Item 23 - Letter from J. T. Sheppard to R. C. Trevelyan

King's College Cambridge. - Informing Bob that a 'remarkable performance' will take place on 25 February at the Chiswick Empire, 'under the auspices of the Chiswick Education Committee and Sir Oswald Stoll'; should have got Bob's permission before arranging it, but it has 'only just reached the vast proportions' suggesting that he, as translator, should be brought in. The original plan was to put on the Greek Play film [see 21/22] for an audience of students; Sheppard then 'undertook to lecture on it'; next he thought of having recitals of extracts from Bob's translation; next 'costume seemed essential'; now it has turned into a production of most of the "Agamemnon", and the latter part of the "Choephoroe", with expenses paid by Chiswick. The seats will be 'very cheap', so he hopes there will be a good audience; thinks the Press will pay attention. The Film Fund will be paid for hiring out the film; hopes the Greek Play Fund will profit through further sales of the acting edition; it has done well and almost paid for itself, though the main fund is still short by a hundred and sixty pounds. This letter is therefore a 'belated request' to use Bob's translation; is sure it will 'act well' and be a good advertisement of 'honest scholarly methods in translation'. Will not be acted by the same people but Sheppard will produce and 'follow the main lines of the Greek [language] production'. Hopes that Bob will come to see it, and bring guests; he should write for complimentary tickets to H. J. Hands, Director of Education, at the Town Hall in Chiswick, mentioning that he is the author of the translation.; he should also let 'everyone know' about the production, saying that the theatre holds two thousand people, and the seats will be cheap: 'old Vic sort of prices'.