Having already donated about a quarter of a million pounds, there's more where that came from and it will be ploughed back into the National during the tenure of his successor, Nicholas Hytner. Insiders had known of Nunn's generosity for some time, but it has only recently been revealed - via the front page of the Guardian - to the public. The revelation rather knocks on the head criticisms from some quarters as to the advisability of his taking a salary from commercial transfers of subsidised productions from the National to the West End.
It also shows that theatre can pay very handsome dividends for the co-creators of successful West End shows, and that musicals still make by far the most money - as shows as diverse as The Phantom of the Opera and Mama Mia! have proved.
