Possible Clues:

• Fellow protégé, a pusillanimous type
• Chicken — playwright
• See 26
• Playwright creating conflict between company and director, initially
• Dispute with Iceland died right down, being one to avoid fighting
• In jest send up inexperienced song-writer
• Fake welcoming battle, being this?
• Playwright turned inside out by elements of former problem with Iceland
• One lacking in courage
• Craven character stifling cry of pain