Greek Play Committee

The Cambridge Greek Play Committee was formed following a production by Charles Waldstein (or Walston) of Ajax in 1882. Its success led to the staging of triennial productions, the plays being performed in their original language, with a student cast, live music and a full chorus. The popularity of the plays over the years led to performances of The frogs at the Chiswick Empire in London in 1936, and of Electra in Delphi and Ithaca in 1980. Composers such as Charles Stanford, Charles Parry, Charles Wood and Vaughan Williams wrote music for the plays, and the designers included artists such as Duncan Grant and Gwen Raverat. Public figures to have appeared in the plays while students include Lord Runciman, Sir Ronald Storrs, Lord Trevelyan, Sir Andrew Cohen, Baroness Brigstocke and the poet Rupert Brooke.

From the guide to the Greek Play Committee: Records and Papers, 1882-1992, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)