Civic Repertory Theatre

Civic Repertory Theatre (New York). The company was founded by Eva Le Gallienne in 1926. Her hope was to reestablish a repertory tradition in America so that actors might develop their art by playing a variety of roles in a single season and that playgoers might be assured of a theatre devoted to presenting the classics and meritorious new plays, which might not be considered commercially viable. To this end Le Gallienne attempted to ensure the sort of large, loyal following that would allow continuity by pricing tickets far below standard charges. The company opened at the old, out‐of‐the‐way 14th Street Theatre in 1926 with a performance of Benavente's Saturday Night, followed that season by The Three Sisters, The Master Builder, John Gabriel Borkman, and La Locandiera. Later offerings included The Good Hope, Peter Pan, Romeo and Juliet, Alison's House, and, its most successful attraction, Camille. Although Burgess Meredith, Alla Nazimova, and Jacob Ben‐Ami headed the list of distinguished performers who played in support of Le Gallienne, the company was often beset by money problems. Its many and expensive mountings, low admission prices, and the onset of the Great Depression all combined to undermine its finances. When Actors' Equity refused to allow Sunday performances, the company saw yet another source of revenue denied it and disbanded in 1933. Le Gallienne would later attempt repertory again with the American Repertory Theatre.