Item 68 - "Statement for the northern press", typescript, signed [never sent], by Beaton

Accuses Wolfit's behaviour of having been "consistently and deliberately damaging" to the production. A "greedy actor", he inserted "coarse" speeches of his own into the play. Although he rehearsed for three weeks he did not return his signed contract to the management and used this as a threat to leave the production at any time. His performance on the opening night at Newcastle was appalling. When Beaton asked him to remove his speeches he flew into a rage and threatened to get a doctor's certificate. When Beaton thanked him for his second night's more sober performance Wolfit rebuffed him. The next day Beaton agreed to rewrite the play according to Wolfit's suggestions but Wolfit called the Press to say he wished to quit the show, which was disastrous for the Box Office. At no time Wolfit seemed mindful of the other actors and people involved in the production.