AN HISTORIC THEATRE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 46, 1 September 1928, Page 26

AN HISTORIC THEATRE

SECOND ONLY TO DRURY LANE In the roofless ruin of Sadler's Wells Theatre, where tatters of a no longer beautiful curtain blow above the void that onco was the stage of Keari and Grimaldi, a private party mot to lay "Hail ana farewell!" (according to a recent issue of the "Daily Chronicle"). Tor in a few weeks the workmen are coming in to clear the place, to crown it with a roof, ana to transform Sadler's Wells, junior only to Drury Lane, from a disreputable wreck into a theatre worthy of its great traditions, <t '. "You would hai-aiy think that there was a roof on the building as late as 1920," Mr. Arden' Foster, the caretaker and self-appointed historian of Sadler's/AVells, remarked to a "Daily Chronicle" representative. "When the place became derelict—the last show was given some time in 1916— people came swarming in and helped themselves. All the chairs vanished, and gradually the boys amused themselves by loosing the slates and throwing them about. It became a NoMan's Land." He showed us the old dressing and business rooms, moro than 20 in all. In each, including the room of the great Samuel Phelps, the poor children -of the district have set up little make-believe homes. They have brought old chairs and pictures, and bunches of flowers stuck in jam jars. A notice at each door announces that Lizzie or Maggie—"lives here." "I think Phelps would have liked tins sort of thing," said .Mr. Foster. I am giving them small prizes for good ideas in home-building." Amid all the chaos the 18in walls, containing much of the brick of 1760, when the wooden theatre was superseded, are as stout to-day as ever. So they arc to be made to look good, and gradually the theatre, as London's second "Oid Vie." will emerge. Already £42,000 has been subscribed to the Sadler's Wells fund, but another £30,----000 is needed. If this,is forthcoming it is likely that Sadler's Wells will arise by September, 1929. Thereafter, alternately with the "Old Vie," it will present Shakespeare and opera at popular prices for nine months of the year.