SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
SqyTH KENSINGTON SITE TRANSFER to committee British "Wireless RUGBY, April 22 On the eve of William Shakespeare's birthday, 500 guests, including the United States Ambassador, Mr. J. P. Kennedy, were present at a ceremony on tho site of Shakespeare s Memorial National Theatre in South Kensington. The deeds of the site were handed by Sir Robert Vansittart, chief diplomatic adviser to the I 1 oreign Office, to Mr. G. Bernard Shaw, as chairman of the National Theatre committee. A custom of Shakospearean times was observed. Sir Robert gave a twig and a sod of earth, which in tho days of Shakespeare were known as "the livery of seisin." Tho practice dates from tho days when there were no formal deeds, and the presentation of tho twig and sod was symbolic of the sale and purchase of land. The site cost £75,000, and tho committee is launching an appeal for £IOO,OOO, to ho applied, together with the balance of £75,000 in hand after the purchase of the site, to the building and, equipment of the theatre. Sir Edwin Lutyens has been appointed architect.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23021, 26 April 1938, Page 12
Word Count
184SHAKESPEARE THEATRE New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23021, 26 April 1938, Page 12
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