A THEATRE FOR BEST PLAYS OF ALL AGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19120, 12 July 1930, Page 24 (Supplement)

A THEATRE FOR BEST PLAYS OF ALL AGES.

SHAKESPEARE’S MEMORY IS FITTINGLY HONOURED. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, May 28. HHHE committee which, under the chairmanship of Lord Lytton, was appointed to frame an agreed scheme for the foundation and endowment of a National Theatre, has reported to the Government: That the proposal to establish a National Theatre in London to be regarded as a Shakespeare memorial is practicable, and that every effort should be made to carry it into effect. The committee state that among the objects of the National Theatre should be: To provide a theatre where the people may have continual opportunities of seeing the best plays of all ages worthily presented on the stage. To keep the plays of Shakespeare in its repertory. To revive whatever is vital in British drama. To produce translations of representative works of foreign drama, ancient and modern The Repertory System. It is further recommended that the theatre should be organised upon the Repertory system, and that the controlling authority of the theatre should be a Board of Governors, not exceeding 15, appointed by the Prime Minister, this body to appoint the managing staff of the theatre. Another recommendation is that the National Theatre Company should give performances in other towns of Great Britain and the Empire. Site And Cost. The site, in the Committee’s view, should be in some central position,

and important recommendations are made regarding the size of the building, seating and stage accommodation, etc. RegardingT'the cost no definite figure is mentioned, but towards the amount required the Shakespeare Memorial National Committee, it is stated, would contribute about £IOO,OOO. It is believed that the theatre could be conducted on a self-supporting basis. It is suggested that the Government

should provide a grant to meet the annual charges for interest and sinking fund over a fixed and comparatively short period of years. Such a grant of approximately £IOO,OOO a year, it is pointed out, could be made without difficulty from the proceeds of the licenses for wireless receivers.