The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

MILLER RECALLS THEATRE OF CHILDHOOD & YOUTH
143. miller, henry. The Theatre - 15 page holograph manuscript, signed. 15 page holograph manuscript,
signed. Accompanied by a 10 page original typescript with holograph corrections by Miller, and a 2
photocopies of the same.
No place: [c.1978]
Miller recalls the theatre of his childhood and youth, with vivid details of his colorful memories:
“My earliest remembrance of any theatre is that of the vaudeville house called `The Novelty’
not far from out home on Driggs Avenue, Williamsburg. Every Saturday my mother would
give me a dime to buy a seat in `Nigger Heaven’, as the gallery was called. I was then seven
or eight years old. If there were any comedians in those days I don’t recall them, or else their
jokes were over my head. Mainly there were acrobats, trick cyclists, magicians and such like...
It’s during my adolescence (12-15 years of age) that I become aware of all the theatres there are
or were in Brooklyn. By this time we are living in the Bushwick section, not so very far from
Evergreen Cemetery, and Trommer’s Beer Garden...I discovered that in the East New York
section there were several 10-20-30 theatres, featuring shows like `Bertha the Sewing Machine
Girl’ or `The Two Orphans.’...The Neighborhood Playhouse had the same authenticity but was
more sophisticated and could afford well-trained actors. I recall vividly my first visit - they were
giving a play by a well-known British author who had encouraged Joseph Conrad to be a writer
and to write in English rather than
Polish or French. It happened
that night that the leading actress
was the beautiful, mature wife of
the well- known Richard Bennett.
The scene which electrified me
was of her sitting in her boudoir
before her make-up table, dressed
rather scantily and glorious to
behold. What got me was that she
sat there, looking at herself in the
mirror and never uttering a word.
Everything that passed through her
mind was registered in her facial
expressions. Shadows flitted across
her face, her eyes flashed, her teeth
shone white and bright, her hands
made gesticulating movements. It
was hallucinating. I had never seen
such acting before. And so, when
I arrived home, I sat down and
wrote her a eulogistic letter. I must
have put a return address on the
envelope because in short order I
received a most gracious invitation
from her to come visit her in her
dressing room....” Fine - a great,
lengthy piece containing some
of Miller’s sweetest childhood
Lot 143
memories. Near fine.
(2000/3000)
144. miller, henry. Miriam Painter - holograph manuscript and related materials. Includes: 4 page holograph
manuscript of the work. * 3 page typescript with holograph corrections. * 1 page of holograph notes
by Miller to his secretary and son.
[Pacific Palisades]: [1979]
Fine.
Page 72
(200/300)