HL Deb 31 January 1978 vol 388 cc651-2
Lord AMULREE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is intended that some memorial be placed in the National Theatre to commemorate the work done by Miss Lilian Baylis.

The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE (Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge)

My Lords, I understand that the National Theatre Board is proposing to name the north-western corner of the main terrace at 49 ft. level the "Lilian Baylis Garden", and to place an appropriate memorial plaque there.

Lord AMULREE

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that quite encouraging reply. May I put a not very direct supplementary question? Can the noble Lord, or somebody else, explain why it was that Miss Baylis ran her theatres—the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells—at some degree of profit, whereas the National Theatre appears to have run at a dead loss right from the start?

Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGE

My Lords, I cannot accept the supplementary as following in any way from the original Question. I think nothing less than a short essay on the changes in public habits, in the inflationary situation of the world and all the rest of it would answer this question, and I do not propose to inflict that on your Lordships. I would only say that the National Theatre, which has been conceived and built over a long period, is now playing to full houses, which is a great deal better than if it were not.

Earl AMHERST

My Lords, does the noble Lord not agree that it would be better to consider naming one of the three theatres in the National Theatre complex the "Lilian Baylis Theatre", rather than to put a plaque in the gardens?

Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGE

My Lords, the decisions as to the names of the theatres were made some years ago. I think it would be very invidious in relation to some of our colleagues in this House if we were to change them now.

Baroness WARD of NORTH TYNESIDE

My Lords, will the noble Lord accept it from me that, whatever happens in the end, the decision to honour the work done by Lilian Baylis will give enormous pleasure to masses of people all over the country who know what they owe to her?

Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGE

My Lords, I am delighted to say that the Government are in absolute agreement with what the noble Baroness has said. I think Miss Lilian Baylis has made the most remarkable theatrical contribution of the century.

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