{"product_id":"daviot-gordon-pseud-josephine-tey","title":"Daviot, Gordon. Pseud; Josephine Tey.    Richard of Bordeaux.","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e1933. Samuel French. Promotional copy. First Edition, 5th impression that year. Sold at the New Theatre in the foyer. Original belly band. Very Good Condition. Lightly tanned wrappers. Not price clipped. Remarkable in this condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA rare collector’s copy of the 1933 Samuel French Acting Edition of Richard of Bordeaux. This copy features the exceptionally scarce original orange promotional belly band stating: \"The play of the year at the New Theatre.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe band has been neatly folded inwards and preserved, maintaining its vibrant colour and preventing the typical tearing associated with this fragile ephemera. This play was the definitive theatrical event of 1933, famously launching Sir John Gielgud to superstardom. This edition is a must-have for collectors of Josephine Tey (writing as Gordon Daviot) or 20th-century British theatre history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe \"New Theatre\" run referenced on the band featured a \"who's who\" of British acting royalty:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRichard II: Played by John Gielgud. This was his \"breakthrough\" role. He also directed the production, which was praised for its minimalist, elegant aesthetic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAnne of Bohemia: Played by Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies. Her chemistry with Gielgud was a major draw for audiences; she was considered the premier lyrical actress of the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRobert de Vere: Played by Francis Lister.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHenry St. John (Bolingbroke): Played by Henry Mollison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eCostumes\/Sets: Designed by the famous trio Motley (Elizabeth Montgomery, Margaret Harris, and Sophie Harris). Their innovative designs for this play changed the look of English historical drama forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe play was so popular at the New Theatre that it ran for over a year. It was the \"Hamilton\" of its day—the production everyone \u003ci\u003ehad\u003c\/i\u003e to see—which is why Samuel French added that specific \"Play of the Year\" band to the scripts being sold in the foyer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Fsg96\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"j3tEEe\" data-serialized-params=\"[]\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\" data-sae=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Fsg96\" data-sfc-cp=\"\" data-complete=\"true\" data-processed=\"true\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Mrs Middlebrow's Bookshop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53569558315354,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/2260\/8986\/files\/RichardofBordeaux_e24bf0a2-7ed2-4018-b99e-e036fde4716f.jpg?v=1772114827","url":"https:\/\/mrsmiddleton.com\/products\/daviot-gordon-pseud-josephine-tey","provider":"Mrs Middlebrow's Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}