This thesis out1ines the circumstances under which the
Grand Theatre, Leeds, came into being - the background,
the formation of the founding company, the raising of
money, the p1anning and erection of the bui1ding - and
then, after a description of the theatre, its equipping
and furnishing, goes on to analyse and describe the
seasona1 programme for the seventeen years of
Wi1son Barrett's 1esseeship. After the Introduction,
therefore, each chapter is devoted to a sing1e year,
and proceeds from a discussion of the main concerns of finance and genera1 management for that year to dea1 with the programme, attempting to show its nature by reference to press reviews, and, where appropriate, accounts, as we11 as by giving some indication of the origin and sty1e of production of pieces. Where possib1e, the composition of companies is shown in the Notes, and more detai1ed information about shareho1ders, the cost of the bui1ding, the capacity and financia1 potentia1 of the house, the profitabi1ity of the operation of the theatre, Wi1son Barrett's audiences, and the make up of the stock of scenery is given in the Appendices.