SMNT Committee (post Joint Council)

This material is held atNational Theatre Archive

  • Reference
    • GB 2080 SMNT/4
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1944-1980
  • Physical Description
    • 2 boxes

Scope and Content

This series covers the internal business of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre Committee after the appointment of the Joint Council of the National Theatre and the Old Vic. The series documents the views of Committee members; issues of the representation of the SMNT on the Joint Council; the relationship of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre with the Charity Commissioners and the management of the SMNT fund.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Joint Council of the National Theatre and the Old Vic was appointed in January 1946, following negotiations and enquiries into ways in which the SMNT movement and the Old Vic theatre could work together. The Joint Council effectively replaced the SMNT Committee as the main 'public face' in the campaign for a National Theatre.

During the time of the Joint Council, the SMNT Committee continued to exist as an entity separate from the Council. The Committee had mostly no role in public negotiations, however was still formally responsible for the management of the money of the Shakespeare Memorial National Theatre trust fund, which managed the funds raised towards the National Theatre project.

Access Information

Open

Related Material

- See series SMNT/3 for the papers of the Joint Council.