One of British Theatre’s most important benefactors
One hundred years ago, Annie Horniman opened the Gaiety Theatre in Manchester, an important landmark in the history of theatre in the UK. To mark this anniversary, the Library Theatre in Manchester is currently staging Independent Means, a feminist comedy by Stanley Houghton, author of Hindle Wakes, who was one of the leading members of the ‘Manchester School’ of playwrights in the early 20th century. Woman’s Hour pays its own tribute to one of British Theatre’s important early benefactors when Viv Gardner, Professor of Theatre Studies at Manchester University and Sheila Gooddie, author of Annie Horniman: A Pioneer in the Theatre join Sheila to discuss Annie’s legacy and talk about Independent Means - an almost forgot gem of the Edwardian stage, originally produced because of her money and encouragement.
