William Poel letter to Reginald Pole, 1926 November 5

              2007-03Nov 5th 1926 85 Howard's Lane, Putney.London, S.W.15 England.Enclosures 3 Sheets and CircularsMy dear Regie- I am sending you some particulars of our Francis play, because I think the leading part would appeal to you. Nor do I believe that any other actors but you and Courtenay Thorpe would be successful in a part of the kind.In spite of all the drawbacks connected with giving only one performance the play has made a deep impression, not so much in the press, because there were only three of them in fact - owing to the Drama League conference taking place the same morning! But there was a good house and sixty pounds taken at the doors, and never since Everyman has there been so notable a collection of letters from people whose opinions count.Tery Bertran was was in front whom you may know by name, he took Wynham and Forbes Robertson round America. He has secured from me the right to dispose of the play in America in return for cash because I want the money to allow of my giving some more performances of the play over here.But I made it a condition that he should offer you the first refusal of the play, and arrange that for a nominal sum you should be able to buy the play without being hampered by any conditions or royalties, as regards American acting rights. And also that you can make any alterations or additions to the play you like provided you make your acknowledgement for such portions of my play as you use. I make this latter concession because