sub-sub-series 1 - Correspondence

1 box

Correspondence is arranged chronologically, and includes letters from friends, including fellow playwrights and others associated with the theatre, as well as members of the public; a small number of the letters concern business matters, relating to production or publication. In addition to heartfelt tributes from members of the public deeply affected by the play there is a letter from the Dean of Trinity John Robinson, which includes a copy of his sermon in Trinity College Chapel Feb. 1974 in which he discussed 'Equus' (item 66), and also a parody of a fan letter, possibly written by Ian McKellan: 'I really liked that [play] about the young man ... who played classical music on his transistor radio and found he couldn't climb the Andes because the lights fused' (item 5). ] In addition, there are four letters from Shaffer to others: to his parents in November 1976 describing the filming of 'Equus' in Canada (item 166), a letter in October 1987 to director Terry Hands about script revisions (item 186), an indignant letter to the director of Théâtre Marigny in Nov. 2008 objecting to the performance of 'Equus' as one act rather than two (item 204), and an undated draft of a much revised letter about theatre critics (item 206).

Some items of a more personal nature are presently closed, which may account for gaps in the numbering of materials.

See also Letter from Scott Perkins in 'Gift of the Gorgon', 30 Aug. 2011 (B15/20).