APPENDIX 52
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Theatres Trust
STRATFORD UPON AVON—THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE
THEATRE
I have just been shown the video recording made
of the Select Committee meeting on 8 January when you questioned
representatives of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
During it you referred to the article that I
had written in the Trust's December Newsletter. I am afraid that
you may have misunderstood the Trust's reaction to the proposal
to rebuild the 1932 theatre. In your question you correctly pointed
out the Trust was established by Parliament to protect theatres,
but you seemed then to suggest that we would object if it proved
necessary to demolish the facade and foyer. What I actually wrote
(in a discussion about the constraints imposed by the listing),
was that "we have made it clear to our friends at Stratford
that if they are to persuade heritage people that there is no
alternative to demolishing what are universally agreed to be the
best parts of Elizabeth Scott's building, they will have to put
up an extraordinarily good case".
The Trust is not a heritage body, but through
our work of ensuring that theatres are modernised, and when necessary
replaced, we are obviously very aware of the constraints imposed
by listing. If a proper case can be made we would certainly not
object to demolition. Jonathan Pope's reply to your question correctly
summarised the Trust's views on this matter, explained how we
had been working with the RSC team and shared their dilemma, and
had been advising them on the steps that they would need to go
through.
Earlier this week I wrote to the Clerk of the
Committee in response to the Committee's request for a memorandum
on the subject. I had not seen the video when I wrote that paper,
but there should now be no doubt about the Trust's position. English
Heritage and the Twentieth Century Society are, I think, both
aware of our position.
8 February 2002
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