Previously Unseen Shaffer Play About Tchaikovsky Discovered

The New York Post has reported on a newly unearthed play by recently deceased author, Peter Shaffer. The play, which sources say Shaffer labored over for twenty years, is about the composer, Tchaikovsky, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death.

Historically, the demise of one of classical music's most famous contributors was attributed to cholera caused by drinking contaminated water. However, continued conspiracy theories concerning his death rule it as a poison-induced suicide, a measure taken in order to avoid his being exposed as a homosexual. Shaffer was able to research the work through access to obscure documents concerning the composer's life and death

The sole manuscript of the play had been closely guarded by Shaffer throughout his life, until some goading from friends and colleagues prompted him to make a single, nearly illegible copy of the work. Further excavation of this manuscript, however, could result in a future production.

"The play exists, but it's impossible to read because of Peter's handwriting," said agent, Dennis Aspland. "His handwriting makes a doctor's look like a nun who teaches third grade's. We'll have to find someone who can decipher it. But at some point I would think we will."

Read more at the New York Post