ST. DAVID'S THEATRE
SIR,—Mr. Keidrych Rhys should in my opinion 'whoop with joy,' if he is a true Welshman. In his letter in your issue of July 19 he writes: 'Were it not for the hush-hush artistic plans for this National Theatre idea (inbred, cliqueish?)--and the writing on the national wall and press—all true Welshmen would whoop with joy.'
It is ironic that the artistic plans for the St. David's Theatre were published in the national and Welsh presses on the same day as his letter appeared in the Spectator.
The writing on the national wall is very different from what he suggests. In the first place there are a great number of Welsh actors, actresses, writers and producers on the London stage who are only too anxious to appear in Wales if a suitable stage exis- ted. Secondly, it is a Oct that the best productions always find a full house in Wales; e.g. the Welsh National Opera Company and the Old Vic. Thirdly, the wise action of Cardiff City Council in renting the New Theatre for seven years has ensured a home for dramatic productions in Cardiff until the St. David's Theatre can be built.
Personally I have a great admiration for the work of the Welsh Committee of the Arts Council. A glance at their accounts for 1961-2 shows that no money was spent on buildings, and that all their grants were made to organisations engaged in creative artistic endeavour.
In spite of what Mr. Rhys says it is useless to com- mission plays by Welsh writers unless there is some- where where they can be performed. Unless a St. David's Theatre is built in the next seven years there will be no live theatre left in Cardiff. The St. David's Theatre Trust believe that Wales will support a National Theatre provided its facilities and its pro- ductions are of top quality. We also believe that such a theatre will provide a training ground for Welsh artists and enable them to build their reputa- tion in their own home land.
99 Eaton Terrace, SW!
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