New-York tribune., 1908-05-31
A NATIONAL THEATRE
TIE British Plan TO Honor the
Memory Of Shakespeare.
London. Nav 2D.

London May %
The te-centenerv Of Shakespeare's death is
eight years distant. This Is short interval
for carrying out any comprehensive scheme for
a national memorial in London It is already
four years since the first suggestion came from
a wealthy brewer. Nj Richard Badger who,
after unsuccessful efforts 70 obtain permission
% establish memorial structure OF some kind
a. StraJford. offered place Sl2.5oN in the
keeping Of the London County Council the
foundation for 6 similar enterprise in London.
That body declined 10 accept any financial
sponsbiity for the undertaking. but agreed to
provide a suitable site Il the money for
Shakespeare memorial we're subscribed 4 pro-
yisiorai committee was formed and controversy
over the nature Of the memorial al once broke
out. Dr. GoIancz advocated a temple Of human
learning but when this propose! degenerated
into the more familiar form Of Shakespear.
museum there were emphatic protests from ac-
tors and men Of letters. The form Of the memo
rial was Tot settled al influential meeting
a. the Mansion House. and consequently there
was renewal Of controversy when the erection
Of statue in Portland Place was proposed
three months ago. The opposition has involved
counter movement IN favor Of national
theatre.
The results Of four years Of agitation and dis
cussion can he briefly summed up The origi-
nal subscription OF SI250O has been increased
u $1,000 by Mr.. Badgers viii. which was re
Gently prohated. and the bequest will be paid
whenever the executors are convinced that the
project IS sufficiently advanced. The executive
committed representing the general committee
arpnointed At the Mansion House meeting. has
issued d call for S5oo.Vpt for q statue Of
Shakespeare on the site Of the existing statue OF
the Duke Of Kent. and also for S3ooor tc he
devoted 10 some international purpose in fur
rhara nee Of Shakespearian airns"-a declaration
sufficiently nebulous to include national the
atre Finally. there has been an impressive
meeting ~ the I.vceum Theatre in response TO
an appeal from new provisional committee OF
one hundred and sixty members. and resolutions
have been adopted In favor Of the establishment
of 9 national theatre. The whole subject has
heer reopened. and until there is some agree
n7ent on d general plan II viii be impracticaole
10 raise money either for statue or for the
ar~e Lord I-ytton. in presiding over the meet
tng - the Lvceum Theatre has emphasized the
fact that the supporters of the Shakespeare
memorial must be united rather than divided
Lord Plymouth. as the head Of the rival organ
fzation has recognized the urgent necessity for
cooperation.
The first result Of the remarka bic demonstra-
-s,r in favor % 4 national theatre will be con-
torrance between delegations Of the TWO general
77rT7lrr 4
-t,1 -eo,,.-e exceptional diplomatic qualities. A
statue can he set Up in the vestibule Of na-
-joral theatre. but the edge Of Regents Park
= ror the -fte which practical men are likely TO
fs--o- for the experiment of state aided place
~ s,,,.ar,enr The Royal Academy mas been
self-s -s,,rro--fng from its foundation because II
- centrally situated and attracts immense
rr-oDgs of sightseers. a national theatre out
side The recognized district OF places of amuse-
n,er- and restaurants would be doomed 20 ldl-
,.~e from the outset A new site VIII pe heo79
sar-v Il the TWO committees are 10 JON ioroeS'
80 - -1e statue be brought under cover in the
,-eer:l7,lle Of theatre in the Haymarke' or liie
s--ara nothing viii be left OF the pretentlous
-ober,e for the ornamentation Of the approaches
- r,aoe7+.= Park The Lyceum Theatre agltd-
80 and faddists. after suboTdinating the statue
40 % minor detail will graft the national thea-
-. , The original Mansion House STOCK ana
-5,. entire responsibility for carrying OUT
c,,a alespearian aims Of high artistic value.
--to statue makers can easily agree among
themselves respecting sculptor site ana a
.e.-,,raI screen. Can the theatre makers "t'1
- Facility unite upon working scheme TOT
arriving out their ideas? They may sueeee" III
..,,,oiIfng their differences. but they start win
-. marked diyergences Of opinion that
-, ,,,s, he no end OF peacemaklng among
.,-,sal,es Some OF them want to organize
-~r,srv al once. before q theatre IS PFoNIueN'
-. fa-or tn. creation of national society
,.ftb sllb-committees in provincial t""H~' ''He''
,1.-.ard that nothing can be done uh'4 'i''0 g. q
~ ,-,s-,t,5tjor corresponding TO burlington ,
- rs- National Galery. the EFltlSh Mu-
- r he ROYAL College Of Music, and there +,
r. those who would D. satisfied with leasing d ,
=, ,. and allowing various acting managers 10
an, sr in turn There vas "a combination oil
,, ,+,,,. s,3d histri"ulc talents on the stage "f
-. 3 ,..-llI9g when Lord Lytt"n was tn" central
go. hit who could hope for practical
srrerne for a national theatre that would he gen
IN. sc.ented2 Could that motley gathering
- literar, men. playwrights and actors have
- 10y, ,be choice Of Z ,apab ble director for
aor4,,ctt1r such an institution? Proba ply not,
- oo,,1d thev have settled score or more ar
rfetic details connected 0ith the general enter
rrise Il z subsidized stage
v.-,,hout doubt the ideal monument would be.
II, 1ord I.ytton's phrase. a permanent hon,@ n