Letter from Sir Henry Augustus Robinson to Thomas Nally, 2 April 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Henry Augustus Robinson

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Henry Robinson writes to Thomas Nally stating that he has read his play, the Spancel of Death, remarking that it is 'powerful' and 'held me spell bound'. He points out an historical inaccuracy in the play but concludes that the play will be a great success if staged. The Spancel of Death was due to open on easter Tuesday at the Abbey theater. It was postponed due to the Easter Rising. Sir Henry Augustus Robinson (1857–1927) was an Irish public servant. He was primarily responsible for the drafting and implementation of the local government act of 1898, and shortly before the bill became law was appointed vice-president of the Local Government Board.

 National Library of Ireland Thomas Nally Papers; MS 36,213/4-6a-c https://letters1916.ie/item/3030 English Henry Augustus Robinson 1916-04-02 Lisnacarrig, Foxrock, Dublin, Ireland Thomas Nally Male 1927 Culture and the Arts Culture and the Arts

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 TELEPHONE 13 FOXROCK LISNACARRIG, FOXROCK, Co.DUBLIN. 2. Apr 1916 My dear Sir I have read your play & think it is the most powerful & romantic thing I have ever read. It held me spell bound. I wonder if the Abbey people have any woman in their company capable of doing justice to the role of Sibly Cottle— It would need a Maire O'Neill. My wife remembers Biddy Holian the last of the witches race, & she had a bad name — an inheritance I suppose from Judy. Old Sir Harry Lynch Blosses evil reputation was is a tradition in the family even now and my wife tells me that when her fathers generation suffered from gout or other ailment or misfortune & they always regarded it as a visitation for the sins of Sir Harry. There is one little mistake you made which is a pity in a story which is otherwise historically accurate. You made th Lord Oranmore the person who is arranging the marriage with Altamounts daughter. Now the Oranmore peerage was only created in 1836 and Sir Harry's period was nearly 100 years earlier. The play will create a great sensation if properly staged. The dialogues are so natural that I can almost hear the people speaking. Wishing you every luck with it & with many thanks for your courtesy in letting me see it. I remain Yours truly H A Robinson I omitted to mention that my wife doesn't see any reason why any of her family shd object to the play. I will register it & send it back tomorrow Henry Augustus Robinson Letter from Sir Henry Augustus Robinson to Thomas Nally, 2 April 1916 Thomas Nally Letter from Thomas Nally to WB Yeats, 9 January 1916.Postcard from St John Ervine to Thomas Nally, 14 Jan. 1916Copy of letter from Henry A. Robinson to Thomas Nally, 2 April 1916Letter from Sir Henry A Robinson to Thomas Nally, 6 April 1916Letter from Sir Henry Augustus Robinson to Thomas Nally, 2 April 1916 Lisnacarrig, Foxrock, Dublin, Ireland Copy of letter from Henry A. Robinson to Thomas Nally, 2 April 1916Letter from Sir Henry Augustus Robinson to Thomas Nally, 2 April 1916