Naomi Mitchison Bibliography


Published Plays written by NMM
D0010	"Akbar" (play)

	1937	pp 105-117 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 105-117 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series II* (book A0470)

D0020	"American Britons" (play)

	1937	pp 150-160 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939a	pp 150-160 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series II* (book A0470)

D0030	"As it was in the Beginning" (play)

	1939	pp 7-127 of *As it Was in the Beginning* (book A0100)

	1940-1953	Adapted as a radio play with a running time of 40 mins - see T2000 Adapted as a radio play with a running time of 100 mins - see T2300 Adapted as a radio play with a running time of 90 mins - see T3350

D0050	"But Still it Moves" (play)

	1937	pp 118-133 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 118-133 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series II* (book A0470)

D0060	"Charlemagne and His Court" (play)

	27 Jan 1937	Broadcast as a radio play under the title "Charlemagne" - see T1700

	1937	pp 67-81 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 67-81 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series I* (book A0460)

D0070	"The City and the Citizens" (play)

	2 Dec 1936	Broadcast as a radio play under the title "A Citizen of Rome" - see T1250

	1937	pp 1-18 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 1-18 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series I* (book A0460)

D0090	"Cortez in Mexico" (play)

	1937	pp 99-104 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 99-104 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series II* (book A0470)

D0100	"Elfen Hill" (play)

	Oct 1928	pp 133-158 of *Nix-Nought-Nothing* (book A0730)

	14 May 1929	pp 1 of "The Scotsman" advertised a "recital of plays and interludes" by Alastair Sim, Phyllis Reeves and company that evening at St.Cuthbert's Hall in Edinburgh. The programme included "Elfen Hill" and "Nix-Nought-Nothing" (D0200) which form *Two Plays for Children* (A0720).

	26 Dec 1929	pp 1 of "The Scotsman" advertised performances on 26, 27, 28 Dec 1929 by the Alastair Sim Players at the Edinburgh Children's Theatre. The programme included "Elfen Hill and other excitements". A review of the theatre and the performance appeared on p6 of "The Scotsman" on 27 Dec 1929 where it indicated that 2 plays by NMM were performed. Presumably this other play was "Nix-Nought-Nothing" (D0200)

	1932	pp 9-28 of *Six Modern Plays and Two Old Plays for Little Players* (ed. John Hampden) pub. ENGLAND, London: Thomas Nelson - HB - 213pp

	8 Dec 1933	pp 6 of "The Courier" of 13 Dec 1933 carried a report of a performance at the Lyceum Theatre in Taunton by the pupils of Bishop Fox's Girls' School.

	19 Apr 1937	pp 5 of "The Yorkshire Post" carried a report on various drama festivals held in the North of England during the previous week. Included is a report of a performance of this play by the children of Hirst North Junior Girls' School in Ashington who won first prize in the Under-10 category in the Whitley Bay drama festival. They also won the prize for the best all-round performance in the festival.

	13 Mar 1945	pp 3 of "The Western Gazette" of 23 Mar 1945 carried a report of a concert at the Village School in Childe Okeford. Classes I & II performed the play - and the performance was repeated in a matinée on the following day.

	Aug 1948	pp 59-79 of *Nix-Nought-Nothing & Elfen Hill* (book A0720)

	13 May 1950	pp 5 of "The Western Gazette" of 19 May 1950 carried a report on the Dorset Drama League's Junior Festival in Dorchester. St.Mary's R C School from Marnhull won the Under 12s Trophy for their performance of "Elfen Hill"

D0110	"An End and a Beginning" (play)

	28 Nov 1936	pp 1665-1667 of "Time And Tide" (v17.#480)

	1937	pp 161-176 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 161-176 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series II* (book A0470)

D0120	"For This Man is a Roman" (play)

	12 Nov 1934	Broadcast as a radio play - see T0650

	20 Apr 1935	pp 586-588 of "Time And Tide" (v16.#160)

	1937	pp 19-35 of *An End And A Beginning And Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 19-35 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series I* (book A0460)

D0150	"Hobyah! Hobyah!" (play)

	Dec 1924	Handwritten annotations on a copy of the script indicate that the first production was "Christmas 1924". This same script includes both the words and a musical score.

	Oct 1928	pp 95-132 of *Nix-Nought-Nothing* (book A0730)

	13 Mar 1937	Play was performed by pupils of the Woodlands School in Ribbleton Lancs as part of a concert in aid of the Preston and District Nursing Association - and was reported on p6 of "The Lancashire Daily Post" the following day

D0160	"In the Time of Constantine" (play)

	9 Dec 1936	Broadcast as a radio play under the title "Life in the Time of the Roman Emperor Constantine"- see T1400

	1937	pp 36-49 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 36-49 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series I* (book A0460)

D0170	"Kate Crackernuts: A Fairy Play" (play)

	1931	pp ??-?? of *Kate Crackernuts* (book A0530)

	6 Jan 1932	Play was performed at the Century Theatre, Archer Street, Westbourne Grove, London W11 on 6 & 7 Jan 1932 in aid of The North Kensington Women's Welfare Centre. NMM played the part of the Hen Wife. A children's party followed each of these performances.

	1936	pp 137-194 of *The Fourth Pig* (book A0390)

D0180	"My Ain Sel' " (One-act play) -- A "corrected typescript" with the title "My Ain Self" is in the the archive of some of NMM's papers at the National Library of Scotland.

	Oct 1928	pp 11-40 of *Nix-Nought-Nothing* (book A0730)

	14 Feb 1930	Broadcast as a radio play - see T0350

	15 Feb 1932	p10 of "The Scotsman" reported, under the headline "Community Drama", on the Scottish Community Drama Festival held the previous week. "My Ain Sel' " was performed in competition by the Caridacia Dramatic Club, coming in 7th place out of 29 Edinburgh district teams.

	9 Feb 1934	p13 of "The Scotsman" of 26 Jan 1934 reported, under the headline "Drama Festival", on the schedule for the Edinburgh Drama Festival to be held under the auspices of the Scottish Community Drama Association in Feb 1934. "My Ain Sel' " was due to be performed by the Caridacia Dramatic Club (Team A). p14 of "The Scotsman" of 10 Feb 1934 reported on the previous day's performances.

D0190	"The New Calendar" (play)

	1937	pp 134-149 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 134-149 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series II* (book A0470)

D0200	"Nix-Nought-Nothing" (play)

	Oct 1928	pp 41-93 of *Nix-Nought-Nothing* (book A0730)

	14 May 1929	pp 1 of "The Scotsman" advertised a "recital of plays and interludes" by Alastair Sim, Phyllis Reeves and company that evening at St.Cuthbert's Hall in Edinburgh. The programme included "Elfen Hill" (D0100) and "Nix-Nought-Nothing" which form *Two Plays for Children* (A0720).

	26 Dec 1929	pp 1 of "The Scotsman" advertised performances on 26, 27, 28 Dec 1929 by the Alastair Sim Players at the Edinburgh Children's Theatre. The programme included "Elfen Hill and other excitements" (D0100). A review of the theatre and the performance appeared on p6 of "The Scotsman" on 27 Dec 1929 where it indicated that 2 plays by NMM were performed. Presumably this other play was "Nix-Nought-Nothing".

	1932	pp 33-60 of *Seven Modern Plays For Younger Players* (ed. John Hampden) - pub. ENGLAND, London: Thomas Nelson & Sons - HB - 216pp

	7 Jul 1932	pp 13 of "The Western Daily Press and Bristol Mirror" of 2 Jul 1932 advertised that The Girls' Realm Guild would perform the play outdoors at The St Brandon's Clergy Daughters' School.

	20 Aug 1935	pp 3 of "The Evening Post" (Wellington, New Zealand) of 21 Aug 1935 reported on a event at Town Hall Concert Chamber the previous evening. The performers were all students at the Wellington Technical College. This play was one of three in the programme along with music and dance. The paper further indicted that the concert was to be repeated on 21 & 22 August.

	1940	pp ??-?? of *A Book of Short Plays, XV-XX Centuries* (ed. Anon) - pub. ENGLAND, London: OUP - HB - 299pp

	Aug 1948	pp 11-55 of *Nix-Nought-Nothing & Elfen Hill* (book A0720)

	12 May 1948	pp 4 of "The Gloucester Echo" of 13 May 1948 reported on the finals of the County Drama Festival held in the Vale Centre in Bourton-on-the-Water. The Class C winners were The Rotunda School from Cheltenham.

	28 Dec 1949	pp 4 of "The Western Daily Press and Bristol Mirror" reviewed "Christmas Album" - a selection of pieces, including this play, performed by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at the YMCA Theatre.

	21 Jun 1950	pp 5 of "The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate" of 22 Jun. 195 noted that The Newcastle (NSW) Teachers' College had staged four plays, including this.

D0210	"The Price of Freedom: A Play in Three Acts" (play, co-authored with L E Gielgud)

	1931	pp13-158 of *The Price of Freedom* (book A0810)

	9 Apr 1938	pp 15 of "The Manchester Guardian" advertised that this play would run for the week, except Good Friday, at the Sheffield Repertory Theatre. It says it is "a first performance, and Miss Mitchison will be present"

	19 Nov 1949	pp 4 of "The Gloucestershire Echo" advertised that this play was being performed by the Cheltenham Little Theatre company at the Civic Playhouse in Cheltenham nightly from 19 Nov 1949 to 26 Nov 1949.

D0220	"Saunes Bairos: A study in recurrence" (play, as by N M Haldane)

	5 May 1913	First produced at the The Dragon School (Oxford) on May 5th and 6th 1913.

	1913	*Saunes Bairos* (book A0850)

D0240	"Spindrift: A Play in Three Acts" (play, co-authored with Denis MacIntosh)

	23 Apr 1951	Premiered at "The Glasgow Citizens' Theatre" on April 23rd 1951. See also NMM's account of the writing/production of this play - E7055. See news item X3800 for details of an award for this play/production.

	Dec 1951	*Spindrift* (book A0920)

	23 Jun 1959	Broadcast as a television play - see T3950

D0250	"The Thing That is Plain" (one act play)

	4 Sep 1929	Broadcast as a radio play - see T0200

	1937	pp 82-98 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 82-98 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series I* (book A0460)

D0260	"Wild Men Invade the Roman Empire" (play)

	20 Jan 1937	Broadcast as a radio play - see T1550

	1937	pp 50-66 of *An End and a Beginning and Other Plays* (book A0330)

	1939	pp 50-66 of *Historical Plays for Schools - Series I* (book A0460)

Unpublished Plays
According to various sources, including archival records in the National Library of Scotland,
there are several plays by Naomi Mitchison for which typescripts exist, but which appear never to have
been officially published - although some are known to have been performed, either privately or publicly.


D2050	"The American Revolution" (play) -- No known publication.

	6 Feb 1936	Broadcast as a radio play - see T0800

D2100	"Apple and Almond" (play) -- No known performances. -- This is the second play in a trilogy - with "Barley, Honey and Wine" (D2150) and "Sour Milk and Sour Grapes" (D2900) -- A "corrected typescript" is in the the archive of some of NMM's papers at the National Library of Scotland.

D2150	"Barley, Honey and Wine" (play) -- This is the first play in a trilogy - with "Apple and Almonds" (D2100) and "Sour Milk and Sour Grapes" (D2900) -- An undated playbill has been seen and a "corrected typescript" is in the the archive of some of NMM's papers at the National Library of Scotland.

	8 Jan 1921	The play was produced at Margaret Morris Studio in Chelsea by Val Gielgud starting on 8 Jan 1921 with NMM playing the part of Sonja and a young John Gielgud playing Zeno.

D2200	"The Corn King: A Ritual Opera in Two Acts" (play/opera)

	21 Nov 1950	First performances - Tues-Sat 21-25 Nov 1950 at Paddington Hall Theatre. The music was written in 1935 by Brian Easdale with a libretto by NMM from *The Corn King and the Spring Queen* (book A0280) The production was staged by The Paddington Musical Society - with Euston stationmaster Harry Turrell taking a leading bass-baritone role.

D2250	"Full Fathom Five" (play, co-authored with L E Gielgud)

	25 Jan 1932	An online theatrical archive lists performances beginning on 25 Jan 1932 for 1 week at The Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage, London.

D2300	"The Furniture" (One -act play) -- No known performances. -- A "corrected typescript" is in the the archive of some of NMM's papers at the National Library of Scotland.

D2350	"The Golden Age of the Greeks" (play) -- No known publication.

	4 Nov 1936	Broadcast as a radio play - see T1100

D2400	"Guilty Together" (play, co-authored with Denis MacIntosh)

	18 Aug 1959	Broadcast by BBC Scotland - see T4100

D2450	"The Half-Person and the Scarlet Bird" (dramatised story) -- Playbill only seen, part of Christmas Entertainment, The Speech & Drama School, Lusaka, Zambia. -- See also short story "The Half-Person and the Scarlet Bird" (story B0630)

D2500	"The Importance of Uncles" (play) -- No known performances or publication. -- A manuscript exists in the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York.

D2550	"The Key of the Garden" (play co-authored with Lewis Gielgud) No known publication.

	4 Apr 1955	Broadcast as a radio play - see T3570

D2600	"Lincoln and the Slaves" (play) No known publication.

	7 May 1936	Broadcast as a radio play - see T0950

D2650	"Little Heron: A Very Short Play" (play) -- No known performances.

D2700	"A Matter Between MacDonalds" (play)

	28 Dec 1940	Written for, and performed at, the new village hall in Carradale on 28 Dec 1940. Part of the first scene was written in Gaelic - and many of the cast were in the local Gaelic choir. Thereafter it went on tour in the local area "as far as petrol restrictions would allow" to raise money for Red Cross. See article E7970 for more details.

D2750	"Prisoners of War: A Tragedy" (play as by N M Haldane)

	Summer 1914	Privately performed at the Haldane's home one afternoon in the summer of 1914, just before the start of WW1. Cast members included Aldous & Gervas Huxley, J B S Haldane and Lewis Gielgud. Naomi Haldane (as she was then) played the part of the daughter of a King.

D2775	"Reel of Payment" (one-act play) -- No known performances. -- A copy of the script is in the Scottish Community Drama Association files. -- Date unknown, but before or during 1971

D2800	"The Scarlet Woman" (play)

	27 Jul 1972	The first public performances were on Tue 27 Jul 1972, and Wed 28 Jul 1972 at Campbeltown Grammar School. This information comes from The Campbeltown Courier of 29 Jun 72

D2850	"So This is Emmaus" (three-act play) -- No known performances. -- A "corrected typescript" is in the the archive of some of NMM's papers at the National Library of Scotland.

D2900	"Sour Milk and Sour Grapes" (play) -- No known performances. -- This is the last play in a trilogy - with "Apple and Almonds" (D2100) and "Barley, Honey and Wine" (D21500) -- A "corrected typescript" is in the the archive of some of NMM's papers at the National Library of Scotland.