myself up again with foods. And my digestion is unstable. This afternoon I was experiencing sharp pains in the stomach, and couldn't venture far from the toilet. I have decided to eat nothing else today.
Yesterday I signed the contract with Vedrenne and Eadie for "The Honeymoon" at the Royal Theatre.
Showing posts with label Dennis Eadie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dennis Eadie. Show all posts
Friday, 15 February 2019
Saturday, 29 December 2018
Gloomy
Wednesday, December 29th., Comarques, Thorpe-le-Soken.
I was much fatigued after Christmas having slept poorly throughout. And on Christmas day I gave my annual dinner at Claridge's - vast crowd; two lounges added to the restaurant; many family parties; extremely noisy with many crackers and much throwing of paper missiles. But still I managed to do some work on my novel in the afternoon of Boxing Day.
Yesterday we were in London and after dinner I went out to be polite to the members of the "Milestones" company. Eadie was very gloomy. He is of course fully aware that I was against his appointment to be producer of this revival and so we are never more than polite to each other. Stella Jessie, Ada Barton and two others were the gayest. Stella asked me whether I could tell her what old gentlemen with long beards did with their beards when they took a bath. Hardly great wit but I said that a long beard may cover a multitude of sins in the bath. She laughed. It was that sort of occasion.
The front-of-house-manager displayed the usual illogical optimism in face of a poor house. The night was awful and the audience thin and 'chilly' according to Eadie - hence his gloom. Perhaps that accounted for the atmosphere in the dressing-rooms. I think that Harben was the only realist in the assembly.
Today I lunched alone, dined at home, and wrote 2,100 words of my novel. Not bad words I think, but they did not come easily.
I shall be glad when the 'holiday' period is over.
I was much fatigued after Christmas having slept poorly throughout. And on Christmas day I gave my annual dinner at Claridge's - vast crowd; two lounges added to the restaurant; many family parties; extremely noisy with many crackers and much throwing of paper missiles. But still I managed to do some work on my novel in the afternoon of Boxing Day.
Yesterday we were in London and after dinner I went out to be polite to the members of the "Milestones" company. Eadie was very gloomy. He is of course fully aware that I was against his appointment to be producer of this revival and so we are never more than polite to each other. Stella Jessie, Ada Barton and two others were the gayest. Stella asked me whether I could tell her what old gentlemen with long beards did with their beards when they took a bath. Hardly great wit but I said that a long beard may cover a multitude of sins in the bath. She laughed. It was that sort of occasion.The front-of-house-manager displayed the usual illogical optimism in face of a poor house. The night was awful and the audience thin and 'chilly' according to Eadie - hence his gloom. Perhaps that accounted for the atmosphere in the dressing-rooms. I think that Harben was the only realist in the assembly.
Today I lunched alone, dined at home, and wrote 2,100 words of my novel. Not bad words I think, but they did not come easily.
I shall be glad when the 'holiday' period is over.
Thursday, 1 November 2018
Worrying
Monday, November 1st., Cadogan Square, London.
I concocted a film plot this evening, in the streets, between 5.15 and 7.15, after spending most of the day in worrying about the proposals and cast for the revival of "Milestones". I first heard of this affair on Wednesday last, from Eric Pinker on the phone. He had just heard of it; but negotiations had previously been going on between Eadie and Bright (on behalf of Knoblock). I refused to agree to Eadie being the producer, and wanted to cable Knoblock. Miss Nerney however learnt on the phone form Bright that Knoblock had left no address and that Bright had power of attorney and that Bright agreed to Eadie being the producer. So I agreed.
I have it in my mind that if this revival fails then the reputation of the play will be damaged beyond repair. That is why I want Haidee Wright to get the part of Gertrude. She has the star quality to assure success. But why am I letting it worry me? If it is a success then I will make some money but if it fails I will be no worse off than before the idea was floated. I have noticed a growing tendency in myself to worry unnecessarily. Must try to keep things in perspective!
I concocted a film plot this evening, in the streets, between 5.15 and 7.15, after spending most of the day in worrying about the proposals and cast for the revival of "Milestones". I first heard of this affair on Wednesday last, from Eric Pinker on the phone. He had just heard of it; but negotiations had previously been going on between Eadie and Bright (on behalf of Knoblock). I refused to agree to Eadie being the producer, and wanted to cable Knoblock. Miss Nerney however learnt on the phone form Bright that Knoblock had left no address and that Bright had power of attorney and that Bright agreed to Eadie being the producer. So I agreed.
I have it in my mind that if this revival fails then the reputation of the play will be damaged beyond repair. That is why I want Haidee Wright to get the part of Gertrude. She has the star quality to assure success. But why am I letting it worry me? If it is a success then I will make some money but if it fails I will be no worse off than before the idea was floated. I have noticed a growing tendency in myself to worry unnecessarily. Must try to keep things in perspective!
Friday, 13 June 2014
An offer
Wednesday, June 13th., Cadogan Square, London.
I was at the memorial service to Dennis Eadie at St. Martin in the Fields at 12.30. Sat with Mason and Miss Stevens. Then Viola Tree drove me to the Garrick Club so that I could see Gerald du Maurier about my (Faust) play. Gerald offered to accept my play without seeing it. I refused the offer; but promised to do the play as quickly as I could.
For more on Dennis Eadie see 'Mundane matters'
Additionally for June 13th., see 'La vie Parisienne'
I was introduced to Chichi, a young woman of the theatre, by a newspaper friend and she is often here. What a name she has! It is redolent of the very spirit of la vie de Boheme. She is wise in aspects of Parisian life (really interesting matters!) about which I have been both imaginatively and practically ignorant. She has recounted to me several of her experiences of 'sexual perversions'. Apparently they always wept afterwards! Yet she said to me: 'Mais tous est naturel.' The force of this observation struck me. She tells me that she and her colleagues of the theatre smoke cigarettes in the dressing room though there is now a decree against it. This follows the disaster in the Rue Jean Goujon when a hundred aristocratic dead were left in the flames started by the overturning of a cinematographic projector lamp. "Everyone does it," she says, "but there is an official search of all dressing rooms, etc., once a month by the firemen, and before that an attendant comes round and says to the artists: 'Kindly hide your matches, etc., as the pompiers will be here directly.' " The extraordinary humour of this does not seem to occur to her. I said: "C'est bien Parisien, ca!" She cynically and bitterly agreed that it was.
I was at the memorial service to Dennis Eadie at St. Martin in the Fields at 12.30. Sat with Mason and Miss Stevens. Then Viola Tree drove me to the Garrick Club so that I could see Gerald du Maurier about my (Faust) play. Gerald offered to accept my play without seeing it. I refused the offer; but promised to do the play as quickly as I could.
For more on Dennis Eadie see 'Mundane matters'
Additionally for June 13th., see 'La vie Parisienne'
I was introduced to Chichi, a young woman of the theatre, by a newspaper friend and she is often here. What a name she has! It is redolent of the very spirit of la vie de Boheme. She is wise in aspects of Parisian life (really interesting matters!) about which I have been both imaginatively and practically ignorant. She has recounted to me several of her experiences of 'sexual perversions'. Apparently they always wept afterwards! Yet she said to me: 'Mais tous est naturel.' The force of this observation struck me. She tells me that she and her colleagues of the theatre smoke cigarettes in the dressing room though there is now a decree against it. This follows the disaster in the Rue Jean Goujon when a hundred aristocratic dead were left in the flames started by the overturning of a cinematographic projector lamp. "Everyone does it," she says, "but there is an official search of all dressing rooms, etc., once a month by the firemen, and before that an attendant comes round and says to the artists: 'Kindly hide your matches, etc., as the pompiers will be here directly.' " The extraordinary humour of this does not seem to occur to her. I said: "C'est bien Parisien, ca!" She cynically and bitterly agreed that it was.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Being polite
Thursday, December 30th., George Street, London.
In spite of much fatigue after Xmas night, when I gave a dinner at Claridge's, I did some work on my novel in the afternoon.
Yesterday I lunched (alone) and dined at home and wrote 2,100 words, also of my novel.
After dinner I went out to the Royalty Theatre to be polite to the members of the "Milestones" company. Dennis Eadie was very gloomy. Stella Jessie, Ada Barton and two others were the gayest. Stella asked me whether I could tell her what old gentlemen with long beards did with their beards when they took a bath.
The front-of-the-house manager displayed the usual illogical optimism in face of a poor house. The night was awful and the audience thin and chilly (according to Eadie). Perhaps that accounted for the atmosphere of the dressing rooms. I think that Harben was the only realist in the assembly.
Additionally for December 30th., see 'Back to Burslem' -
http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/back-to-burslem.html
Walking through Burslem yesterday I saw two childs' funerals exactly of the same kind; a procession of five or six pairs of women in black with white trimmings; two pairs carried the small oak coffin which was covered with wreaths and which they held by white cords over their shoulders. Immediately behind the coffin, the chief mourners, in one case a man and a woman. The coffin occurred about the middle of the procession. These little forlorn, smug processions ambling towards the cemetery were very curious.
In spite of much fatigue after Xmas night, when I gave a dinner at Claridge's, I did some work on my novel in the afternoon.
Yesterday I lunched (alone) and dined at home and wrote 2,100 words, also of my novel.
After dinner I went out to the Royalty Theatre to be polite to the members of the "Milestones" company. Dennis Eadie was very gloomy. Stella Jessie, Ada Barton and two others were the gayest. Stella asked me whether I could tell her what old gentlemen with long beards did with their beards when they took a bath.
The front-of-the-house manager displayed the usual illogical optimism in face of a poor house. The night was awful and the audience thin and chilly (according to Eadie). Perhaps that accounted for the atmosphere of the dressing rooms. I think that Harben was the only realist in the assembly.
Additionally for December 30th., see 'Back to Burslem' -
http://earnoldbennett.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/back-to-burslem.html
Walking through Burslem yesterday I saw two childs' funerals exactly of the same kind; a procession of five or six pairs of women in black with white trimmings; two pairs carried the small oak coffin which was covered with wreaths and which they held by white cords over their shoulders. Immediately behind the coffin, the chief mourners, in one case a man and a woman. The coffin occurred about the middle of the procession. These little forlorn, smug processions ambling towards the cemetery were very curious.
Friday, 5 July 2013
Mundane matters
Friday, July 5th., Yacht Club, London.
Eleventh anniversary of our wedding yesterday. We dined at the Cafe Royal.
Raymond Needham came and lunched with me at Yacht Club, and told me much about Lord Beaverbrook and much as to his own private affairs.
On Wednesday night Eadie came to the flat and read two acts of "The Title" very well. The first act, though, I thought, consistently good, seemed a hell of a length.
I lost my food card.
Eleventh anniversary of our wedding yesterday. We dined at the Cafe Royal.
Raymond Needham came and lunched with me at Yacht Club, and told me much about Lord Beaverbrook and much as to his own private affairs.
"Right Ho Jeeves" by P.G. Wodehouse was dedicated "To Raymond Needham K.C. with affection and admiration"; Needham was a barrister who successfully defended Wodehouse in a tax case brought by the Inland Revenue.
On Wednesday night Eadie came to the flat and read two acts of "The Title" very well. The first act, though, I thought, consistently good, seemed a hell of a length.
Dennis Eadie (1869–1928) was a British stage actor who also appeared in three films during the silent era. Eadie was a leading actor of the British theatre, appearing in plays by Edward Knoblauch and Louis N. Parker. In 1916 he became the first man to play the British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli in a feature film.
I lost my food card.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)