The Rock. A Pageant Play written for performance at Sadler's Wells theatre 28 May—9 June 1934 on behalf of the forty-five churches fund of the diocese of London. Book of Words by T.S. Eliot

London: Faber & Faber Ltd., 1934. [Drama] FIRST EDITION, first impression. Octavo (20 x 13cm), pp.86 [2]. Publisher's grey paper over boards with blue titles to spine. With the grey typographic dust-jacket, priced at 2/6. Also issued in soft covers, the hardback being the first of the two bindings. 1000 hardback copies only. A crisp, clean copy, showing just a touch of spotting to edges and endpapers, and some toning to spine. Jacket toned to spine and back panel, with some light wear and chipping to edges. Very good. Written in aid of a church-building fund, The Rock made the building of a London church its central action, relating that contemporary event to the long history of the Church's struggle in England and to current events that threatened it (especially the challenge of the rival but godless creeds of fascism, communism, and capitalism), emphasising that such building is essentially a spiritual enterprise that encounters constant testing of the faith. "The Rock" itself, first Christ and then Peter, reappears throughout to bolster the faith. A vastly important catalyst production, it was performed at Sadler's Wells Theatre 28th May- 9th June 1934 and almost immediately following the run, Bishop Bell commissioned a church drama concerning Canterbury Cathedral, which, as 'Murder in the Cathedral', was performed in that city's Chapter House Theatre in June 1935, was filmed in 1952, and became the most famous of T S Eliot's five plays. Gallup A26a.