Item #39054 A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969. THE LIVING THEATRE IN LONDON.
A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.
A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.
A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.
A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.
A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.
A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.

69.

THE LIVING THEATRE IN LONDON.

A small group of documents relating to The Living Theatre's visit to London and their series of performances at the Roundhouse, c. May 1969.

i) the first page of a typewritten letter from theatre producer Oscar Lewenstein to Jim Haynes, dated April 25, 1969, concerning information required for The Living Theatre's visit (Labour Permits etc.). Lengthy holograph text in purple felt-tip pen to verso by Jenny Hecht, ending: "Altruism (ALL-TRUE-ISM) is the first word of the new English alphabet" [signed] "Jenny Hecht". The daughter of screenwriter Ben Hecht and Judith Malina's closest friend in the company, Hecht died from a Seconal overdose in north Hollywood in March 1971.

ii) typewritten text by Jim Haynes, with mentions of Oscar Lewenstein and the company's sponsor, Victor Herbert ("who loaned me the initial £500 to start the International Times"), and their request that Haynes and Jack Henry Moore should "co-ordinate and publicise the Season"; outlines of plans for the Arts Lab to screen a number of Living Theatre films and "late night intimate Events at the Laboratory"; closing: "With Zappa and the Mothers, Buckminster Fuller, the California Hell's Angels and others scheduled to be in London in June, it promises to be one hell of a month."

iii) "219 Words to Quicken the Revolution". Autograph manuscript signed by Bill Levy + 3pp. holograph notes. A text on The Living Theatre written by Levy as publicity for their visit to London, subsequently published in the anarchist journal, Freedom.

iv) typed letter signed by Jack Henry Moore to Günter Pannewitz, dated May 12 (1969). Concerns plans for The Living Theatre's upcoming visit, including mention of a photographic exhibition (probably at the Arts Lab): "I am also sending floor plans and elevation of the Round House… It would be very good to know as soon as possible the exact date and time you are coming and on what boat… I would very much like for you to send me a list of all the people in the Company - a list which will go in the programme… I am really looking forward to your arrival. The housing thing is still not really settled but it does not look insurmountable" (the Theatre company ended up in a small hotel in Paddington, six to a room in bunk beds; when the manager threatened them with eviction for smoking marijuana several members of the troupe decamped to the Roundhouse dressing rooms). A year or so earlier Moore had formed The Human Family, an anarchist theatrical troupe not unlike The Living Theatre. Based at the Arts Lab, it toured Europe in a bus paid for by Jim Haynes, with a hired geodesic dome used for performances.

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