Flowers Final 28:02:25 - Flipbook - Page 62
came a director of the brewery, and a governor of the other "family business", the Memorial Theatre. He
driving force in all areas of its management. In 1913 he took the Stratford company on tour to the United
Canada and South Africa.
Sir Archibald Flower 1865-1950
he first world war, as cars and motor coaches became more widely available, tourism developed in
rd. This inevitably affected the fortunes of the Memorial Theatre, and in August 1919 Charles Flower's
l dream was realised when the resident ensemble company opened. Archie selected William Bridgesas the first director and his work was marked by a new concern for sets, costumes and lighting. However
20s brought major financial problems to the Memorial Theatre and it was converted into a cinema during
nter months. Sets were painted on both sides to save money, and tourists were charged to look over the
. Archie applied for a Royal Charter, which was granted in 1925. In that year George Bernard Shaw, a
or of the theatre, proposed a toast to the memory of William Shakespeare at the annual birthday luncheon
oke of the need for a new theatre in Stratford.
r struck in 1926 when the Memorial Theatre caught fire and was destroyed, leaving just a shell. Both
ald Flower and Bridge-Adams realised that a chance had come to build a great modern theatre and the
plans were sketched out with their umbrella points in the ashes of the fire. Archie launched a massive
gn on both sides of the Atlantic to raise the quarter of £1 million needed to rebuild the theatre. He held
ugural dinner in America where hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised. Amongst the guests were
D Rockefeller, JP Morgan, and Guggenheim. In 1932 the new Shakespeare Memorial theatre was opened
presence of the Prince of Wales. He arrived in his own aeroplane and was driven into Stratford in a Rollsaccompanied by Archie's son, Fordham Flower.
ays before the 1934 season was due to open, Bridges-Adams resigned. The main reasons were due to
s conviction that he knew best in all things. He ruled the theatre totally. Every decision, artistic, financial,
cratic was referred to him. No sets could be made, no costume sewn until Archie had previously vetted the
n spite of an increasing financial surplus, little money was reinvested in the Memorial Theatre. Over the
here had been very few new productions and the use of Edwardian style sets and costumes persisted.
er, the Second World War marked a watershed in the theatres history, a break between the Edwardian
nd the new generation who came after.
1, Archie suffered a severe stroke and could not maintain interest in the theatre. It was not until 1945,
he war ended that his son, Fordham, took up the reins of office. As soon as he returned from the war, all
her's offices descended upon him; The Birthplace Trust, the town council, the theatre, the brewery, the
ess committees. Within days a major deputation from the town asked him to be mayor. He was to bring a
ion to the theatre which led to revolutionary changes in it's development.
