SHAKESPEARE THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 59

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE.

ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AIMS. The Shakespeare Memorial Association was founded on the initiative of seven Stratford-upon-Avon men on June 29, 1875. They had a vision of something greater and more lasting than the mere raising of a memory of bricks and mortar to the master dramatist. Recognising that the drama of Shakespeare was one of the greatest possessions of the Englishspeaking race, they determined to make that possession a living and real force in the world. For that to be possible they knew that there must be a theatre where Shakespearean drama could be performed for the sake of art alone, and without thought of profit. For the fitting presentation of the plays they saw that there m-ust be opportunity for intensive study of Shakespearean lore. Thus they designed to have a library and a gallery of pictures and sculpture of Shakespearean interest, points out the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre special edition of the Stratford-upon-Avon Times. They understood also that the advancement of dramatic art would call for lectures, for which they- must have a lecture hall. All this, however, would not give them actors capable of carrying out their aims. There must be a training school; therefore, they boldly placed among their objects the establishment and maintenance of a school of acting. Finally, to round off their scheme, they- determined to make provision for actors and actresses who, having given loyal service to the dramaticart, “were incapacitated from further seivice through bodily- or mental infirmity or other inevitable calamity.” The Record of the Years.— The generosity of a few Stratford-upon Avon people, together with some outside assistance—valuable in its spirit, though not great in capital amount —made possible tbe laying of the foundation stone of the Memorial Theatre buildings on April 23, 1877. These were completed in 1879, and a large part of the dream of the founders became a reality. The governors were now in possession of a block of buildings suitable for many of their immediate' needs. To-day, besides the theatre dedicated to the memory of the poet, the foundation includes a library- containing nearly- 15,000 volumes of Shakespearean literature, with a spacious reading-room, a gallerv of pictures and sculpture of Shakespearean interest, and a lecture hall. From the centre of the block arises a

lofty tower, from which can be viewed the countryside known to the poet, almost unchanged to this day. * Spring and Summer Festivals.— Ever since the opening of the Theatre, a _ Spring Festival has commemorated the birthday of the poet, and in 1910 was marked by- the introduction of a Summer Festival, the duration of the Festivals being gradually extended from a single week to eleven. To the Memorial Theatre have come some of the greatest British and other actors and actresses of the oast fifty years, attracting to the Festival visitors from all nations of the earth, and, in particular, members of the AngloSaxon race, until Stratford ..has become a real centre of union of the English-speak-ing peoples. Around the Festivals have grown up various activities connected with the drama, and not a year passes without lectures, conferences, schools of elocution and dancing, and exhibitions connected with the art of the theatre being held either in the town or in the buildings of tfia memorial. —• Stratford-upon-Avon’s Share.—Almost the whole of the financial burden of this great achievement has been borne by the people of Stratford-upon-Avon and its neighbourhood. When it is remembered that the entire population of the town is cnly- somewhat over 9000, and that its public-spirited inhabitants have given money, land, and buildings to the value of £IOO,OOO, the result appears amazing. From outside sources only- some £20,000 has been contributed. At the present moment a guarantee fund raised br the townspeonle is making it possible to continue the Festivals. Work Still to. be Completed.— Though the Memorial Theatre now houses one of the finest collections of Shakespearean literature in the world, including many- rare and valuable volumes, tbe Governors are in the position to-dav of being absolutely- unable to employ- a librarian and to provide for the completion and printing of a library catalogue. The founders desired to secure the advancement of the dramatic art “by the delivery of lectures, the establishment of prizes for essays, anti other means.” Tire final aim of the founders—of helping the actor incapacitated by infirmity or calamity —also calls for funds. The Governors, in appealing for an endowment fund for the Memorial, propose to devote a portion to provide a sanctuary for actors and actresses. The jubilee of the Shakespeare Memorial is approaching. The work commenced by the seven founders has not yet been completed. The Governors appeal to every lover of our national Bard, particularly those who speak his mother tongue, to pay tribute to the greatne-ss of Shakespeare, in this tercentenary year of the publication, of the First Folio, not by empty praise, but by generous contributions to the endowment fund. Contributions should be sent to “The Treasurer, Snakespeare Memorial Endowment Fund, Old Bank, Stratford-upon-Avon, England.”