Lilian took over the running of the Old Vic on the death of her aunt, Emma Cons, the theatre's founder. The Old Vic, which didn't serve alcohol, was pioneering in bringing opera and Shakespeare to the working classes. Lilian extended this, adding ballet and classical theatre to the repertoire. Keen to expand, she bought and rebuilt Sadler's Wells which she re-opened in 1931, inviting Ninette de Valois to champion ballet there. Lilian Baylis also founded the English National Opera Company.
