Milne, A. A. (Alan Alexander), 1882-1956 / 2008-07-25 00:00:00
EBOOK, FIRST PLAYS ***
FIRST PLAYS
by A. A. Milne
TO MY MOTHER
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
WURZEL-FLUMMERY
THE LUCKY ONE
THE BOY COMES HOME
BELINDA
THE RED FEATHERS
INTRODUCTION
These five plays were written, in the order in which they appear
now, during the years 1916 and 1917. They would hardly have been
written had it not been for the war, although only one of them is
concerned with that subject. To his other responsibilities the
Kaiser now adds this volume.
For these plays were not the work of a professional writer, but
the recreation of a (temporary) professional soldier. Play-writing
is a luxury to a journalist, as insidious as golf and much more
expensive in time and money. When an article is written, the
financial reward (and we may as well live as not) is a matter of
certainty. A novelist, too, even if he is not in "the front rank"--
but I never heard of one who wasn't--can at least be sure of
publication. But when a play is written, there is no certainty of
anything save disillusionment.
To write a play, then, while I was a journalist seemed to me a
depraved proceeding, almost as bad as going to Lord's in the
morning. I thought I could write one (we all think we can), but I
could not afford so unpromising a gamble. But once in the Army the
case was altered.
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