Co-ordinating Committee 1945

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 2080 SMNT/3/1/2
  • Dates of Creation
      1945
  • Physical Description
      2 folders

Scope and Content

The continuing negotiations between the Old Vic and the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre Committee during 1945, leading up to the formal appointment of the Joint Council which took place in January 1946. The file covers the work of the Co-Ordinating Committee, established ca. 1945 to oversee arrangements leading to the amalgamation of the two bodies.

The file includes:

(Folder 1 of 2)

- Recommendations by Oliver Lyttelton about the composition and structure of the governing body of the proposed Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre, to include members representing the Old Vic and the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre (24/05/1945).

- Different drafts of the agreement for the amalgamation of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre and the Old Vic, with accompanying correspondence.

- Memorandum outlining the objectives of the National Theatre, 'Incorporating the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre and the Old Vic'.

(Folder 2 of 2)

- 'Memorandum Re. National Theatre by Old Vic directors', by John Burrell, Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson (11/09/1945).

- Letter to Oliver Esher from Oliver Lyttelton, agreeing to act as a Chairman of the Co-Ordinating Committee (10/10/1945).

- 'Suggested amendments to the proposed agreement between the Governors of the Royal Victoria Hall and the Trusteed of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre' (15/12/1945).

- 'History of the Negotiations between the Committee of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre (SMNT) and the Governors of the Old Vic', by Lord Lytton.

- Annotated draft agreement between the Old Vic Governors, the Trustees of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre and the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells Trust Limited.

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