904/1B The New National Theatre

The file contains correspondence and enclosures, notes and press cuttings mainly concerned with how Richard Pilbrow and Theatre Projects Ltd came to be involved in the National Theatre building and early contract negotiations and calculations of fees, with specific topics including lighting design and a lighting consultancy, encouraging lighting operators to become designers, the Building Committee, projected expenditure, a sliding scale of charges, consultancy fees, contracts, advance payments, expenses, trips to examine stage machinery at other theatres, specific services to be provided by Theatre Projects Ltd and resulting legal agreement, relationship with Waagner-Biro regarding the recommendation of a revolving stage, engrossments of the agreement and the escalating fees of Sloane Electrical Ltd. Correspondents include Theatre Projects Consultants Ltd, Richard Pilbrow, Sir Laurence Olivier, The South Bank Theatre Board, Berger Oliver & Co (Solicitors); Greater London Council (GLC), Davis Belfield and Everest, Mole-Richardson (Stage & Studio Engineering) Ltd, the Department of the Environment, and Lovell White and King (Solicitors for The South Bank Theatre Board). Items include a letter from Olivier asking Pilbrow to be the National Theatre's Lighting Consultant; a scheme for the Old Vic lighting control system; a letter from Pilbrow accepting a seat on the Building Committee; a 'Memorandum of Agreement' draft between The South Bank Theatre Board and Theatre Projects Ltd; a technical schedule listing all physical areas of responsibility in the Theatre and planned equipment for lighting, sound and stage machinery to be provided by Theatre Projects Ltd; three drafts of a 'Memorandum of Agreement'; and a drum revolve stage patent. A note at the front of the file reads, 'no further papers until next file commenced 10 March 1978.' Original card folder disposed of. '904/1B 1' was written on the front cover, and '904/1B The New National Theatre' was written on the spine.

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