Anténor JOLY (1801-1852) director of the Théâtre de la Renaissance. L.A.S., Paris August 24, 1838, to Victor HUGO; 3 pages in-8, Théâtre Ventadour letterhead, address. Important letter concerning the casting and preparation of Ruy Blas (premiered at the Théâtre de la Renaissance on November 8, 1838). "According to your wishes, I have written to Frédérick [Lemaître] that it would be better if the first impression of the role came to him through your reading. We'll meet on the 29th at noon; it'll be more convenient at your place; I'm afraid we'll have a lot of hammering at the theater [...]. I've kept our casting of the female role a secret, but there have been indiscretions on the other side; we'll talk about it; I'll submit to you a few sensitivities of propriety which may prevent you from casting the role of the Queen as I asked. If we could have a little chat the day before the reading, it would be important [...]. I'm looking for Don César and Casilda everywhere. I'm losing my mind, I can't sleep. What tribulations! These are such important roles!"... Bardou and Mlle Crécy would like to be in them, but Joly doubts they can break away from Arago [le Vaudeville] and the Théâtre Français. "Boulanger has given me part of the costumes; we're working on them; I'll have most of the drawings tomorrow. The sets are in the hands of the carpenters and painters; M. Strunz is composing the music; he seems to understand the situations very well; he has composed the three-part chorus for Les Lavandières; it is said to be ravishing. Everything works. [...] Villeneuve is traveling in the North, and will tell us if there are more Don César than in the South. We have an actor, a good comic, who is the delight of Bordeaux, but I don't know if the role will suit him. At any rate, I've written to him to come"...