- Brief description
- Letter, from Charles Dickens to Miss Fanny Kelly, 25 December 1845
- Label
- In this letter written on Christmas Day, Dickens writes to actress Fanny Kelly with detailed instructions for his theatre company's performances of The Elder Brother and Comfortable Lodgings. The performances were for charity. Kelly had been Dickens's leading lady in earlier performances that autumn. Dickens mentions that 'Charley' (his son, Charles Jr) was well-rehearsed for his role.
- Collection
- Archives & Manuscripts
- Object number
- A511
- Object type
- letter
- Production person
- Dickens, Charles
- Production date
- 25/12/1845
- Inscription content
- Miss Kelly | 73 Dean Street | Soho.
Devonshire Terrace | Christmas Day 1845.
My Dear Miss Kelly.
In addition to my other tickets, will you book (as friends of mine: for good places--a second row in the best boxes would do well for these two) Mr. and Mrs. Powell.
Will you instruct Charles when he comes on Saturday Night, to look, between that time and the Play, to all the Grooves and so forth, that everything may run smoothly and well? The Gasman, too, should see to the Border battens. Will you also take care, in good time, that the orchestra does us credit? Moreover will you exert yourself about the Properties: and also about an intelligent boy to take care of them, and to act as Callboy too?
The Butler in the play--who, in the fourth act says one speech as "Servant". Will you secure the man you spoke of for this--give him his part--and tell him to go to Nathan, and be measured for his dress? He should be called for Saturday.
I want everything to be well done; and, the time being short, am getting very nervous.
Faithfully Yours Always
CHARLES DICKENS
Miss Kelly
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