A copy-typescript of “A Cry of Players”

[William SHAKESPEARE & Anne BANCROFT]. - William GIBSON (1914-2008).

A copy-typescript of “A Cry of Players” printed by Hart Multi-Copy Inc., of West 42nd Street , N.Y. [undated, but 1968]. Quarto (11 x 8 1/2in; 280 x 216mm), 165 pages (recto only of 165 leaves). Plasticized card wrappers, titled on the upper cover (small split to upper wrapper). Provenance: Patricia Quinn Stuart (1938-2010, theatrical costume designer, signature ‘Pat Stuart’ and pencilled notes about costumes for various characters).

The costume designer’s copy of Gibson’s play about the life of Shakespeare as a young man. The play opened in Stockbridge on 24 July 1968, starring Frank Langella as ‘Will’ and Anne Bancroft as Anne Hathaway. It transferred to Broadway and ran for 72 performances between 14 November 1968 and 15 February 1969.

‘A Cry of Players is a drama by William Gibson, first performed in 1968, that portrays the young adult life of William Shakespeare. The title comes from Hamlet… The original production opened … at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The show was directed by Gene Frankel.

The show transferred to Broadway to the Repertory Theatre, Lincoln Center and premiered on November 14, 1968. The crew was made up by set design David Hays, costume design Patricia Quinn Stewart, and lighting design John Gleason. Frankel would also direct. Understudies were Ruth Attaway (Meg), Frank Bayer (Arthur), James Cook (Kemp), Leslie Graves (Susanna), Douglas Hayle (Heming), Robert Levine (Richards, Gilbert, Berry), Marilyn Lightstone (Anne), Robert Molock (Pope), William Myers (Hodges, Roche, Old John), Robert Phalen (Will), Robert Stattel (Sandells), and Barbette Tweed (Jenny). The show played in repertoire with William Shakespeare's King Lear.’ (wikipedia).