Our Stage and Its Critics

The author opens with a candid appraisal of the British stage, balancing melancholy over its shortcomings with a steadfast belief in its untapped potential. He argues that, despite the absence of a modern national drama comparable to Shakespeare, England possesses talented playwrights and actors whose abilities are squandered by outdated traditions and commercial pressures. The essay invites listeners to reconsider the myth that the nation lacks a natural gift for drama, suggesting instead that the right opportunities could reveal a vibrant, home‑grown theatrical voice.

Turning his eye to the provinces, Ireland and Scotland, the writer highlights fresh, ambitious efforts to forge distinct national theatres, contrasting them with England’s more stagnant regional scenes. He details how soaring rents, inflated production costs, and a focus on mass appeal have left many West End houses chasing safe, crowd‑pleasing fare at the expense of artistic growth. By exposing these challenges, the piece offers a thoughtful, historically grounded glimpse into the forces shaping early‑20th‑century British theatre.