National Theatre Sought for London

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7201, 26 April 1930, Page 4

National Theatre Sought for London

BERNARD SHAW’S SUPPORT LONDON, April 3. Mr. Bernard ShaW niovecf a resolution supporting the scheme for a national theatre for London and -welcoming an effort to promote an agreed scheme for submission to the Prime Minister, which was carried at a meeting of the British Drama League, attended by Airs. Philip Snowden and members of Parliament, actors, actresses and dramatists. Air. Sliaw said the position .to-jlay regarding .the State theatre was moro hopeful than it-, had been hitherto, as the idea of measuring the. success ot theatres by how much 'they would pay was disappearing, and people were beginning to understand-IhrtP-great-pub-lic enterprises had hidden assets which never appeared In-balance-sheets. He hoped the national theatre would be given a site and a liberal endowment by the OovernUicut. Airs. Snowden said she. knew no member of the present. Government who did not sympathise with the movement and she considered that drama and mu-, sic should be directed by a Aiinistry of Fine Arts.

A message was read to the . meeting from tire director of the. National Theatre of Reykjavik,' Iceland, suggesting the adoption of his country’s plan in building the theatre out of the proceeds .of a tax oil cinema entertainments.