Empire Nursing Home, Vincent Square, London, S.W.1. - Is getting on very well now [after his operation] with little discomfort. Bessie reads Trollope to him most afternoons, and he usually has visitors each day: T[homas] S[turge] Moore is coming to tea today. Hopes Bessie will go to Paris next week, then on to Holland: no reason for her not to now Bob is 'so well' and go to the C.A.s [Clifford Allens] for the first couple of weeks after he leaves the nursing home. He works through chess games in the papers, and has just been looking at the tournament between Cambridge and Oxford, in which the marks were equal; Bronowski, whom he supposes is Julian's friend [Jacob] 'lost his game rather disastrously'. Terence Gray wants to do Bob's [translation of Euripides'] "Medea"in May, which he has agreed to but now regrets; Gray is trying to get [Maria] Germanova for Medea, but 'wants her to do it for nothing'; Bob has telegraphed to her saying she should 'on no account... accept the engagement. It is too monstrous'; Gray probably wants him to step in and pay Germanova himself, which he will not, as he will not be able to get to rehearsals and go through the part with her; Gray is also intending to put Medea in a mask, which is 'the height of folly' regarding Germanova. Unlikely Germanova would have been able to take the part with her husband [Aleksandr Kalitinsky] so ill. Wonders if [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy has gone to India yet and whether he has finished his book. Hopes Julian is getting on well with his work; frescos must be 'fun to try', though expects Julian is 'likely to make rather a mess at first'. [Étienne Adolphe?] Piot was 'technically quite competent' but artistically bad. Asks to be remembered to [George] Reavey, and to [Jean] Marchand if Julian sees him. Hopes Bessie will come to Paris next week, and see the Luce family. He and Bessie had hoped to see the Sykes family this month, but had to put it off; supposes [Hugh]'s exams are coming up anyway.
The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Station Street. - Is 'very flattered' by the offer to play Prometheus [in Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' play], and grateful to [Gordon] Bottomley for thinking of him. Mr [Terence] Gray had not told Toyne which part he wanted to play; he heard about it from Clifford Allen via his mother. Has asked his current employers about being released to act for Gray and Trevelyan; was told that the Birmingham Repertory Company 'never stood in the way of their members'. However, they have treated him well after he had been 'out of interesting work for some time', and he gathers that his release would 'greatly inconvenience them' at the moment; therefore felt 'morally obliged' to refuse Gray's offer, much to his own 'personal chagrin'. Encloses the program for the season [no longer present] for reference: is not playing an 'interesting ' part until the fifth part of "Bach to Methuselah" [by G. B. Shaw], starting on 20 October. Would be 'honoured' to play the part next term if it would really not 'inconvenience' Gray to postpone the production until then, and would be free any time after 14 December; could get released at any time if necessary to play the part, but as explained is reluctant to do so unless 'absolutely necessary'. Unless Trevelyan thinks it necessary to see Toyne acting, any day would suit him to meet; has indicated his parts in the enclosed program.
The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Station Street. - Thanks Trevelyan for his last letter; agrees that it is best for them to meet as soon as possible and 'fix things definitively' if they can; 'anxiously' awaits the MS [of Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' "Prometheus"]. Had written to Mr [Terence] Gray saying he hoped he might be able to join his company [Cambridge Festival Theatre] for the Easter season; asks if Trevelyan knows whether this is on offer if Toyne plays Prometheus. This does not 'compromise the situation' at all in relation to playing the part, but he wants to be able to give his current employers 'full notice'. Asks when the first rehearsals will be. Is probably going to London next Sunday, and would be 'honoured' if Trevelyan would lunch with him at his club, the Authors' Club, at 2 Whitehall Court; asks him to let him know by return if he can. Asks Trevelyan to forgive the 'haste & meandering' of this letter, which has been written during rehearsals.
Authors' Club, 2 Whitehall Court, SW1. - Sir Barry Jackson will be pleased to give him 'three weeks release' to play Prometheus [in Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' play]. Has written to tell [Terence] Gray [the producer]. Asks if Trevelyan got the 'copy of Nessus & Dianeira" Toyne sent him, and whether it might be 'suitable or acceptable'.
37 Weetwood Lane, Far Headingley, Leeds. Influenza kept him from attending Terence Gray's production of Trevelyan's "Prometheus" in Cambridge, for which he is very sorry. Hopes to take advantage of Bessie's invitation and see Trevelyan soon, when they can talk about Teneriffe [sic]. Has been offered a chair at Bedford College, London. Understands from Pat that Trevelyan has been making tentative enquiries about [the possibility of a chair at] Cambridge, and wonders if he has any opinion as to Abercrombie's chances. He expects that they will want a Cambridge man, and Q [Quiller-Couch] may be in the post for a long time yet.
Thanks Julian for his letter; asks him to let them know next time whether [Maria] Germanova, [Aleksandr] K[alitinski] and Rex [their dog] are living in [Hasan] Suhrawardy's rooms or elsewhere, whether they are very uncomfortable, and whether they have heard when Suhrawardy is returning, as he was 'very vague' in his last letter, though he seemed to like Bob's "Epistle" to him. Terence [Gray] and [Frank] Birch seem to want to produce his translation of Euripides' "Medea" at the end of May; thinks this means Birch rather than Terence, and perhaps he will like his production more than he usually does Terence's. Does not know whom they have chosen to play Medea, and fears it will be 'no one adequate'; Germanova is 'out of the question... after the fiasco of Terence trying to get her for nothing last year'; in addition she would need weeks of study and coaching to do it in English, even if she could leave Kalitinski, which she clearly cannot; asks Julian to say how Kalitinski is now. Bessie is distributing the notices for [George] Reavey's book ["Faust’s Metamorphoses: Poems"]; Bob thinks it would be better if they had a sample of the poetry as well as the drawings. Sends his love to [Jean] Marchand, if Julian sees him again. Will not go to Paris at Easter, nor to Wallington for Kitty's wedding, but stay at the Shiffolds. C.A. [Clifford Allen] is 'fairly well', but has 'ups and downs'; Bob is going with the Allens to see René Clair's ["À nous la] Liberté" on Thursday, but otherwise he 'plug[s] away at [his translation of] Lucretius"; will soon have to get in touch with [Hugh] Sykes Davies again. Julian's Mount Athos picture 'looks very well on the floor still'; must put it up over the fireplace. Quotes a poem by Po Chu-I [Bai Juyi] about his study. Things are going more smoothly at Edinburgh now; thinks [his and Tovey's opera "The Bride of Dionysus"] will be better sung and produced than last time.
Furzen Wood. - Originally enclosing 'a review that may interest' which he thinks, on stylistic grounds, is written by Roger [Fry]. Hopes Julian is enjoying the South of France. Bessie seems quite well, and to be enjoying herself in Holland; he himself is not totally well yet, which he has made an excuse for not going to see [Terence Gray's production of his translation of] "Antigone" at Cambridge, though he goes to London to see Donald [Tovey]'s concerts and some of the Russian operas, and is probably doing too much. Negotiations for performance of Tovey's opera ["The Bride of Dionysus", for which Bob wrote the libretto] again next February or March. Doubts if he will go abroad in July, but will probably go to the Lakes with the C.A.s [Clifford Allens] for a while, and must go to see Tovey at Hedenham to get him to 'correct his programme proofs at last'; Bessie could come later if Julian is coming over just then.
Furzen Wood, Abinger Common, near Dorking. - Has been sent some money for Julian's furniture, which he has paid into the account at Drummond's. Elizabeth has had to put off her visit to the Netherlands because of her 'nose-bleeding', which is 'not serious but a nuisance'; expects she will be able to go in a week or two. Is 'fairly right again' now himself, though gets tired if he does too much. They went to London on Wednesday for Donald [Tovey]'s first concert with Adila [Fachiri], who played a Bach sonata with Donald's new Dolmetsch harpsichord - though this could not be heard at all, 'as Adila would not play softly, though she said she did', and the Wigmore Hall 'swallowed up the poor harpsichord's jangling in its unacoustic maw'. The rest of the concert went well. Sorry to hear that Shahid [Suhrawardy] is ill and hopes it is not serious; supposes this may prevent him going to India. Hopes [Aleksandr] Kalitinski is better. Is going to see his [translation of Sophocles'] "Antigone" 'performed, or misperformed, by Terence [Gray]' at Cambridge; has kept away from rehearsals so is 'not responsible'. Has begun work again on an epistle to [Arthur] Waley and 'plugging away at [translating] Lucretius'. Must write to [Hugh?] Sykes soon to see when he can come to talk about it. He and Bessie are 'both quite cheerful, in spite of noses and operations'; the Allens [Clifford and Joan] also seem all right, though they have to take [their daughter] Polly up to London every other day for eye exercises. Hopes Julian's 'frescoe [sic] project will flourish'; warns him not to fall off the scaffold 'like Barna [da Siena] at San Geminiano [San Gimignano]'. Asks to be remembered to [George] Reavey, and hopes he has recovered.
Furzen Wood, Abinger Common, near Dorking. - Is sending the only copy of his translation of [Aeschylus's] "Prometheus" he has with him, which is 'all messed about with pencil marks made during rehearsals' but he thinks it should be legible. Thinks there are a couple of typed copies in Terence Gray's 'little room at the [Cambridge Festival] Theatre' unless he has removed them; would like one if they are still there. Is also sending an edition of the "Prometheus" as the introduction is 'reasonably good'. Will get to Cambridge at ten on Thursday and come to Julian's rooms; tells him to leave a note if he is out, in which case he may go to see Goldie [Dickinson]; hopes to lunch with Julian, and may leave by a later train and take tea in Cambridge too. Bessie will come by a later morning train. Julian should let him know if he wants 'Dantes etc' so he can send or bring them. [Alberto] Moravia is here and hopes to visit Cambridge around 22 November; asks if Julian could get a room for him.
Festival Theatre (Cambridge) Ltd, 36 Newmarket Road, Cambridge. (printed headed notepaper) - Gray thanks Trevelyan for his kindness in helping them 'financially and otherwise' with the "Prometheus"; although he may think 'we fell short of success', thinks 'the production marked a necessary step in evolving a method'. Realises Trevelyan was not as happy about the last production as he was about the last; can only guess about his views and does not know whether they agree on what was 'least successful'. Hopes Trevelyan will give him a 'carefully considered judgment' when he has 'had time to see the production in perspective and free from the criticism of individuals who may have felt strongly about points which were at variance with their set views'. Thinks Trevelyan tends to take the production as the 'simple thing it looked', and asks him to remember the 'weeks of thought and consideration of alternative methods"
Press cuttings, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings agency, from: the "New Cambridge"; "Daily Chronicle"; "Times" (two copies); "Morning Post"; "Daily Telegraph"; "Yorkshire Post"; "Observer"; "Sunday Times"; "Sketch" (with photograph of the production by Scott & Wilkinson); "Nation and Athenaeum". Reviews variously mention Gabriel Toyne and Doria Paston (actors); Vivienne Bennet (leader of the Chorus); Philip Cathie (music); Richmond Dabell (musical director); Ninette de Valois (choreographer) and Hedley Briggs (dance).
K[ing's] C[ollege] C[ambridge]. - Went last night to the "Oresteia" [Terence Gray's production at the Festival Theatre, Cambridge]: discusses it at length, mentioning actors, masks, lighting and dancing. Trevelyan's translation sounded very good. Missed the 'red robe procession' managed so well by Sheppard. Thanks Bessie for her letter: is glad his lecture was not as dull as he feared. Hopes Trevelyan will enjoy Italy.
Hotel de Londres, Paris. - Has been in Paris with the Allens for three days, and is going on with them to Bolzano; will be at the Berenson house around 15 July for about a fortnight; may then go to see [Umberto] Morra at Cortona, or to Aulla [to see the Waterfields]. Saw [Jean] Marchand yesterday, who was glad to have seen Julian, and that he is coming to Marchand's academy in the winter; liked some of Marchand's latest work. If Julian returns to Cambridge he could still spend some time with Marchand this winter; would of course be very pleased if he chose to return, but he must use his own judgement. Has seen a lot of [Hasan] Suhrawardy and [Maria] Germanova, who were sorry to have missed Julian; Suhrawardy may be away on Julian's return, but Germanova should be in Paris. Allen is 'fairly well, but easily tired'. Saw Terence Gray briefly in the street, who looked well, and was 'very friendly and cheerful, and almost without his stammer'. Suhrawardy sends love; the Allens are upstairs packing and resting.
The University, Leeds. - Thanks Trevelyan for returning a book by [? Herbert] Read. On a recent visit to Cambridge to examine the Milton MS at Trinity, he and his wife Catherine met Julian Trevelyan, who took them out to Terence Gray's theatre [the Cambridge Festival Theatre]. In Trinity Library, Abercrombie also discovered a MS play written by Tennyson at the age of 14, "The Devil and the Lady". Has been reading Giussani's edition of Lucretius.
Press cuttings, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings, from: "Granta" (two articles); the "Morning Post" (four articles); the "Liverpool Post and Mercury"; the "Evening Standard"; the "Evening News"; the "Eastern Daily Press"; the "Daily Mail"; the "Westminster Gazette" (two articles); the "Daily News"; the "Cambridge Daily News"; the "Times" (two articles); the "Daily Express"; the "Daily Telegraph" (two articles); the "East Anglian Daily Times"; the "Yorkshire Post"; the "Stage"; the "Isis"; the "Oxford Magazine"; the "Manchester Guardian"; the "Bulletin and Scots Pictorial"; the "Cambridge Review" (note by J. T. S. [J. T. Sheppard) as well as a review by R. P. W.-I. [Winnington-Ingram]; the "Newcastle Daily Journal & North Star"; the "Sheffield Daily Telegraph"; the "Referee"; the "Sunday Herald" and the "Observer". Reviews variously mention Terence Gray (theatre owner and artistic director), Herbert Prentice (director), C. Harold Ridge (lighting), Donald Tovey and Gordon Jacob (music), Ninette de Valois (choreography), Hedley Briggs, Maurice Evans, Miriam Lewes, Doria Paston, Marion Prentice and Torin Thatcher (actors)
Title and Trevelyan's address written on the front in Trevelyan's hand, also some corrections to the text. Pencil annotations relating to musical accompaniment for performance, indicating stresses and metre etc; this is likely to be connected to Terence Gray's 1929 production at the Cambridge Festival Theatre, with music by Philip Cathie [despite later addition of '1939', the date of the publication of Trevelyan's translation, in pencil on the front of the typescript].
National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, S.W.1. - Very glad that Julian likes the English tripos; sure from what he says that he made the right choice. He and Elizabeth hope to come to Cambridge on the 5 and 6 November. Wants to go to the Festival Theatre that evening so asks Julian to get them season; needs to see Terence [Gray] either before or after the play. Hears [Nathaniel] Wedd has been knocked down by a bicycle; wonders whether Julian could enquire how he is at King's; he could also call on Mrs Wedd and perhaps see Nathaniel. Could lend Julian his own copy of Grierson's edition of [John] Donne and Skeat's of "T[roilus] and C[ressida]"; also the 'exact reprint' edition of the "Areopagitica" from Welcombe, though that might not be of much use. They may get a 'new site for building near Conyhurst' but everything is still unsettled; they go to see it on Thursday.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Glad Julian has returned 'in good heart'; Sir George has grandchildren all round him now 'waiting for the Verdict': Mary Caroline's degree result is due. Will be fascinating for Robert to supervise the production [at Cambridge Festival Theatre in November of his translation of Aeschylus's "Oresteia", by Terence Gray]. Asks if Robert and Elizabeth have a copy of the aerial photograph of Welcombe; is trying to find out the organisation or company from which it comes. Has been undergoing surgical treatment for four weeks and is not yet recovered; is 'much weakened'. Encloses his 'little correspondence with the "Sunday Times"'; most pleased that the newspapers noticed that [Sir Charles Wentworth] Dilke had refused to go to Dublin [as Chief Secretary for Ireland], and that it was like Sir George 'not to refer to it'; Dilke 'never got over it', and it was one reason people took his 'catastrophe so unsympathetically'.
Heard from Aunt Annie [Philips] that she had seen Julian and liked his rooms [at Trinity College]. Bessie will be happy to help Julian to get a low table for tea or coffee; a shame they cannot get 'another Burma table'. Not sure whether she will come to see the production of [Bob's translation of Aeschylus'] "Prometheus"; not keen to come all the way to see 'another disappointing performance in that theatre [Terence Gray's Cambridge Festival Theatre] & in that atmosphere'. However, she may feel differently after Bob has seen it [see 15/230]. Bob came home on Sunday after all, while 'Cousin Marie [Hubrecht]' was staying, and the Allens [Clifford and Joan] came to supper. Noel Vaughan Williams, an 'old friend' of Marie, came to lunch. Hears that Daan [possibly Daniel Hubrecht, a relative in Cambridge?] fell on the ice a couple of days ago and 'cut his hand very badly'; he may still be in hospital; Julian could perhaps visit him.
Hears Julian is to meet Sir R[endell] Rodd, once English ambassador in Rome, 'with whom Aunt Janet worked on her unholy Anglo-Italian League'; he is 'a regular hedger abt Mussolini'. Advises Julian to pay his hundred pound legacy into his deposit account at Drummonds, and tells him how to do this. Says in a postscript that Aunt Annie's 'enthusiasm made her bubble one into trios when there were only singing duets'; stresses that she herself did not sing 'Charlie is my darling', though if Julian had heard 'dear old Timson' sing with his cracking voice Julian might have thought that even she 'might be heard at that concert!'.
Written at the Shiffolds, with London address given as c/o Mrs Alys Russell, 11 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W; sent to Julian at Trinity College, Cambridge, and forwarded to him at 11 Malcolm Street, Cambridge. - Is coming to Cambridge on Friday morning for a rehearsal [of his translation of Aeschylus' "Prometheus", produced by Terence Gray]. If he finds he is 'useful' he may stay on for the weekend, otherwise, or if he is 'too much out of sympathy with the production', will only stay the night. Will go to the play on Friday evening; perhaps Julian could come with him. Is writing to Goldie [Dickinson] to ask if he can put him up, if not, will go to the Blue Boar. Expects he will arrive by train at 11.38 and go straight to the theatre; could give Julian lunch there if he likes.
Furzen Wood, addressed to Julian at 7 Villa Brune, Paris XIVᵉ, France. - Lascelles and Catherine Abercrombie will be in Paris on their way to Greece from 19-27 March, staying at the Trianon Palace Hotel. They have 'lots of engagements', but would like to see Julian, so perhaps he could look them up at their hotel. Has written to [Hugh and Kathleen] Sykes [Davies] inviting them to visit. Has just heard from Terence [Gray] that he may want to do [Bob's [ranslation of Sophocles'] "Antigone" next term; supposes he will give him 'leave to misproduce it'.
Addressed to Julian at 11 Malcolm Street, Cambridge. - Will probably come by the early train on Friday which reaches Cambridge at 9.58; hopes Julian can lunch with him at the theatre [Terence Gray's Festival Theatre, where Bob's translation of Aeschylus "Prometheus" is to be produced]; supposes he will be there all morning. Hears from Aunt Annie [Philips] that Julian is dining that night at Uncle G[eorge]'s so supposes he will have to go by himself to the play. Seems Julian will meet Sir Rennel[l] Rodd there, whom Bob does not much like, though tells him not to say that to G[eorge] and J[anet].
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Rang up last week to invite Bob to 'come and eat Well Pudding', but he was away, and now is at Cambridge. Hopes he finds arrangements better than expected, and will at least 'get the satisfaction of seeing [his translation of Aeschylus's "Oresteia"] in relation to a stage'. Was very sorry to hear Bob 'thought so badly of the prospects' [of the production, by Terence Gray].
Hôtel de Londres, 3 rue Bonaparte, Paris. - The hotel is near Luce's École des Langue Orientales and Collège de France; it was good of Bessie to send the addresses, which they may use after Christmas, but none of them are as convenient as the hotel. Expects Trevelyan to stay several days with them on his way to Italy, and asks if he should engage a room. He and Teetee entreat Bessie to come as well. Is glad the Aeschylus is to be performed [Trevelyan's translation of the "Oresteia", performed at the Cambridge Festival Theatre]; hopes Tovey's score arrived. Asks in a postscript if Trevelyan could bring him some Murray's Mellow Mixture tobacco.
K[ing's] C[ollege] C[ambridge]. - Thanks Bessie for [Gide's] "Les Faux-monnayeurs". Recommends that she read "Helen of Troy" ["The Private Life of Helen of Troy", by John Erskine?]: everyone he has lent it to has enjoyed it. George Thompson [sic: George Derwent Thomson?] was delighted with it. Discusses whether Thompson will settle in Ireland. Seeming mismanagement of the 'repertory theatre' [Cambridge Festival Theatre?]: it is fortunate the "Oresteia" is postponed. Has seen nothing of Grey [Terence Gray]. Is reading the new edition of Shelley's letters.
Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum, London, W.C. - Thanks Bob for the 'misprints', which are all important and he is 'very grateful'. Afraid it is too late to correct the new edition, but has sent them at once to Stanley Unwin. Neither he nor Beryl 'know anything of Terence Gray'.
11, St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Does not know whether he will stay [in Cambridge] for Saturday night; probably yes, unless he feels 'too much out of sympathy with "Prometheus"' [the production of his translation of Aeschylus' play]. Julian should therefore do what he likes about dining at Uncle George's. He himself does not want to dine there to meet Sir R[ennell] Rodd, whom he does 'not much like'; he served as British ambassador at Rome, and Bob has heard him talk about 'things in Italy' in a way he did not like; he is also a 'poor minor poet'. However he is 'of course quite nice to meet etc, and a great friend of Janet's'. In any case, he and Julian will lunch together. Thinks he will see the play on Friday evening, as he may want to meet people on Saturday evening. Julian may find it hard to 'cry off' the dinner at George's. Supposes the "Prometheus" will be 'right enough', but is 'terrified' by something in a Cambridge newspaper, 'evidently inspired by Terence [Gray]', suggesting it would have 'a sort of Prometheus-Christ, a double blasphemy'. Notes in a postscript that when he gets to Cambridge he will go straight to Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]'s, where he is staying, then on to the F[estival] Theatre.