IRENE WORTH - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 07/26/1983 - HFSID 301122

IRENE WORTH
Postcard letter to John Willis, editor of Theatre World, describing her "to-ing and fro-ing" to England and Canada
Autograph Letter signed: "Irene W", 4x6 picture postcard with New York City postmark, 1983 July 26. To John Willis, New York City. In full: "Just back from England - to-ing and fro-ing for months - & then Canada. I missed all your kind invitations but received your dear birthday wishes. Heart's thanks". IRENE WORTH (1916-2002, born Harriet Abrams in Fairbury, Nebraska) was an American actress. Most of her performances were in London's West End, frequently playing Shakespearean roles at the Old Vic theatre. But she got her start in American stage and won three Tony Awards in the original Broadway production of Edward Albee's Tiny Alice (1961), in Sweet Bird of Youth (1965) and in Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers (1991). She also appeared in 30 movies and TV shows between 1948 and 1999 received a British Film Academy Award for Best British Actress in the 1958 movie Orders to Kill. Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tonyfor Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Corners lightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.