By N R FarbmanLIFE Photo Collection
Many plays of this period would never be passed by the Lord Chamberlain. Private clubs and societies were established so that productions like Shaw's Mrs Warren's Profession, which centred on prostitution, could be viewed by private audiences without being referred for licensing.
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A campaign to establish a National Theatre begins in earnest, but does not reach fruition until the 1960s.
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There was a music hall strike in 1907 as actors revolt against having to sign exclusive contracts with theatre owners, sometimes forcing them to play extra matinees without payment.
Emma Cons took over the Old Vic with a view to making the arts accessible to poorer sections of society through cheap tickets. This great work was carried on by her niece Lilian Baylis after she died in 1912.
Cinderella at Drury LaneSociety of London Theatre & UK Theatre
The West End flourished with opulent buildings presenting a huge variety of shows. These included respectable plays by J. M. Barrie, spectacular Shakespearean productions, melodramas and pantomimes at Drury Lane, costume dramas, farces, and drawing room comedies.
Over one hundred years after the first London Performance of J.M.Barrie’s Peter Pan, it is still being constantly re-invented for new audiences and continues to raise much needed funds for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
Por Tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm (1890)LIFE Photo Collection
The range of productions reflected the diverse society of the time and the buildings were designed to allow access for all classes. In 1909, producers and theatre owners Beerbohm Tree, Alexander and Wyndham established The Society of West End Theatre to protect their business interests.
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In the regions, repertory theatres were established presenting a different play each week with the same company. Theatres in Manchester and Birmingham gave rise to popular dramas set locally, such as Harold Brighouse's Hobson's Choice.
D-Day Landings (1944-06-06) by Robert SargentGetty Images
Did you know there was a hiatus in theatre during 1919 due to the Spanish Influenza outbreak? Find out more about theatre between the World Wars here.
