LATE ELLEN TERRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 139, 8 March 1929, Page 10

LATE ELLEN TERRY

SCHEME FOR NATIONAL MEMORIAL Dominion Special Service. London, January 17. A scheme is on foot for acquiring Small Hythe Place, at Tenterden, Kent, Dame Ellen Terry’s home for the last 25 years of her life, as a national memorial to her. Mr. Bernard Shaw, a close friend of Dame Ellen for many years, has consented to serve on the general committee, and the proposal has the warm approval of Sir J. M. Barrie. The theatrical profession is taking a keen interest in the scheme. Sir Johnston . Forbes-Robertson, the veteran actor, is the chairman, and Dame Madge Kendal, the veteran actress, the vice-chairman, and, in addition to subscriptions, it is expected that a certain amount of money required for the project will be raised by means of matinees and entertainments organised by admirers of the jjreat actress in her own profession. America is watching the progress of the scheme with enthusiasm. MisS Ethel Barrymore and Mrs. Fiske, two well-known American actresses, represent the American stage on the committee, and it is hoped that Mr. Noel Coward may be able to do something towards stimulating interest in it while he Is in New York. In London, 'one of the most enthusiastic workers 4s Mr. 0. B. Cochran, who is on the executive, and. has put forward suggestions for getting the money in quickly. The sum of £15,000 is required. Only a small portion of this sum Is needed for the actual purchase of the property, and the remainder is to be devoted to an endowment fund. Miss Gertrude Kingston, the chairman of the, executive, and other actors and actresses interested, regard the establishment of a theatrical library and a theatrical museum at Small Hythe Place as a valuable feature of the 'scheme. In addition, a barn adjoining the house is to be adapted as a small theatre, where It is hoped to institute an annual dramatic festival on a small scale during the week in July in which the anniversary of Ellen Terry’s death fall*