SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13563, 26 October 1909, Page 7

SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL.

A NATIONAL THEATRE. Unittd Preti Aieiocutton—By Electrlo T«l*gTftpto—Copyright. LONDON, October 24. At an enthusiastic meeting in the Mansion House, arranged by the, Shakespeare Memorial Committee, it was decided to appeal for half a million, for the purpose of founding a national theatre. It is proposed that £100,000 be devoted to the purchaser of ' a site,. £150,000 for building purposes, and £250,000 to form an endowment. It has been decided that the memorial theatre is to be a repertory theatre, one ' 'able to present, and whi-oh shall present, at least two different plays at full length at evening performances in each week, and at least three different, plays at evening performances and matinees taken together." Shakes* peare is to be produced on an average at least once a week, and no fewer than twenty-five of his plays are to be staged at full length during the year, but other English classical plays are to fill the bill at least once a week, and there is provision for tho production of foreign works. There is to be a largo governing body, including representatives of the universities and the selfgoverning colonies. "The productions," observe the committee, "while simple, must be efficient and beautiful. Accordingly, the estimates include such a liberal endowment as shall free the directorate from all temptation to sacrifice its artistic policy to t'tie making of large and immediate profits."