Scotsman Archive

THE first move, which Edinburgh Corporation will no doubt keenly follow up, for the establishment of a Scottish National Theatre in the city, was made by the Lord Provost's Committee at their meeting yesterday. On a motion by Councillor Johnson-Gilbert, the committee decided that the appropriate Corporation officials should explore suitable sites. The proposal was accepted without any discussion.

The step is a sequel to the recent Parliamentary assurance by Mr Glenvil Hall, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, that if Scotland felt that a similar movement to that of England should be set on foot for a national Theatre, they would find the Government of today would have a ready ear for any reasonable request. More than one location has been tentatively mentioned in talk of the theatre project.

It has been suggested that it should be associated with the possible Festival centre in the Grassmarket. Other areas spoken of are those of the old Theatre-Royal as proposed in the city planning report, and Tollcross.

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