Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre
SOUTHERN
REGION
Show Location
This Theatre is a Full Member of the LTG
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Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre
SOUTHERN
REGION
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Contact Information
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Basic Information
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Beech Walk |
Public Theatre |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2012 |
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Productions
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Report on Year We began the 2011-12 season in great form with The Crucible, and were honoured by the attendance of our President, Sir Michael Gambon at our opening Gala Night. It also proved popular with all our audience, and was the first production to break 90% attendance, one of 6 of the 10 productions to do so. Our Youth Group under the able leadership of Janey Carden this year gave us an amazing production of Animal Farm, which enjoyed 91% attendance. We are sad to lose her owing to family commitments, but we are fortunate to have secured the services of Susanna Hook in her place. Our final production, The Tempest, benefited from being part of the RSC Open Stages project and ended the season on a high, with an astonishing 95% attendance. Who said Shakespeare wasn’t popular! Overall, the attendance this season was a record 90%, up from 84% the previous season. We are lucky to have a dedicated team of backstage personnel, all of whom love a challenge and who have given us revolving sets, fireballs, an animatronic dog, a room which became a trench, an Elizabethan house... and ending with a magic island! Not forgetting all our actors and directors –many of whom were making their debut – whose passion for theatre ensured the outstanding quality of our performances was maintained. As ever, we continue to improve our theatre for the benefit of active members and patrons alike, as well as maintaining our programme of risk assessment and statutory inspections. This year work has included improved auditorium lighting, new flats, wardrobe storage and external shuttered storage. We have supported students on work experience throughout the year and twenty of our volunteers received first aid training. We have also completed the mammoth task of cataloguing and reorganising our not inconsiderable stock of furniture and props, which together with our extensive wardrobe is available for hire by other theatre companies. Finally, following the auditions for next season, July saw our ‘End of Season Bash’ – a chance to celebrate GWT teamwork and express appreciation of the work of all our active members and volunteers. Plans for 2012/2013: Productions of: The Government Inspector, The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Great Expectations, What The Butler Saw, An Ideal Husband, The Diary Of Anne Frank, Rhinoceros, Clybourne Park, A Life In The Theatre andCalendar Girls. |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2011 |
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Productions
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Report on Year Despite total attendance being slightly down from the previous season, it was very gratifying to note that our youth group attracted their best audience yet for a highly entertaining production of The Canterbury Tales. This amply repaid some very creative work by our young people, ably supported by their leader and director Charlotte Ewart and other adult helpers. It was also gratifying to record a number of new performers at the theatre as well as two directors making their debut. Only two of the season's directors had directed for us the season before which suggests a healthy reservoir of directing talent which augurs well for the future. Audience reactions were largely positive, although complaints about bad language, blasphemy and the aroma of cigars and herbal cigarette smoke were voiced by some disgruntled patrons. The only production to escape comment in Whitwords was The Merry Wives of Windsor — is the Bard somehow immune? The season was extended to accommodate the triennial trip to The Minack Theatre, where more than 5,000 people were entertained by John Turnbull's June production of Thieves' Carnival. It appears to have been another enjoyable experience for all concerned. Backstage, major work has been done on ensuring that all our stage lifting gear meets today's very stringent health and safety requirements. As always the officers are extremely grateful to the many volunteers who do regular stints to ensure our audiences’ safety and comfort and to the relatively few longstanding members who run our technical and backstage departments.Without their support the theatre could not function and our performing talents would remain unappreciated. At the forthcoming AGM, Colin Hill will be stepping down as Drama Chairman after having steered the theatre’s artistic programme so successfully over the last three years. Fortunately he will continue to serve the theatre as actor and director. Looking forward to the new season, changes will be made to seat prices and membership, including a reduction for bona fide students.Also, for the first time, members will be able to opt to receive their copy ofWhitwords electronically by email. Plans for 2011/2012: Productions of: The Crucible, We’ll Always Have Paris, The Flint Street Nativity, 84 Charing Cross Road, Heroes, The Herbal Bed, Animal Farm, My Boy Jack, Be My Baby, The Tempest (Open Stages). |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2010 |
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Report on Year This has been a record-breaking season for us. It is difficult to remember a season where attendance figures were so high. Six of the nine main productions achieved an attendance of over ninety per cent and the average for all nine plays was 88 per cent. Regrettably, the one production that failed to draw a decent attendance was the one given by our Youth Group. Grimm Tales was an excellent evening’s entertainment and many of the audience who did attend were full of praise for it. We have 1600 members of our theatre, yet we only attracted a total audience of 230 and that included many of the families and friends of the cast. How do you draw adults to watch young people with whom they have no regular contact? We have had the usual changes of officers within the theatre and at the forthcoming AGM, there will be yet more spaces to fill. We have had an influx of new acting members, but the running of the various committees and other aspects of the theatre is still in the hands of longstanding members who would be grateful for some new blood in those areas too. The lure of the stage seems stronger than that of the less glamorous, though just as essential, roles in making sure the theatre functions at its best. For the first time in many years, the theatre was hired out for two nights, as an experiment, to a children’s drama group. Things went smoothly and we learned some useful lessons. Hiring out the theatre would be an extremely rare occurrence because of our busy season and summer work programme. In July, nearly ninety active Club members attended an End of Season party which was held to thank everyone involved in the season for their successful hard work. The officers are extremely grateful to the many volunteers who do regular stints on FOH, Bar, Coffee Bar and Box Office. Without their support there would be no opportunity to indulge our passion for performance. Plans for 2010/2011: Productions of: Time and The Conways, Not About Heroes, Promises, Promises, Honour, Glengarry Glen Ross, After September, The Canterbury Tales (Youth Group), The Merry Wives of Windsor, Duet for One and Thieves’ Carnival (our Minack entry). |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2009 |
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Productions
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Report on Year In a season dominated by the world's austerity it was very encouraging to play to an average attendance of almost 84 per cent, the highest figure for more than ten years! The season came in ?1000 under budget, which pleased the treasurer. 34 Our Youth Group made pleasing progress under the direction of its professional Drama Tutor and presented An Evening of Horror on three evenings to appreciative audiences. Off stage, the season included some interesting activities. In September 2008, we took part in the London Open House weekend. Visitors enjoyed guided tours of the theatre and watched a rehearsal of A Voyage Round My Father. In November 2008 we hosted the LTG Southern Region Conference and welcomed delegates from theatres both near and far. It seemed to be an enjoyable experience for all concerned and good contacts were made. At least one theatre rep spotted a useful prop for one of their forthcoming productions that they were able to hire. The Drama Committee and Club Committee have worked together and separately to ensure the theatre's improvement. Written guidance to stage managers, properties co-ordinators and lighting operators has been issued. The theatre tries to work to a very high standard and it was thought important that relatively new volunteers should have a clear understanding of what is involved in these vital roles. There have been regular post-production de-briefings in order to check that all has gone well both backstage and as far as the audience is concerned. This regular monitoring enables us to deal swiftly with any problems and to ensure a high quality experience for our audiences. There is a regular joint meeting of the two committees to discuss concerns as well as organizing the Season Launch Evening to promote the following year's programme of plays. As always, the performers at the theatre are indebted to the 1456 current members who make up the bulk of our audience, as well as the far smaller number of regular workers who create the sets, work backstage, give light and sound to the shows, provide the services of the bar and coffee bar and those who upkeep the fabric of the theatre and staff the plays and their presentation to the public. Thanks too, to the officers of the theatre who do not feel they have been mentioned in the previous sentence. Without the valuable input of so many unsung heroes working hard to support a season of productions who are rarely considered, there would be no season. Plans for 2009/2010: Productions of: Lady Windermere's Fan, Journey's End, Bell, Book and Candle, Glorious! The Pillowman, Come on Jeeves, The Miser, A Little Like Drowning and Power |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2008 |
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Report on Year There was a season attendance of 74% which is on the low side for the GWT. Only one production broke the magic 90% attendance barrier but only two productions had low attendances although audience members who did see these shows commented on how good they were and what quality the absentees missed! Our total production costs came in under budget and again we were able to deliver several spectacles for the enjoyment of our patrons including a revolving set, rain on stage, period costume and animatronic lobsters! Testimony to the small band of backstage workers who continue to display hard work, skill and great dedication. Contrary to last year's announcement, the Youth Group was revived with a paid tutor. The group was small in number but they delivered a two-night presentation of devised drama, which was very impressive. Once again, an intrepid cast and crew braved the elements at The Minack Theatre in Cornwall. Wild Oats was presented to several thousand audience members and despite some wintry conditions at times a good time was had (most of the time) by all concerned and the Club's coffers benefited from the box office returns. Further improvements have been made to the fabric and facilities of the theatre during the close season. We have new furniture and a new servery in the John Measures Studio and a re-vamped Green Room. There is, also, a new facility for the Front of House Manager and improvements to the Coffee Bar area. The theatre celebrated its 60th. birthday in April 2008 and there was a "birthday party" lunch on Sunday, April 27. Many current members attended and it was very pleasant to see past performers who have now "retired" or moved to other parts of the country return for this event and renew their contact with us. We look forward to hosting the LTG Southern Region Conference in November. Plans for 2008/09: Productions of: A Voyage Round My Father, A Visit From Miss Prothero, Her Big Chance and A Cream Cracker Under The Settee, The Sunshine Boys, The Breath Of Life, The Dresser, Summer And Smoke, Breaking The Silence, Private Lives and Full Monty - The Musical |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2007 |
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Report on Year Another season of varied plays performed to an overall average attendance of 76.23%. On a total budget of only ?13,200 we have been offered period costume, working vehicles on stage, faithfully reproduced Greek tragedy, a hotel room which converted into a political conference, expansive sets, a guillotine, original artwork, the suggestion of a lake with water for the actors to swim in, a grand piano and a set shaped like a giant blueprint. We had mixed reactions to some of our plays but those who expressed displeasure with the choice of one play were able to be more than satisfied with others. Hopefully, that is what Club Theatre membership is all about. A membership of almost 1600 is not going to be happy with everything. One group of members who will be disappointed this coming year is the Youth Group. The leaders who have given sterling service over the past years have decided not to continue, for a variety of perfectly understandable reasons and it has not been possible to find replacement leaders who can make the regular commitment required. We are aware of how necessary it is to keep this vital part of our membership and the Drama and Club committees are still trying to see how the Youth Group can be quickly revived after as short an interruption as possible. Theatre profits have been ploughed back into the theatre during the season. In 2006 we spent approximately ?9.800 profit from the 2005 season on maintenance and on health and safety inspections as well as: a new stage manager's chair; props trolleys; new lanterns; a video projector used in three of the 06/07 season productions. This summer, 2007, money has been allocated to support the following summer work programme activities: new flats; new stage lights; a special effects haze-generator; electrical equipment; improved internal communications, including new video monitors; improved working lights for set building etc; theatre publicity and a new container for storage of set furniture. Our front of house areas are undergoing a thorough re-vamp. There will be a new kitchen and new furniture upstairs in the coffee bar and a new bar and new furniture downstairs with a new box office arrangement as well. The theatre will be celebrating its 60th. birthday in April 2008 and we will be organizing a "birthday party" lunch on Sunday, April 27. Plans for 2007/2008: Productions of: Noises Off; The Breath of Life, Mary Stuart, After Magritte and The Real Inspector Hound, Waiting for Godot, Dinner, The Winslow Boy, Rose and Wild Oats |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2006 |
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Report on Year This has been our first season as a public theatre following the granting of our Premises Licence in November 2005. Our well-developed systems for health and safety have worked successfully, although we are aware of the need to be ever vigilant. We have been able to promote the theatre more widely and we will be looking to develop our approach to publicity in the coming seasons. Becoming a public theatre has, we feel, improved our seat sales and attracted new members. However, we continue to rely essentially on our very large and appreciative regular audience of club members, whose support is highly valued. The good news is that the club membership now stands at an all-time high of 1,724 so our popularity is increasing. Mind you, as each production has a maximum of 1,200 seats available it is to be hoped they don?t all want to come to see the same production! There are no price rises for the new season, but we are finally embracing technology! Credit card payment facilities will be introduced for this coming season. Computerisation can only be a decade or so away. The theatre magazine ?Whitwords?, now has a three-man editorial committee which is producing a lively and stimulating monthly newsletter. The Youth Group has been re-organised into two groupings 6-12 and 13-18. Greater self-direction will be expected of the older members, although they will be led in their deliberations and workshops by one or two wise owls of many years experience at the GWT. The real good news is that average audiences have risen over 10% in the last four years. Last season?s average audience was 83% . A most heartening statistic and something which we hope to improve upon in the coming year. Plans for 2005/2006: Productions of: The Lady in the Van, Frozen, A Tale of Two Cities, Art, Medea, Tiny Dynamite, A Youth Group Double Bill, Feelgood, The Master Builder and The False Servant |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2005 |
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Report on Year A full year of plays at the GWT with the culmination of the season being the presentation of our June production to some 4,500 members of the public at The Minack Theatre, Cornwall in August. Despite criticism in some quarters that the choice of plays had been ?dumbed down?, nine contrasting plays were presented which appeared to appeal to most tastes. Dwindling numbers of active participants, particularly the lack of young men, makes it increasingly difficult for the Drama Committee to choose a season for the thousand or more Club members who form the majority of our audience. Each season seems to mark the departure of former actors, directors, set-builders, lighting and sound technicians. Thankfully replacements do arrive, but there seems to be an annual nett loss which makes the regular activists worry for the future. A similar situation exists for the Club Committee in recruiting the fifty or so volunteers required to staff each of our productions. Without the valued help of those who do volunteer, our seasons face the possibility of being composed of fewer plays. Development work continues in updating and improving policies and procedures directly linked to the safety and well-being of our patrons and of young people in the theatre. Our decision to apply for a Premises Licence under the provisions of The Licensing Act 2003 means that the GWT will become a Public Theatre. Hopefully, this change will enable us to promote our productions to a wider public and make seat booking much simpler. Current patrons are assured that we firmly intend to retain our ?club ethos.? Club members will keep all the privileges that come with Club membership and ways are being discussed to make such membership even more attractive. Plans for 2005/2006: Productions of: Arsenic and Old Lace, Misery, Coarse Acting Double Rill, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, On The Razzle, Betrayal, The Ragged Child (YG), The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Vincent in Brixton and Assassins. |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2004 |
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Report on Year This has been a challenging year for the theatre, both on the stage and behind the scenes. The acting membership's resources have been tested by a demanding list of plays which have required committed casts and talented production teams. Some wonderful sets have been created for these productions by a handful of builders who are rarely given a break from their labours. Those who run the theatre have had a tough time juggling their work / theatre and life balance. Increasing legislation and recommended good practice, together with general day-to-day theatre issues have provided a heavy agenda for a team of people from varied walks of life. Health and Safety, the Disability Discrimination Act, the Licensing Act, Criminal Records Bureau and the new charitable status of the GWT Limited Company have all had their impact. Nevertheless, we soldier on trying to provide our staff and audiences with a safe and quality night out. Audience reaction suggests we are succeeding. |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2003 |
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Report on Year The average attendance for the season was 71.80%, another drop from the peak of 81% recorded in 1999/2000. Reaction to the plays was as diverse as is the make-up of the membership. The Yorkshire Bard drew them out in droves in January, but the lad from the Midlands didn't have the same pulling power in June. Perhaps we holiday early down south while the sheets are still clean. Homo eroticism and smut had the viewers erecting their camps and Dorian Gray, Bent and Dead Funny were attacked, defended, damned and praised. As You Like It was given an updated, modern musical, cartoon treatment and not everybody liked that either (a lot did though). Company was highly commended, even though there were complaints that "I can't stand Sondheim". The two double-bills were well received and An Experiment With An Air Pump was praised for its ingenuity and staging although some patrons said they weren't completely sure what it was about. Quite a normal season, as it went. Most of the theatre's officers are still in place, but changes of backstage managers have occurred. After decades of industry backstage, Graham Lindsey and Heather Herridge gave up their jobs as Backstage Co-ordinator and Wardrobe Manager respectively and new managers have been appointed. Cyrus Schroff takes over from Graham and Monica Masson, who has worked for many years in the Wardrobe becomes the new Manager. Such volunteers are vital for the success of all our theatres and heartfelt thanks are offered to Graham and Heather for all their superb efforts over the years. |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2002 |
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Report on Year Another season of plays has come and gone and surely nobody in the membership could complain that every taste had not been catered for. Unfortunately, it seems that the traditional attitude of GWT patrons to attend whatever the play, may be a thing of the past. This season's average attendance was the lowest for several years. In the four seasons from 1996/97 to 1999/2000 we had seen an increase each year from 74.5% to 81.1%. 2000/01 had dropped back to 77% and this past season has gone down to 72.9%. Reasons have been voiced and it will be interesting to see what next season brings. The programme is as varied as ever and it will be artistically challenging for all concerned. The final production of the season, The Rover drew much bigger audiences when it transferred to The Minack Open Air Theatre in Cornwall for a week in July. Box Office returns indicate a very healthy profit to add to the great enjoyment that this once every-three-years venture always provides for cast, crew and supporters alike. The Club's management is even further in the charge of lady members. For the first time in my thirty-odd years at the GWT all the main offices (as listed above) are in the charge of the fair sex. They would wish, I know, to pay tribute to the five years of unstinting efforts made by our outgoing Chairman John Masson, who gave up his position and is now able to concentrate even more on all the other jobs he does in our theatre. |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2001 |
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Year Ending 31st Aug - 2000 |
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Report on Year Our fifty-second season commenced with the official opening of the new theatre extensions by the Mayor of Bexley which was attended by a largely invited audience including local dignitaries, representatives from other arts organisations and those who had contributed to the design and development of our building project. The evening ended in fine style with the opening performance of A Month In The Country. Our season of eight full-length plays was supplemented by four of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads and three evenings of One Act Plays which included Time of Tigers and Wolves and Babysitting Calvin and was preceded by our Youth Group's "Showbusiness" compilation. The annual change of personnel included the retirement of Derrick Johnson who has served the theatre as Drama Secretary for eighteen years. His contribution to the Theatre's progress and smooth running is impossible to calculate, but it has been immense. There has been a continued feeling of progress throughout the theatre in the last twelve months. The membership drive has proved a success and we are almost to our target of 1,000 members. More members seem to be taking an active part in the running of the theatre whether veterans or new recruits. Overall attendance for the 1999-2000 season rose from 76.6% in 98-99 to 81.4%, a figure which many a professional theatre would envy. We continue to focus on these aims for the coming season together with our development plan for the improvement of the theatre's facilities. Re-roofing has taken place. There is improved backstage storage, re-laid water mains, partial re-surfacing of the car park and general interior redecoration. Congratulations are extended to John Measures who, in the Arts Council of Bexley Awards for 2000 was awarded the Festival Trophy for his outstanding contribution to the Arts in Bexley. A founder member of the GWT, John remains active on our behalf in his 80th. year! |
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