I am asst. literary manager of a theatre. We are interested in producing "The Knacker's ABC" but have been unable to find out who has the rights to the Simon Watson Taylor translation -- Dramatists Play Service and Sam French have nothing on it; the agent listed in the published script no longer exists, and there is no record of his existence; the Dramatists Guild has no record of Simon Taylor or his estate, nor does the Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center. Any ideas?

Thanks!

-- Faye Jackson (FayeJaay@aol.com), June 08, 2000

Answers

This is very intriguing - a veritable volcanic upsurge of intrest in Vian's plays...

Simon Watson Taylor was involved in the Evergreen Review stuff on pataphysics. The Knacker's ABC is a methuen playscript. Jean Jaques Pauvert is mentioned as French copyright holder. (1965) The translation by SWT first appeared in 1968 published by Grove Pres NY. Copyright SWT. Published in UK by Methuen 11 New Fetter Lane London EC4. Performance rights in the english version held (or in some way controlled) apparently by Eric Glass Ltd 28 Berkely Square London W1X6HD. Empire Builders staged at the Arts Theatre 1962. The General's Tea party at the Harrogate Festival and the Jeanetta Cochrane Theatre in 1966.

-- Robert Whyte (rob@toadshow.com.au), June 08, 2000.

Simon's an old friend, now living in London, if you need to contact him I can easily arrange this though he doesn't have email...

-- Alastair Brotchie (atlaspress@compuserve.com), May 13, 2002.