THIS WEEK'S BOOKS
MESSRS. CONSTABLE have published Mr. Nigel Playfair's Story of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. It is a most inviting looking book—the print and make up are more than usually pleasing, and it is illustrated. with Lovat Fraser's attractive designs for costumes. Mr. Mayfair gives an amusing account of his buying of the theatre and its exciting history since it came into his hands. The theatre had been practically abandoned when he went to inspect it in 1918. It had been used for everything, for a mission ball and even for a boxing ring, and was littered with rubbish. The manageress told Mr. Mayfair that she Was selling it next day to a cinema company for a couple of thousand pounds, and "almost mechanically," he writes, he offered her fifty pounds more. He had no idea' where he could collect the money; or whit he would do with the theatre. when he got it. He Consulted other managers in the neighbottrhoot. but they Were not encouraging :— " Oh yes,' said one of them, 'the Lyric is an excellent theatre.. Its only drawback is that the play in not yet written which could run there for more than a fortnight. Of'couise; ffisn't Vis-ry but then I should think you could charge at least a shilling for the front row of the stalls.'"
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The only department, everyone. agreed, which was lucrative was the bar, which was kept open whether a Play Was running. or not.
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