THE BARD OF AVON.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 811, 7 May 1910, Page 15

THE BARD OF AVON.

AN APPEA'J, TO SHAKESPEABEANS. ■ We have received a circular from Mr. Harold Large, of Stratford-on-Avon, England, drawing attention to the movement that is being made to make 'the annual festival in honour of Shakespeare an event, of.'national importance, -and with that ohject the assistance and interest of lovers of Shakespeare in the oversea Dominions is. being sought.. . •An accompanying pamphlet signed by A. D. Flower and F. R.- Benson (the famous Shakespearean actor and scholar) states that it is hoped that "the annual celebration May ultimately become to the future Anglo-Celtic confederation what the Olympic Festival was to • the States of Greece. Therefore' it.has been decided to invite others definitely to join in this movement and to enrol, their names ns associates.. By enlarging the association in this . way_ "it is hoped to focus and increase tho interest which is undoubtedly felt by a very large number, and byl u their aid to make the. festival mora widely known. No fund has ever been available for extensive advertising such as is dovoted to the chief musical festivals, and therefore it is thought that tho already great growth of the festival's audiences niight be still further increased by t means of larger organisation, and that in this way the celebration might he extended over an altogethet longer period each year. A minimum annual subscription has been fixed at 55.. or a minimum donation of ,£5 will .make the giver a life associate. No liability is involved beyond the amount of subscription. Associates will have privileges ineluding free access to the library, gallery, and gardens, etc., and the right to elect representatives to • serve with the governors and: other ' ex-officio members on the Festival Committee."