signed Softcover
1983 · London
by WESKER, Arnold
London: Methuen Student Edition, 1983. Softcover. Near Fine. First edition thus. 12mo. Perfect bound in glossy wrappers with price sticker on the back. A touch cocked, else fine. Signed and additionally Inscribed by Wesker to Tony Award-winning actress Marian Seldes, with more than 20 pages of Wesker's ink emendations. The lengthy message, dated December 11, 1985, takes up the entire inside front wrap and reads, in part: "As you will see - not only is this version different from the one we performed ... it also contains subsequent alterations which I keep making. I even made one today while I was preparing this copy for you ... One day this play will come into its own. Love and affection Arnold." The original 1977 production of the play starred Zero Mostel in a reinterpretation of Shylock from Shakespeare with Seldes playing his sister. Tragically, Mostel died after the first preview performance and was replaced by an ill-suited understudy. Seldes was Wesker's pillar of support during the stressful production, and the two formed a strong bond that last long after the play closed its one week run. A wonderful association with the original lead actress and the playwright who refused to give up on his play.
(Inventory #: 421605)