MAITLAND
signed P. Procktor 65' upper right; titled Maitland upper left
felt tip
24 x 18cm; 37.5 x 31cm (framed); together with a P. Procktor designed poster of Nicol Williamson in the role of Bill Maitland (1978), directed by John Osborne (2)

The present work depicts Nicol Williamson who played the leading role of Bill Maitland in the original production of Inadmissible Evidence which opened at the Royal Court on 9th September 1964. The production received rave reviews, with Williamson singled out for particular praise. As Heilpern recounts: 'They were unable to cast Maitland until [Anthony] Page [the director] asked the little-known Williamson to read for it... The moment Williamson began his audition at the Court, they knew he was Maitland. Page remembers Osborne walking from the back of the stalls to the apron of the stage as if he were hypnotized... At twenty-eight, he was much too young for the role, but it made no difference. "He is old within" said Osborne, who recognised his genius' (Heilpern, p. 297).

Heilpern described Inadmissable Evidence as '...Osborne's finest and most disturbing play, and it brings to its peak the art of solitude made public on stage. "He is strongest who is most alone," is Ibsen's renowned line in the Enemy of the People. But for Osborne, aloneness is a curse, and Maitland is another of his isolated heroes who can find no place in the system - like Luther, Archie, Redl, Dillon and Jimmy Porter, like all his embattled heroes.' (Heilpern, p. 294). Jocelyn Herbert who designed the set for the original production commented: 'Look Back in Anger is John's first personal statement and Inadmissable Evidence is his second... Bill Maitland is speaking in John's voice. It's a very bitter play, and full of John's agonies, jealousies and sadness.' (Whitebrook, p. 216).

Patrick Procktor (1936-2003) was one of the most notable artists of his generation. Popular within the worlds of music and theatre, he also designed record sleeves, including, among others, for Elton John and The Rolling Stones. Jill Bennett who became Osborne's fourth wife was a close friend. A portrait of Procktor by Cecil Beaton is in the National Portrait Gallery.

The work has not been examined out of the frame. The frame itself has light staining and indentation to the edges. Paper mounted to board with exposed adhesive at the top edge, but otherwise this work in good original condition.