[Percy Nash, film director; his nephew Bournemouth artist Eustace Nash.] Two synopses (one signed) of Percy Nash's review 'The Charm', with text of anti-Labour and pro-Churchill song. With watercolour of backdrop and covering letter by Eustace Nash.

An interesting period piece. Two synopses of Percy Nash's review 'The Charm', the second dated by him to 1951, and with reference to the nationalisation of the coal industry. Together with the typescript of a song from the play about the 'Man of Might' Winston Churchill, and the Labour Party, who 'Have sullied the Fair name | of dear old England'. Also present is a watercolour drawing by Percy Nash's nephew the Bournemouth artist Eustace Nash of the intended backdrop to the first act of the review, together with an ALS discussing his ideas for the design of the piece. There is no record of 'The Charm' having been produced, and it is so dated that the 82-year-old Nash would appear to have spiced up a pre-war version with topical references in the 1951 version. The material is in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. The political element to the material is especially interesting, as Percy Nash's career as a film maker was effectively ended following teh screening of his 1921 film 'How Kitchener was betrayed'. ONE: Typed synopsis of the first act [of 'The Charm'], followed by a full-page list of fourteen 'Proposed Musical Numbers'. 7pp, 4to, with the synopsis paginated 2-7. Emendations in autograph, together with the following at the head of the first page: 'So long as Merlins gift remains | Within the Ellsmere Walls | So long Prosperity & Wealth | To cheer those stately Halls | But if the talisman departs | for distant climes to roam | ruin will shame the noble name | Until it cometh home'. Among information typed at the beginning of the first page, before the text of he synopsis, are the following details: 'ACT 1 The Keep of Castle Ellesmere. | Period 1400 A.D. | Act 2. The Same Picturesquley [sic] Delapidated. | Period 1912'. TWO: Autograph synopsis of 'Act 2' [of 'The Charm']. 2pp, 12mo. On two leaves of ruled paper. Couplet, clearly intended for the play, on reverse of second leaf. Includes reference to: 'The Son of the Baron fresh from Oxford (a new Character) with his Chum. (a character light comedian) Hugh Beauclerc. played by the same actor as in Act I'. THREE: Later typed synopsis of 'The Charm', 'A Romantic Play with Music', signed by at the end 'Percy Nash'. Dated at head of first page 'Jan 1951'. 7pp, 8vo. Each of the two acts separately paginated (Act I, 4pp; Act 2, 3pp). A handful of minor autograph emendations, including a dating of the play to 'AD 1560'. The second act contains some topical references: '[The Earl] tells the Baron of their losses since the Charm went, and amongst the greatest is a Coal Mine under his property having run dry and the Government refusing to take it over in the Nationalising Scheme.' and 'The Government officials in making a last survey of the Emslee Coal Mine have discovered a valuable seam which will enable them to make a profitable investment, they will therefore purchase it and offer The Earl of Ellsmere the post of Chairman of the District Board.' FOUR: Typed page of verse [from 'The Charm'], headed 'A MAM [sic] OF MIGHT'. 1p, 4to. Top copy with two carbon copies, on one of which PN has written: 'Female Palace Scene | Requires strict rehearsal'. The 'man of might' is Winston Churchill, come to restore 'our Fair Land' to 'Her glory'. Includes the following refrain: 'Atlee, Morrison, | Sgokes [sic] and Shinwell too, | Gaitskill, Strachey, | To number just a few. | The Labour Party, on the whole, | With their motley crew, | Have sullied the Fair name | of dear old England. | But, there's a Star | Still shining through the night | A Statesman who can put the matter right,'. This is followed by: 'Voices in audience. WINSTON CHURCHILL | Soloist. He's our Man of Might. | To bring nack [sic] PEACE with HONOUR | To OLD ENGLAND.' FIVE: Autograph Letter Signed from Eustace Nash, signing as 'Stacie', to his uncle Percy Nash. The letter addressed to 'P. Cromwell Nash Esq. | 2 Bristol Court W | Brighton', and the salutation to 'Dear Uncle Percy'. He is sending '2 Colour Sketches of Sets for Acts 1 & 2 of "The Charm"' (one of which is present here as the next item), which he hopes 'will be on the lines suggested in your "Script".' He discusses technical points relating to '"The Drawbridge" set' and the 'actual area of "backcloth", and suggests changes. The letter ends in the hope that 'you and Aunt Jessie are well, I see by the paper, you had sunshine over the week-end whilst London was in "fog" [...] Love to Aunt Jessie & yourself from Lester [his brother and partner] & self'. SIX: 19.5 x 25 cm watercolour drawing of the set of 'ACT I' [of 'The Charm'], signed at bottom right 'EUSTACE NASH'. View from castle battlements of keep, with river and ship in background.