Louis Esson, Australian dramatist and poet : autograph letter, signed, mentioning a forthcoming poduction of one of his plays. Carlton, Melbourne, early 1920s.

1 page, small quarto (200 x 170 mm), manuscript in ink on faint-ruled writing paper; headed ’67 Queensberry St. Carlton, Wed.’ (but no precise date), addressed ‘Dear Dave’, and signed at the foot ‘With all good wishes, I am Yours sincerely, Louis Esson’; Esson writes: ‘Do you think you will be around some afternoon at the Savage Club! If you have an hour to spare I should like to have a yarn with you. We are bringing out a play on May 18 and 20, and we are busy at rehearsals. I trust you are in good form, and not causing too great an influx of Pommies into the country….’; original horizontal and vertical folds, light creasing.

The play which Melbourne writer and political activist Louis Esson mentions in this unpublished letter, addressed to a correspondent identified only as “Dave”, was probably one of his own works written for the Pioneer Players. Esson’s wife, Hilda, was actively involved in the Pioneer Players as an actor.

‘In July 1921 the Essons returned to Melbourne, where they renewed their friendship with Vance and Nettie Palmer and laid the basis for the Pioneer Players, an organization dedicated to performing Australian plays; Hilda acted in these productions. The Pioneer Players’ first performances were in 1922: Esson’s The Drovers, a spare, atmospheric bush play in one act, was staged in 1923. Their last production, after a two-year gap, was Esson’s The Bride of Gospel Place, performed in June 1926.’ (ADB)