THE SHAKESPEARE MEMORIAL THEATRE [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sne,—In your notes of last week you refer somewhat severely to the style, accommodation and work done in the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford. It should be remembered that this was built nearly fifty. years ago. The stage and auditorium were more than sufficient for the needs of 1879. The success of the annual festivals, now extending over a period of fifteen weeks, had made that accommodation hope- lessly inadequate.
I hold no brief for the architect of those days, but he had a difficult problem. The site was bounded by the river, and was practically at water level. Not only was it necessary to keep the stage above flood level, but to that had to be added the height of the proscenium—divide that to fly scenery—add to that to work the flys, and then put the roof on top.
In a great city one usually only sees the front of a theatre— look at the back of Drury Lane or any other theatre ! But here the building had to be erected on an island site—visible from every angle.
I hope that the best minds of the world's architects will give their services as freely to solve this problem as the Gover- nors of the old theatre have given theirs, in trying to carry out their main object—the placing of Shakespeare's plays upon the stage.—I am, Sir, &c., A. C. RErn. House of Commons.
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