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University Daily Kansan Thursday, Oct. 15, 1950
Crafton Tells a Story About Actress
Margaret Webster, actress and director of Shakespearian drama, will be no stranger to the campus when she lectures here Monday.
Allen Crafton, professor of speech, credits Miss Webster with helping William Inge, a KU alumnus, and William Gibson, a former Topekan, with becoming Broadway playwrights. Prof. Crafton also credits Miss Webster with knowing more about Shakespeare than anybody in the country.
Prof Crafton is one of the KU representatives who will meet Miss Webster at the train Monday. She
Margaret Webster
will lectu_ on Shakespeare at 8 that night in the University Theatre. Mr. Inge, a KU alumnus and native of Independence, wrote four Broadway hits—"Come Back Little Sheba," "Picnic," "Bus Stop," and "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs."
Mr. Gibson wrote "Two for the Seesaw" which was a Broadway success last year.
Happened in 1948
"It happened in 1948 when KU invited Bill Gibson to show his play at a state arts and crafts exhibit here," said Prof. Crafton as he settled back into his chair and lit a cigar.
"Bill had just received the Topeka Civic Theatre award for his play.
"William Inge also had been invited to the exhibit. He had not written anything for Broadway, but his first play was running at the Dallas (Texas) Little Theatre.
"The KU exhibit was Inge's first recognition as a playwright. The Dallas play was a turning point, too, because Inge had decided that if it
Counties Get Federal Aid
WASHINGTON — (UPI) — Barton, Neff and Rush counties hit by recent floods have been authorized to receive emergency loans from the federal government, the office of Sen. Frank Carlson (R-Kan), said today. The loans are for farms and homes damaged in the floods and are made at three per cent interest. 10-1
Wisdom is not so strong and fleet,
As never to have known defeat."
Laurence Housman.
Interested in Play
wasn't a success he was going to quit."
Prof. Crafton chewed on his cigar as he continued.
"Miss Webster was interested in Gibson's play because it was about Shakespeare. She had obtained a $500 option on the play and wanted to put it on Broadway. She came to
KU from New York to see the play.
new York to see the play.
"After the play. Miss Webster,
Gibson, Island and I discuss play
writing and how to get Gibson's play
on Broadway.
"We talked late into the night.
"Unfortunately, the play never did get to Broadway. Miss Webster tried to get backing in London, but the play wasn't the right calibre.
"But now that Inge and Gibson have both written successful Broadway shows," said Prof. Crafton, "I like to think that it all started that night in my kitchen with Miss Webster as the promoter."
Prof. Crafton saw Miss Webster act in "Alice in Wonderland."
"She can act, but she's a better producer," he said.
"When Miss Webster was at KU she spent hours meeting people at the exhibit. She is a perfectly charming woman."
Prof. Crafton, in describing the actress, said:
Prof. Crafton praised Miss Webster's book, "Shakespeare Without Tears."
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