18 Facts About Lilian Baylis

Lilian Mary Baylis was an English theatrical producer and manager.

Lilian Baylis managed the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells theatres in London and ran an opera company, which became the English National Opera ; a theatre company, which evolved into the English National Theatre; and a ballet company, which eventually became The Royal Ballet.

Lilian Baylis was born in Marylebone, London, England to parents Newton Baylis and Elizabeth Cons.

Lilian Baylis was the eldest of six children, and grew up surrounded by music and performance.

Lilian Baylis's mother was a successful singer and pianist, and Baylis's education was grounded in the arts; she began performing and teaching music at an early age.

Lilian Baylis took violin lessons at the Royal Academy of Music with leading professionals, such as John Tiplady Carrodus, who was principal first violin at Covent Garden.

In 1891, the Baylis family emigrated to South Africa when their performance troupe "The Gypsy Revellers" were offered a long-term contract to tour and perform there.

Lilian Baylis earned a good living and played in many concerts.

When Lilian Baylis fell ill and had to have an operation on her kidneys, her family became concerned for her heath, especially as the country was in turmoil after the Jameson Raid.

Lilian Baylis returned to London to recuperate and her aunt Emma Cons offered her a job at The Royal Victoria Hall and Coffee Tavern, which she managed.

Lilian Baylis assisted Emma Cons in running the Old Vic, and gradually took on more management duties running concerts, film shows, lecture programmes and variety shows.

Lilian Baylis joined forces with Charles Corri to arrange and perform operas at the Old Vic with a small orchestra and limited resources.

The plays of William Shakespeare were often performed and Lilian Baylis claimed that the Old Vic had become the London 'Home of Shakespeare'.

In 1925, Lilian Baylis began a campaign to re-open the derelict Sadler's Wells Theatre, something she finally achieved with a gala opening on 6 January 1931 of a production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night starring John Gielgud as Malvolio and Ralph Richardson as Toby Belch.

Lilian Baylis scored a casting coup in 1933 by featuring Charles Laughton at the theatre after he had become a worldwide name in the film The Private Life of Henry VIII.

Lilian Baylis was awarded an honorary master's degree from Oxford University for her work in the theatre in 1924, only the fourth such honour to be given to a woman by the university.

Lilian Baylis was cremated at East London Cemetery and Crematorium, where her ashes were scattered at her request.

The Lilian Baylis Programme was led for ten years by its founder directors Rebecca Meitlis and David Sulkin.