Detailed Information on the Guild
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60 Years of Steady GrowthThe meeting of the original founders of the Little Theatre Guild took place on 18th May 1946. There were nine theatres present. In 2006, in our 60th year, we have reached the magic number of 100 members. Quite a few members have over the years slipped away for various reasons, but the core of the Little Theatre movement has remained steadfast, and contributed enormously to the steady growth of the Guild as a national force to be reckoned with. The Guild grew out of a common idea that independently controlled amateur theatres would benefit from regular meetings to discuss problems, experiences and standards. The idea was first mooted in the 1930's as more and more companies began to acquire and operate their own theatres, but the War brought to an abrupt end early attempts to organise the Little Theatre movement into a coherent whole. However, since 1946 the Guild has steadily expanded, embracing the large and the small theatres across the whole of Great Britain. To begin with, it was perhaps the most prominent amateur theatres which became members, but the Guild's policy has always been to welcome all who took the art of amateur theatre seriously, who aimed for the highest standards, and who presented seasons of good plays for their local community. For a theatre to be a member of the Guild, it must own or control its theatre building, and be responsible for its upkeep and maintenance while producing plays on a regular basis with a committed membership. There are many such groups throughout the UK. Membership of the Guild brings to these theatres the possibility of close co-operation, usually through networking at National and Regional conferences and seminars. The Guild itself has always been keen to promote the improvement of standards, theatrical knowledge, the involvement of youth, and international exchanges. Its management committee strives to help the members with advice on all matters of national concern affecting companies which run their own buildings, like taxation, charity status, licensing, sponsorship, Health & Safety, insurance, royalties, and children regulations. Members of the Guild are expected to be lively and keen - the Guild is not a passive organisation just servicing its members with paperwork. What members get out of the Guild is very much related to how much they are themselves prepared to contribute! Even with 100 members, the essence of how the Guild operates is based on personal contact. Each member theatre appoints an LTG Representative whose task is to report back to the theatre what the Guild is doing, and to report to the Guild what each theatre is doing. Contact is maintained and strengthened at National and Regional Conferences, and with a lively quarterly Newsletter. Every year there is a National Conference (usually in the late Spring), held in the Northern, Midlands and Southern regions on a rotating basis; and each region holds its own annual meeting (usually in the early Autumn). Since 1999 it has held an annual workshop at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Bankside, devoted to Youth Theatre in alternate years. In addition there are seminars and workshops held nationally or regionally. In recent years the Guild has concentrated on administrative matters, holding a sequence of meetings on VAT and recently on Health & Safety, at various theatres across the country, using expert speakers and tutors. In addition the Guild has in recent years produced guidance papers on Children in the Theatre, Copyright Music, Child Protection, the Licensing Act 2003, and Employment Law changes. The Guild is registered with the Criminal Records Bureau to obtain clearance for members of theatres under its umbrella. In addition to the regular Newsletter, the Guild produces a handsome annual Year Book to record in full detail the activities of each member theatre - an invaluable source of information about plays presented and box-office percentages achieved, as well as a record of the never ending schemes for the improvement of buildings, fund-raising efforts, successes and failures nationwide. The statistics gathered have increasingly been used to promote amateur theatre in representations to Parliament and to the national press. The electronic revolution has been embraced wholeheartedly. The Guild really does service its members with a wealth of useful information particularly relevant to the tasks of running ones own theatres. It remains committed to promoting the highest of standards, to encouraging the widest possible repertoire of plays presented, especially new writing, and to stimulating the growth of Youth Theatre. The Guild celebrated its 60th anniversary at the annual conference at Leicester Little Theatre in April 2006. It was a great gathering of nearly 130 delegates, who all had lots to say and lots to learn from the various workshops and seminars on offer. Such meetings are really what the Guild is all about - the mutual exchange of information and experience in the pursuit of the art of theatre at the community level. LTG Representatives and delegates return to their theatres to spread the news and knowledge gained, to do their own little bit at a personal level to keep the whole art of amateur theatre alive and thriving across the whole of the country. Obviously 1946 was a vital year for Amateur Theatre in the UK. It is
a great tribute to the previous generation of committed practitioners
that institutions like Amateur Stage and The Little Theatre Guild have
been built up and continue to thrive. Michael Shipley WHO CAN JOIN?We welcome applications from Theatre Companies who:
Applications should include a list of plays produced and the last published financial statement. The support of two member theatres (who will visit the applicant's theatre to watch two different productions) will also be required. This will be arranged by the Regional Secretary. Whilst the admission procedure may initially appear inquisitorial it
is not intended as such. Membership of any worthwhile profession, trade,
college/university, golf club, squash, tennis or other club is something
to be treated with respect. It is an objective to be attained by proven
qualification, endeavour and standard, The achievement of membership to
the Guild is something we hope will be declared with pride and shown on
all publicity material of the member Theatres, It is not elitist except
to indicate quality, dedication and good 'theatre'. The AIMS and OBJECTIVES of the LTG:-
Which we support by:-
THE GUILD ORGANISATIONAs the Guild grew it became apparent that it was too unwieldy to remain a single Committee based organisation. The Regions were created in 1978 and it is with the Regional Secretary that a new member will have their first point of contact. The Regional Secretaries administer a programme of meetings within their area from ideas discussed and agreed at the AGM. Individual Theatres are responsible for local organisation of the meeting which they host including, when necessary, arranging speakers, food, accommodation etc. The National meetings comprise the Spring weekend conference, which includes the Guild's AGM. There is also a National Autumn Conference and frequently an intermediate workshop. Originally the conferences rotated around the Guild Theatres but size now dictates that only the largest Theatres can host a National Conference. The Golden Anniversary Conference in 1996 was held at the Leeds University.....this may become a more regular alternative in the future. The office of Chairman, in the early days, also went by rote and by Theatre name rather than personality. Over recent times elections are invited for the role of vice-chairman who then automatically, after two years, assumes the Chairman's role for the ensuing two years. The other elected officers are National Secretary, Treasurer and PRO.
The three Regional Secretaries automatically serve on the National Committee
and the final three places are on a free nomination and vote basis from
the AGM. HOW WILL THE LTG WORK FOR YOU?Beyond the procurement and overseeing of the National and Regional events the Guild will maintain a high profile in matters affecting the non-professional Theatre. The opportunities offered by the National Lottery have opened avenues of hope for a planned expansion by many Member Theatres and already some considerable success is being achieved. To counter anti arts criticism the Little Theatre movement must demonstrate the highest standards consistent with their own facilities. The denigration of 'amateurs' ignores the fact that many many of our acknowledged artists first started their careers in the Guild. There is also a proud history of training within the movement enabling a firm foundation for the future continued success of the non-professional Theatre. By mutual co-operation the quality of theatrical performance can be improved for the benefit of the local audiences. Very often the local Little Theatre is the ONLY theatre of a repertory nature within the community. No Theatre is immune from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune but Guild support and help has frequently been there to assist to overcome the crises. You get out of an organisation as much as you are prepared to put in. The Guild only demands, the attendance by Theatre delegates to one meeting in three years, although we hope for much more. Much can be learnt, not only from the workshops, seminars and papers but also by inter-theatre links and meetings. The ultimate proof is in the strength of our membership. For applicants there is a brief request to complete within this brochure.
To those with sponsorship in mind we hope that the contents will have
given confidence in understanding that the Guild is truly national and
can reach the community in an almost unique manner. Many organisations
have already realised this.......British Telecom has given us an inspirational
10 year B.T. Biennial sponsorship of commissioned plays by established
playwrights (John Godber, Peter Whelan and Debbie Isitt so far) for simultaneous
production. The project has been widened in association with the LTG to
embrace other amateur companies which made October 21st 1995 the biggest
first night in the world. WHO ARE THE LITTLE THEATRE GUILD MEMBERS ? From Dumfries to the Isle of Wight; from Grimsby to Exeter there are
currently 90 companies within the Guild. Theatres have been created from
a great range of buildings including barns, through old churches, wharfs,
fire stations, sport pavilions etc. A few are lucky enough to have a designed
Theatre either built in the past or purposely built for the Company. For
a full list click here. The text above is mostly taken from The Little Theatre Guild Yearbook. The book is produced in December each year and copies are available for a small charge from the National Secretary: Barbara Watson
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