SHAKESPEARE THEATRE.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18675, 26 April 1926, Page 7

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE.

■ A LONDON SCHEME. (TBOM OTO own COBRZSPONDEKT.) LONDON, March 12. A national Shakespeare theatre in London is within measurable distance o£ accomplishment. Negotiations are in progress lor the free gift of a site within the area of Central London for the erection of such a theatre. Parties* to the negotiations are the ground landlord, through his solicitors,, and the Shakespeare National Memorial Committee. How the scheme for a Shakespeare theatre in London is progressing was explained by Sir Frank Meyer, M.P., who is trustee, with Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, for the fund of £70,000 .left by the late Sir Carl Meyer for the funding of a London Shakespeare theatre. "We hope to secure the free gift of a site in London," said Sir Frank Meyer. "If we secure that site we Bhall be prepared to build with the money which we have on trust. Once the project for building is ready, we shall appeal to the Government and to the public for the necessary funds to endow a Shakespeare memorial theatre. We suggest a sum which would yield a revenue of £IO,OOO a year. Under a Royal Charter. "It is proposed that the memorial theatre shall be administered nnder a Royal Charter by a governing body on which there should be representatives of tho Government, who Universities, the learned societies, and educational authorities. The governing body would have control of the theatre, with a manager and a repertory company for the production of Shakesperian plays and other classical works. "In every way the theatre would be educational. The repertory company itself would he a school for the highest type of acting. Performances would be given free to school children and to students, and there would be large numbers of cheap and excellent seats for the public at all open performances."