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'.
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).
Very glad that Julian is pleased with his rooms [at Trinity College, Cambridge] and that all is going well; he will have to solve his 'tripos problem' himself; sure he will do the best thing; much to be said for E[nglish] Lit[erature] if he has doubts about the M[oral] Sc[ience]; on the other hand he may become very interested in philosophy and psychology, though not as easily or quickly, and learn things which he 'would not be likely to get at any other way'. The main thing is that whatever Julian does, it should be something he can 'throw [himself] into fairly heartily', and can withstand the many 'distractions at Cambridge'. Asks him to send a programme for the Festival Th[eatre] "Heartbreak House" performance. He and Elizabeth are going in 'Matthew's motor' to Welcome on Saturday, to meet Pat Abercrombie, C[lough] Williams Ellis, and [Gabriel] Toyne the prospective Prometheus [he did in fact play the role in the Cambridge Festival Theatre's production of Robert's translation]'. Matthews would like to be their chauffeur, at an hourly rate rather than a salary; they have not yet decided what kind of car they will get, or whether to build this winter or postpone until next autumn.
Department of Civic Design, School of Architecture, University of Liverpool, Brownlow House, Liverpool. - Misunderstood Elizabeth Trevelyan's second letter when he suggested 'coming in Nov. just at the wrong time'. Since, however, she thinks that Bob will not be 'wholly absorbed by his theatrick acquaintance' [Gabriel Toyne, see 15/47?], Abercrombie could come on Saturday 13 October, after speaking at Leicester in the morning. Hope this will give her enough time to 'get Mr Watson'.