Daniel Johnson: Is the theatre, which is both your lives from completely different points of view, still an absolutely central part of civilisation and if so why?
Simon Gray: Has it ever been at the centre of civilisation?
DJ: Well, it’s an integral part of it. Why do we seem to need it? Every phase of history has produced some sort of theatrical legacy.
SG: The theatre is very much a social aspect of civilisation. I think it’s actually more to do with, or certainly it was, a middle-class social activity.
Charles Spencer: Yes, very much so. They used to have teas served at matinees. It’s always been a night out as much as anything.
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