“Wednesdays and Saturdays; ‘King Henry IV., Part Two.’
“Thus, every week, you could give two full ‘cycles’ of the trilogy; and, on matinée days, the ‘First Part of King Henry IV.,’ or a modern play.
“In presenting such a thing you would undertake and accomplish a more distinctive, original, and impressive managerial enterprise than any single venture of any of the representative Shakespearean producers,—Garrick, Kemble, Macready, Phelps, Kean, Booth, Irving, Daly, or Beerbohm-Tree.
“I feel confident that, in a business way, it could be made profitable. If you got through even at cost, or at a small loss, it would (in my view) be, in a business way (wholly aside from the immense and incontestable service to art and the public), a profitable investment. And I am sure it would ‘make money,’ too.
“I would do anything and everything in my power to help so fine a scheme,—would arrange the plays, write notes, etc., etc., if you should desire it.
“Please do not think me intrusive with my suggestions. And please give this very careful consideration.
“It would be a special satisfaction to me to see you crown your career with such a wonderful, such an unparalleled, accomplishment. However much honest difference of opinion there may be regarding some of the productions you have made (as you know, you and I are hopelessly at variance about some of the plays you have brought out), there could be no room for cavil or honest censure of such a venture as the production of three of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, which, practically speaking, are unknown, are new, to the American Stage, and which are peculiarly well suited to your purposes and treatment. And it would be all the more splendid that such production should not be made at the high-tide of general theatrical prosperity, but should be made when the whole world seems shattered, and the rest of theatrical managers are running about like ants that have been disturbed in their hill!
“Faithfully yours,
“William Winter.”
(Telegram, David Belasco to William Winter.)
“New York, May 19, 1917.