London: N.p., 1982

1p. TLS on headed notepaper. Faint central horizontal fold, two small stains to lower half. Very well preserved, lacking the original envelope.

1pp. TLS FROM LAURENCE OLIVIER TO LEO McKERN, WELCOMING HIM TO THE CAST OF KING LEAR.

In 1959, Laurence Olivier hired Leo McKern to direct the Australian play The Shifting Heartat the Nottingham Playhouse, in a co-production between London's Duke of Yorks theatre and Olivier's own company. Twenty-three years later the pair were cast together in Michael Elliott's made-for-TV production of King Lear, leading a cast which also included John Hurt, Colin Blakely, Diana Rigg and Brian Cox.

Olivier's welcome note, on his own headed stationery, reads:

'Dearest Leo [handwritten],

I have been meaning to write this ever since I heard the happy news to tell you how very delighted I am that we are to be togerther again on LEAR.

Thank you for making anticipation so pleasurable rather than so apprehensive.

[signed] Your Larry O.'

An affectionate letter, very well preserved.

Keywords: Laurence OLIVIER Leo McKERN"