May 4, 2022 12:37
2 yrs ago
48 viewers *
English term
Ukraine
UKR t9n and l10n in style
Native in: Russian 
, Ukrainian 
Works in: German to Ukrainian, English to Ukrainian, German to Russian
I've got to see the libraries
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Dear colleagues,
A friend of mine is working on the translation of Theater by Somerset Maugham, and she is puzzled with the "libraries" in the following exchange in the final part of the novel:
At last the crowd was got rid of and Julia, having undressed, began to take off her make-up. Michael came in, wearing a dressinggown.
"I say, Julia, you'll have to go to Dolly's party by yourself. I've got to see the LIBRARIES and I can't manage it. I'm going to sting them."
"Oh, all right."
"They're waiting for me now. See you in the morning."
He went out and she was left alone with Evie.
(I do believe that you've read the novel, too, but here's some context, just in case: https://recap.study/summary/2020/british/177.html
The exchange takes place right after the successful play, which was the triumph of Julia)
So, the question is: what is meant under the "libraries" here, why would they wait for Michael late at night (after the play) and why is he eager to "sting them"? It does not seem to mean the usual libraries (with books and librarians). I suppose it might be some expression common in the stage business of that period, but that's only an uneducated guess of mine.
Any reasonable explanations would be much appreciated.
A friend of mine is working on the translation of Theater by Somerset Maugham, and she is puzzled with the "libraries" in the following exchange in the final part of the novel:
At last the crowd was got rid of and Julia, having undressed, began to take off her make-up. Michael came in, wearing a dressinggown.
"I say, Julia, you'll have to go to Dolly's party by yourself. I've got to see the LIBRARIES and I can't manage it. I'm going to sting them."
"Oh, all right."
"They're waiting for me now. See you in the morning."
He went out and she was left alone with Evie.
(I do believe that you've read the novel, too, but here's some context, just in case: https://recap.study/summary/2020/british/177.html
The exchange takes place right after the successful play, which was the triumph of Julia)
So, the question is: what is meant under the "libraries" here, why would they wait for Michael late at night (after the play) and why is he eager to "sting them"? It does not seem to mean the usual libraries (with books and librarians). I suppose it might be some expression common in the stage business of that period, but that's only an uneducated guess of mine.
Any reasonable explanations would be much appreciated.
Responses
| 3 +3 | theatre-ticket agencies/ticket agents |
Alison MacG
|
Responses
+3
4 hrs
Alison MacG
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
United Kingdom
Patents and related material specialist
Native in: English (Variants: UK, British, Scottish)
Works in: German to English, French to English, Swedish to English, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
theatre-ticket agencies/ticket agents
Library - d. A theatre-ticket agency.
1827 W. Clarke Every Night Bk. 108 It is‥necessary‥to procure tickets of admission prior to the opening of the doors: they may be had at the libraries of Ebers, or Andrews, in old Bond Street. 1902 W. H. Chantrey Theatre Accounts i. 7 The next source of income is derived from Library Bookings. It is usual for the management of a Theatre to allow a discount of from 5 to 10 per cent. upon seats booked by Libraries. 1959 Financial Times 23 June, The word ‘library’ is used in the trade to designate a central source of tickets—a ‘ticket wholesaler’ might be a better term. 1973 Sunday Times (Colour Suppl.) 28 Oct. 101/1 Ticket agencies‥are‥organised in the Combined Libraries Association (‘library’ is theatrical term for ticket agency).
https://www.oed.com/oed2/00132737;jsessionid=55A35BF131847DA...
Library - 3. A theatre-ticket agency: theatrical: C.20. Denis Mackail, Romance to the Rescue, 1921, 'In the Christmas holidays people will go to any show that the libraries tell 'em to go to.’
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IAjyQdFwh4UC&pg=PA679&lp...
Cochran, however, had now made a six-weeks' deal with the libraries — as the ticket-agents are professionally known — his first night was sold out at twenty-four shillings a stall
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pvB09i6qDs4C&pg=PT594&lp...
The key to a long run was a good deal with the 'libraries', or ticket agencies
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bH8TDgAAQBAJ&pg=PP163&lp...
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Note added at 1 day 27 mins (2022-05-05 13:04:59 GMT) Post-grading
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You're very welcome, Denys!
1827 W. Clarke Every Night Bk. 108 It is‥necessary‥to procure tickets of admission prior to the opening of the doors: they may be had at the libraries of Ebers, or Andrews, in old Bond Street. 1902 W. H. Chantrey Theatre Accounts i. 7 The next source of income is derived from Library Bookings. It is usual for the management of a Theatre to allow a discount of from 5 to 10 per cent. upon seats booked by Libraries. 1959 Financial Times 23 June, The word ‘library’ is used in the trade to designate a central source of tickets—a ‘ticket wholesaler’ might be a better term. 1973 Sunday Times (Colour Suppl.) 28 Oct. 101/1 Ticket agencies‥are‥organised in the Combined Libraries Association (‘library’ is theatrical term for ticket agency).
https://www.oed.com/oed2/00132737;jsessionid=55A35BF131847DA...
Library - 3. A theatre-ticket agency: theatrical: C.20. Denis Mackail, Romance to the Rescue, 1921, 'In the Christmas holidays people will go to any show that the libraries tell 'em to go to.’
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IAjyQdFwh4UC&pg=PA679&lp...
Cochran, however, had now made a six-weeks' deal with the libraries — as the ticket-agents are professionally known — his first night was sold out at twenty-four shillings a stall
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pvB09i6qDs4C&pg=PT594&lp...
The key to a long run was a good deal with the 'libraries', or ticket agencies
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bH8TDgAAQBAJ&pg=PP163&lp...
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Note added at 1 day 27 mins (2022-05-05 13:04:59 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------
You're very welcome, Denys!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Mark Robertson
: Great answer!
1 hr
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Thanks, Mark!
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| agree |
philgoddard
: I never knew that.
2 hrs
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Thanks, Phil
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| agree |
Anastasia Kalantzi
: "Getting older by always learning ", greek wise proverb!
3 hrs
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Thanks, Anastasia. Learning something new every day is one of the great things about being a translator.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks A LOT!"
Discussion
P. S. Thank you for your support, much appreciated.