University Museums and Special Collections Service J C Trewin Papers MS 4739 The collection contains both personal papers and material collected by Trewin relating to the English stage. The latter includes theatre programmes 1906-1989, theatre posters 1783-1936, photographs (original and reproduction) of productions 1905-1970, issues of theatrical periodicals 1906-1986, albums of press cuttings, and other miscellaneous material. There are also letters collected by Trewin to and from Constance and Frank Benson, and eighteen letters and postcards (three original and fifteen facsimile) from George Bernard Shaw. The personal material includes many letters written to Trewin over the course of his career on theatrical and literary subjects. Major correspondents (with more than ten letters) include Enid Bagnold, Guy Boas, Charles Causley, Christopher Fry, Val Gielgud, Paul Scofield, Robert Speaight and Ben Travers. Other correspondence includes letters of congratulation on the presentation of Trewin's OBE in 1981, and letters of condolence written to Wendy Trewin on the death of her husband. There is also material relating to Trewin's biography of Robert Donat and a legal dispute with the playwright Veronica Haigh which arose from it. The collection contains drafts and typescripts of some of Trewin's work, over fifty notebooks, and drafts of an account by Trewin's father of his early years at sea. The Collection covers the year’s 1896-1990. MS 4739/1/1 Letter from Constance Benson (wife of Shakespearian actor Frank) to Mr Neilson. 22 September, undated 1 file MS 4739/1/2 Letter from Constance Benson to Sir Archibald Flower, of the Stratford brewing family who were supportive of the early Stratford theatres. Regretfully declining Sir Archibald's invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the new theatre in Stratford- upon-Avon as she could not meet her husband, Frank, in public due to a past disagreement. 03-Apr-32 1 file Page 1 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service MS 4739/1/3 Letter from Constance Benson to Sir Archibald Flower. Discusses where to scatter the ashes of Frank Benson and is glad that they were reconciled before he died. 02-Feb-40 1 file MS 4739/1/4 Letter from Constance Benson to Sir Archibald Flower. Sending him a pin, the implication is that it belonged to her husband, Frank, for she nearly gave it to her ex pupil John Gielgud. 09-May-40 1 file MS 4739/2 Letter from Sir Archibald Flower to Constance Benson (copy). Concerning the disposal of Frank Benson's ashes. 31-Jan-40 1 file MS 4739/3 Letter from Peggy to 'Dearest Scopie', written from 1 Scarsdale Villas (the same address headed Constance Benson's letters), copy. Concerning the financial support given to Frank Benson and his lack of acknowledgement, letter could be from Constance Benson. 20-Apr-32 1 file MS 4739/4 Letter from Frank Benson to Tommy Merton. 21-Mar-19 1 file Page 2 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service MS 4739/5 Letter from C F Leyel to Mr Howson declining invitation to Sir Frank Benson's memorial service 08-Jan-40 1 file MS 4739/6/1 Letter from Sir John Hare to Sydney Grundy. 14 August 1896 1 file MS 4739/6/2 Letter from Sir John Hare to Sydney Grundy. 18 April c.1900 1 file MS 4739/6/3 Letter from Sir John Hare to Sydney Grundy. 25-Aug-10 1 file MS 4739/7 Pamphlets by Frank Benson, signed by him: Shakespeare's message and Foreword. Both were given by him to his fellow actor in the Benson company, Henry Caine, and were given by Caine to J C Trewin. The inscription on Foreword reads 'With all good wishes to my fellow piper' and 'Yours truly, a fellow- traveller in the world's automobile: Frank R Benson'. Shakespeare's message is inscribed 'Roan Baybury from R. Plantagenet' (a reference to Richard II in which they were acting together). undated 1 file (2 items) MS 4739/8 Memorandum in handwriting of Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson of a speech he delivered before a production in aid of the Sadler's Wells theatre undated Page 3 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service 1 file MS 4739/9 Correspondence: George Bernard Shaw 1899-1946 1 file (3 items) MS 4739/9/1 Postcard from George Bernard Shaw to the editor of the Observer 23-Sep-46 1 file MS 4739/9/2 Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Hecht, Director of the Lyceum, copy. Letter requests Hecht to consider staging Shaw�s new play Caesar and Cleopatra which he had written for Forbes-Robertson and Mrs Patrick Campbell. 27 February 1899 1 file MS 4739/9/3 Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Robert Donat, copy. 15-Aug-40 1 file MS 4739/10 Collection of facsimiles of letters and postcards written by George Bernard Shaw to the Forbes-Robertsons. 1903-1946 1 file (15 items) Page 4 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/1 about The Doctor's Dilemma. 10-Jun-03 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/2 about The Doctor's Dilemma. 17-Jun-03 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/3 discussing a production of Caesar and Cleopatra. 01-Dec-03 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/4 discussing difficulties of rehearsing Man and Superman. 21-Apr-05 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson in 4739/10/5 which he complains of overwork and his need for a long holiday, is postponing plans to stage Caesar and Cleopatra until the following year. 29-Jun-05 1 file MS Postcard from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/6 13-Aug-05 1 file Page 5 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/7 concerning Caesar and Cleopatra. 10-Jul-06 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/8 concerning music to accompany Caesar and Cleopatra, and aspects of the costumes. 15-Jul-06 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/9 commenting on a performance of Caesar and Cleopatra. 27-Nov-07 1 file MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson, 4739/10/10 concerning the adverse reaction of the public and press to Caesar and Cleopatra 04-Dec-07 1 file MS Postcard from George Bernard Shaw to Lady Forbes-Robertson 4739/10/11 01-Apr-05 1 file Page 6 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service MS Postcard from George Bernard Shaw the name of recipient has 4739/10/12 been omitted 08-Feb-21 1 file MS Incomplete letter from George Bernard Shaw praising and 4739/10/13 discussing the autobiography of Forbes-Robertson, A Player under three reigns, Fisher Unwin, 1925. 17-Jul-25 1 file (2 pages) MS Letter from George Bernard Shaw To 'My dear Jean' concerning 4739/10/14 the casting of St Joan. George Bernard Shaw considered the three women most capable of playing the part to be Jean Forbes-Robertson, Elizabeth Bagnol and Katherine Hepburn. While admitting he had no say in the casting the implication is that he favoured Lady Forbes-Robertson. 16-Feb-34 1 file MS Postcard from George Bernard Shaw to an unknown recipient 4739/10/15 26-Jun-46 1 file MS 4739/11 Letter from Lindsay Anderson 13-Nov-69 1 file (1 item) MS Letter from Lindsay Anderson to J C Trewin 4739/11/1 13-Nov-69 Written from the Royal Court theatre regarding the withdrawal of critical privileges from Mrs. Spurling, drama critic of the Page 7 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service Spectator, due to a disagreement. The disagreement was not extended to other critics. 1 file MS 4739/12 Personal letters from Enid Bagnold 1974-1980 1 file (13 items) MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin requesting Trewin to 4739/12/1 look over the draft of her new play, The Chinese Prime Minister, then withdrawing the request saying she feels it is too much of an imposition. Undated 1 file MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin thanking the Trewins for 4739/12/2 their Christmas card, she is busy writing with the critical assistance of Noel Willman. 19-Feb-74 1 file MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin thanking Trewin for a 4739/12/3 good write up in The Times of that day, and asking him to buy six copies and send them to her. 17-Oct-77 1 file MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin in which she 4739/12/4 remembers James Roose-Evans with affection. Praises J.C. Trewin�s son, Ion, who is Literary Editor of The Times and asks Trewin to thank him for her. 23-Oct-77 Page 8 of 185 University Museums and Special Collections Service 1 file MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin thanking him for a happy 4739/12/5 day. 18-Aug-78 1 file MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin to accompany a gift of 4739/12/6 her first book The Diary without Dates, Virago, 1978. 28-Aug-78 1 file MS Letter from Enid Bagnold to J C Trewin requesting help in 4739/12/7 finding a manager.