Who was Lilian Baylis? This plaque commemorates her life and work. Lilian Baylis was a theatrical producer and manager. She shaped the landscape of British performing arts. This Lilian Baylis Plaque marks her former home. It is located at 27 Stockwell Park Road in Stockwell.
Lilian Mary Baylis was born in Marylebone London. Her birthdate was May 9 1874. She died on November 25 1937 in Lambeth London. Lilian was the eldest of six children. Her parents were Newton Baylis and Elizabeth Liebe. Music and performance surrounded her early life. Her mother was a singer and pianist. Lilian’s education was rooted in the arts. She began performing and teaching music at a young age. She attended St Augustine’s school in Kilburn. Lilian also took violin lessons at the Royal Academy of Music.
In 1891 the Baylis family emigrated to South Africa. They toured and performed there as “The Gypsy Revellers”. Lilian played violin and mandolin. She also taught music and dance. She earned a good living. After an operation Lilian returned to London to recuperate. Her aunt Emma Cons offered her a job at The Royal Victoria Hall. It was known as “The Old Vic”. She left behind family friends and a fiancé in South Africa.
Baylis helped her aunt run the Old Vic. She took on more management duties. These duties included concerts film shows and lectures. After her aunt’s death in 1912 Baylis became lessee. She obtained a theatre license to stage theatrical performances.
Initially Baylis was interested in opera. She joined forces with Charles Corri. Together they arranged and performed operas at the Old Vic. They had a small orchestra and limited resources. Plays were introduced by Rosina Filippi and others. William Shakespeare’s plays were often performed. Baylis claimed the Old Vic was the London “Home of Shakespeare”. Before the 300th anniversary of the First Folio Baylis produced all of Shakespeare’s plays.
In 1925 Baylis started a campaign to reopen Sadler’s Wells Theatre. She succeeded with a gala opening on January 6 1931. The production was Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. John Gielgud starred as Malvolio. Ralph Richardson played Toby Belch. Sadler’s Wells allowed Baylis to develop a dance company. She had wanted to do this since 1926.
For several years the “Vic-Wells” companies moved between the Old Vic and Sadler’s Wells. These companies included opera drama and ballet. By 1935 the ballet company often performed at Sadler’s Wells. The company included Margot Fonteyn and Robert Helpmann. Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin made guest appearances. The ballet company’s descendants are The Royal Ballet and the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Today Sadler’s Wells Theatre is mainly a dance venue.
The Vic-Wells nurtured the careers of stars. These stars included Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud. Others included Peggy Ashcroft and Sybil Thorndike. The theatre became famous for stylish productions. Tyrone Guthrie was the artistic director during the 1930s.
Baylis received an honorary master’s degree from Oxford University in 1924. She was appointed a Companion of Honour in 1929. Birmingham University awarded Baylis an honorary doctorate in 1934.
Lilian Baylis died of a heart attack on November 25 1937. She was 63 years old. The Old Vic was to open a production of Macbeth the next night. Laurence Olivier and Judith Anderson were to star. Baylis was cremated at East London Cemetery. A memorial plaque exists for her at the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden.
English National Opera created the Baylis Programme in her honor in 1985. Sadler’s Wells Theatre contains the Lilian Baylis Studio. The National Theatre has a Lilian Baylis Terrace. The Old Vic has the Lilian Baylis Circle. There is also a Lilian Baylis Rose.
Lilian Baylis lived and died here leaving behind an incredible legacy. Her dedication and vision shaped British theatre. This plaque serves as a reminder of her remarkable contribution to the arts.